Torvalds gives props to Microsoft for sharing
Linus Torvalds, leader of the Linux kernel project that's among the best-known open-source threats to Windows, has words of praise for Microsoft's announcement last week that it would share some previously hard-to-get technology with open-source programmers.
"I may make fun of Microsoft occasionally, and yeah, I think they do stupid things at times, but I think this one was a step in the right direction," Torvalds said in an e-mail.
"Could it have been even more? Sure. But give them credit for at least seeming to open up a little, even if it probably was at least partially ."
Torvalds' opinion goes right down the middle of the mixed reactions various people in the open-source software area had to the news.
Some praised Microsoft for making it easier for programmers to get access to technology such as communication protocols and file formats, and to get their software to work better with Microsoft's; others griped about Microsoft's continued desire for open-source companies to obtain patent licenses.
Torvalds isn't in the castigation camp. "Does it mean people should trust and love them? No," he said. "But I also don't see the point in flaming them over what is clearly at least an incremental improvement."
Stephen Shankland writes about a wide range of technology and products, but has a particular focus on browsers and digital photography. He joined CNET News in 1998 and since then also has covered Google, Yahoo, servers, supercomputing, Linux and open-source software, and science. E-mail Stephen, or follow him on Twitter at http://www.twitter.com/stshank. 
Is it yet another Embrace, Extend, Extinguish attempt that has set the computer industry back just for the benefit of MS?
Is it just to get anti-trust regulators off their back?
Or is Microsoft finally going to join the 21st century?
Time will tell, but until then caution is in order.
With a little luck, it may become (eventually) a new direction, where MSFT actually has and adheres to open standards.
It could also be a big fat trap, but if coders go in knowing this, they can (IMHO) avoid the worst of them.
/P
And how is it that Linus Torvalds, founder of one of the most successful software projects that happens to be freely shared, is expressing his selfishness? By thinking only of himself, and being happy that Microsoft's position puts *him* in the clear. But this is historically consistent with Torvald's behavior: he is not hoarder--he does not attempt to build his own stocks by depriving others of theirs, nor does he prevent others from growing their stocks who would like to do so by sharing the work he's done. Those behaviors represent a different kind of selfishness--meanness.
In my opinion, anything that Microsoft does that falls short of the published open source minimums is...sub-minimal. Torvalds is happy because his standards are lower--he cares more about himself than his community. But other people have higher standards--we also care about the community at least as much as we care for ourselves. And Micrsoft has done nothing for the open source community that includes those who make their living by developing, distributing, and supporting open source software.
More at http://opensource.org/node/257
On the other hand, I personally remain strongly cautious and ask others to do the same. I see it the same as a previous commenter does - it's a potential patent trap, a trojan horse, a bait covering a sharp hook that just looks good but is certain death to those who take the bait. Smart people are going to wait and see if there is a fishing line attached to that offering.
- BEWARE GREEKS BEARING GIFTS
- by taggartromkey February 25, 2008 1:27 PM PST
- Hmmm...didn't we all hear this story before. Yes we have. The last part of the Illiad by Homer. This time the trojan horse is them beginning to share software and code.
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(15 Comments)Mr.Torvalds like an old sooth sayer of old i have this to say to you: BEWARE GREEKS BEARING GIFTS!!!