A Fresh Look at Microsoft and Open Source
    We at 
Redmond have been semi-fans of what Microsoft is doing with open 
  source interoperability. Clearly, Microsoft has a Windows-first approach to 
  interoperability and management, such as its support for Centeris, Centrify 
  and Vintela (now owned by Quest), which all do a fine job of helping Windows 
  tools like AD to manage Linux, Unix and other systems (even the Mac!). 
And Microsoft's détente with Novell is very real, unlike the deal with 
  Sun which seems to have turned into nothing besides an agreement not to publicly 
  flog each other.
Microsoft critics continue 
  to harp on the flaws, arguing that Microsoft doesn't "get" open 
  source licensing and, as a commercial (read: capitalist) concern, is trying 
  to define (read: control) how interoperability happens.
The critics are absolutely right, but so is Microsoft. It's doing the best 
  it can given the limits of self-interest. But that's just my opinion. Tell us 
  what you think at [email protected].
 
	
Posted by Doug Barney on August 27, 2007