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Microsoft Claims 'We Love Open Source'

Posted by Soulskill on from the admiral-ackbar-unavailable-for-comment dept.

jbrodkin writes "Everyone in the Linux world remembers Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer's famous comment in 2001 that Linux is a 'cancer' that threatened Microsoft's intellectual property. While Microsoft hasn't formally rescinded its declaration that Linux violates its patents, at least one Microsoft executive admits that the company's earlier battle stance was a mistake. Microsoft wants the world to understand, whatever its issues with Linux, it no longer has any gripe toward open source."

4 of 464 comments (clear)

  1. Of course for MS, Linux isn't the threat.,.. by DiamondGeezer · · Score: -1, Troll

    ...OSX on Macs is the real threat. How is Linux going to win when most students take Macs to college, then Windows on laptops with Linux on nearly 0%

    Riddle me that.

    I think KDE4 and Gnome have ruined Linux on the desktop for a very long time.

    Oh and don't bother modding this down as a troll or flamebait Its a serious question.

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    Tubby or not tubby. Fat is the question
  2. Re:Riiight. by h4rr4r · · Score: 0, Troll

    Seems pretty accurate. What is the misinterpretation? That is is not an infectious disease on open source? That is not a fucking trap?

  3. Re:Meet the 4 stages by stuckinphp · · Score: -1, Troll

    naive douche

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    if only
  4. Re:Uh huh by Tuan121 · · Score: 0, Troll

    Microsoft has been and remains one of the great enemies of open source.

    Perhaps it is a necessary enemy. A large model like Microsoft was absolutely necessary to allow software to get to the stage that open source could actually become a viable alternative.

    You can complain all you want and say that Microsoft is an enemy of open source, but the fact of the matter is open source wouldn't be anywhere without Microsoft (or insert giant-corporation here).