Microsoft not happy with tools add-on

Microsoft loves developers, just ask CEO Steve Ballmer. But while the company has been making some of its tools available for free, it also likes to draw the line on just how much gets given away.

According to a report in The Register, the software company has taken an aversion to TestDriven.Net, an add-on to its Visual Studio developer tools. In particular, Microsoft doesn't like the fact that the software works with Visual Studio Express, the free version of the tools. E-mail exchanges between Microsoft and the small, U.K.-based software maker have gotten increasingly testy, having reached the "cease and desist" letter stage.

The dispute seems to center on the fact that TestDriven works with Express, rather than just with the paid versions of Visual Studio. According to the e-mails, Microsoft has given TestDriven's creators until Wednesday to remove that feature from its product.

[Luna M]

Make your own product worth the cost, don't step on startups

Microsoft's "if we can't do it, nobody can" attitude continues to astound and aggravate. This is corporate bullying, plain and simple.

[mr. cynical]

Puleeze

There's a reason for "free" versions. They aren't as full featured as the pay version. If something changes that, then it's wrong.

Some people need to realize IT COSTS MONEY to develop software and run a business. Want to code for free and live off some other revenue stream? Go for it. But don't blame MSFT for trying to protect what IT PAID for to develop.

[Thomas, David]

Depressing

Last night, I watched the D5 interview of Steve Jobs, and Bill
Gates. I was left with a sense of gratitude for both
men. This has been in direct contradiction of my feeling for
Microsofts past actions, and I felt I was finally able to let go of
deeply rooted distrust of Microsoft.

Unfortunately,
especially in Microsofts case, the man is one thing, the company
is another.

I followed the link, to the Register, on this story.
It is a sad comment on Microsoft to take this stance. The
developer used Visual Studio Express, and information from the
MSDN site, to create his add-on. In doing so, he won
two MVP awards from Microsoft ... and a
lawsuit. Incredible, incredulous ... flabbergasting.

[Thomas, David]

Resistence Is Futile

I strongly recommend all developers to read the
email correspondence between Microsoft, and Jamie Cansdale.

[Thomas, David]

Link to page, containing email links

http://www.theregister.co.uk/2007/06/05/microsoft_mvp_threats
/

[Unmindfulawe]

Microsoft=3rdGradeBully;

Here's my take on this situation.

Microsoft = 3rdGradeBully;
Linux-FOSS = SharingAndCaring;

3rdGradeBully - "Wait you can't share my candy it's mine."
SharingAndCaring - "Who wants to share all of my candy? It's really sweet."

Microsoft needs to grow up; This is one more reason to like Linux and FOSS.

[t8]

MS stifles innovation

Perfect example of how Microsoft stifles innovation.
A world apart from Open Source.

They make it to hard to innovate their stuff. Why bother anyway?

[Mergatroid Mania]

Any copyrights or patents infringed?

It seems to me that if the company is not infringing on ony of MicroBrain's copyrights or patents, then it's none of their business what this company's software works with.
I hope they stick up for thenselves and tell MicroBrain where to shove it.

[Renegade Knight]

The UK Firm Should...

Respond the same way Microsoft does to it's customers.

"Thank you for the email with product suggestions. We have refereed this to our development committee for thier consideration. No further action is necesary on your part. We will contact you if it's needed. Again thank you for the email."