August 11th, 2004
Is Microsoft responding to more open source heat?
Are you looking for a sub-$50 copy of Microsoft Windows XP or a $2.50 version of MS Office? No, don’t click the cheap software link in the latest spam scam. Instead, you’ll need to move to a developing nation like Thailand, Maylaysia, or Indonesia. China, however, which is home to a new, IBM-HP-Novell-Intel backed open source alliance, looks like it’s going to miss the cut. Suggesting that the effort — which involves substantial discounts to certain schools – is part of a Microsoft program to increase global computer use and literacy, Maggie Wilderotter, senior vice president for the worldwide public sector at Microsoft, was quoted as saying "We have really tried to look at our engagement through a more holistic approach." But, given their economic status, the same countries are fertile ground for the fomentation of open source movements and Microsoft is clearly looking to cut off that interest at the pass. Thailand for example has also launched a push towards Linux. Wilderotter used piracy as another justification for Microsoft’s strategy, but also said "We are competing with Linux and will continue to do so."
Meanwhile, Microsoft continues to wet more of its toes in the open source waters. Though Microsoft’s shared-source license is a far cry from open source, the company is making the source code behind some add-ons to its Sharepoint collaboration server available under the license. In a public and very open-source-like statement that may clear the way for unbridled use and modification by more than just academic institutions, Microsoft Sharepoint technical product manager Mike Fitzmaurice is quoted by InfoWorld as saying "In essence, we’re agreeing to share the code with everyone else but we’re not going to control what they do with it." The add-ons — known as Web Part Toolkits — are for connecting SharePoint to remote portlets via Web services protocols and for integrating Sharepoint with SAP’s iViews technology. The move could increase interest in Sharepoint and may be a Microsoft acknowledgement that open sourcing a technology is the easiest way to accelerate its adoption. Both the remote portlets and SAP Web parts are available for download from GotDotNet.com. Is Microsoft feeling the open source heat? You decide.
