I don't think the FOSS community [i]needs[/i] Microsoft anymore than the majority [i]wanting[/i] Microsoft. What I am a afriad of though is the fact that if you threaten these companies with patent violations they are going to take steps to perhaps stay out of Microsofts way. I believe, however, that threats are all these are. Microsoft will have a hard time with these overly vague claims. What I am scared of is that more companies will sign agreements with Microsoft over these claims.
we will have to see how things go.
When Novell and Microsoft came out and said they were making a deal, I didn't think much of it. SuSE wasn't my favorite distro and I figured they only made the deal in order to help grow market share. Then Microsoft comes out and announces they have suddenly discovered over 200 un-named patents and they start making deals with companies that could help grow the Open Source movement for the better. Microsoft may act like they are doing this for the sake of the companies and the consumers of those companies but anyone who is logical about things will realize that Microsoft is wanting to shut out this great Open Source movement.
I have been predicting, along with the other users of Open Source software, that this movement will win in the end; however, I am starting to get scared. But I will say, Bring it on Bill Gates & Co.
Steve
Slashdot Mirror
I don't think the FOSS community [i]needs[/i] Microsoft anymore than the majority [i]wanting[/i] Microsoft. What I am a afriad of though is the fact that if you threaten these companies with patent violations they are going to take steps to perhaps stay out of Microsofts way. I believe, however, that threats are all these are. Microsoft will have a hard time with these overly vague claims. What I am scared of is that more companies will sign agreements with Microsoft over these claims. we will have to see how things go.
When Novell and Microsoft came out and said they were making a deal, I didn't think much of it. SuSE wasn't my favorite distro and I figured they only made the deal in order to help grow market share. Then Microsoft comes out and announces they have suddenly discovered over 200 un-named patents and they start making deals with companies that could help grow the Open Source movement for the better. Microsoft may act like they are doing this for the sake of the companies and the consumers of those companies but anyone who is logical about things will realize that Microsoft is wanting to shut out this great Open Source movement. I have been predicting, along with the other users of Open Source software, that this movement will win in the end; however, I am starting to get scared. But I will say, Bring it on Bill Gates & Co. Steve