Topic: Microsoft News - Flying pigs seen - The Netherworld is frozen over (Read 2404 times)

Nemesis · « **on:** July 20, 2009, 12:28:56 pm »

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Microsoft is releasing three Microsoft-developed Linux drivers to the Linux community for possible inclusion in the Linux source tree.

This is the first time Microsoft has made Microsoft-developed code available directly to the Linux community. The Redmondians have released various pieces of code under different open-source licenses over the past few years, but this is the first time Microsoft has released Linux code and the first time the company has used the GPL license to release code, I believe. (Anyone know otherwise?) My ZDNet blogging colleague Jason Perlow says Microsoft previously released part of the Linux Integration Components under the GPL, so this isn’t technically the first-ever GPL’d code from the Softies.

Bonk · « **Reply #1 on:** July 20, 2009, 03:53:51 pm »

If you can't beat 'em, join 'em. OSS is the future. It must be. This is encouraging news.

Nemesis · « **Reply #2 on:** July 20, 2009, 06:16:07 pm »

marstone · « **Reply #3 on:** July 20, 2009, 08:35:46 pm »

Well, you know Microsoft probably put a backdoor in the code. Or at least their usual easy hack ability included there.

If you can't beat them, sabotage them.

But nice to see it happening. Now if they can only get some of the API link.

Dash Jones · « **Reply #4 on:** July 21, 2009, 07:20:59 pm »

Beware Trojans bearing gifts

toasty0 · « **Reply #5 on:** July 22, 2009, 07:50:17 am »

Quote from: Dash Jones on July 21, 2009, 07:20:59 pm

Beware Trojans bearing gifts

"Beware gifts needing Tojans" is my motto.

Wraith 413 · « **Reply #6 on:** July 22, 2009, 10:05:49 pm »

Quote from: toasty0 on July 22, 2009, 07:50:17 am

Quote from: Dash Jones on July 21, 2009, 07:20:59 pm
Beware Trojans bearing gifts

"Beware gifts needing Tojans" is my motto.

I thought that was DH's motto?!?

Nemesis · « **Reply #7 on:** July 23, 2009, 07:24:00 am »

Quote from: Bonk on July 20, 2009, 03:53:51 pm

If you can't beat 'em, join 'em. OSS is the future. It must be. This is encouraging news.

Maybe not so encouraging. The reason for the code being released has now been revealed.

Link to full article

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As revealed by Stephen Hemminger - a principal engineer with open-source network vendor Vyatta - a network driver in Microsoft's Hyper-V used open-source components licensed under the GPL and statically linked to binary parts. The GPL does not permit the mixing of closed and open-source elements.

They didn't have much choice unless they wanted to risk a high profile fight in court challenging the validity of the GPL.

The GPL has been challenged in court several times (and more such cases avoided by the violators) and has never failed even in part. The key difference between the GPL and the typical EULA is that the GPL extends rights to those using GPL'd code that the law does not provide where a EULA tries to remove some of your rights under the law.

It seems that the pigs were not flying after all but had been catapulted.

Nemesis · « **Reply #8 on:** July 24, 2009, 09:26:26 pm »

Link to source

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Microsoft's decision was not based on any perceived obligations tied to the GPLv2 license. For business reasons and for customers, we determined it was beneficial to release the drivers to the kernel community under the GPLv2 license through a process that involved working closely with Greg Kroah-Hartman, who helped us understand the community norms and licensing options surrounding the drivers.

The primary reason we made this determination in this case is because GPLv2 is the preferred license required by the Linux community for their broad acceptance and engagement. For us to participate in the Linux Driver Project, GPLv2 was the best option that allowed us to enjoy the tremendous offer of community support. The community's response even within a few hours of posting the code was welcoming and we appreciate it greatly.

We arrived at the decision to release the drivers to the community under the GPLv2 through this process. Both Greg K-H and Jim Zemlin of the Linux Foundation have reiterated that this is the same process that other companies follow when deciding how to release new device drivers to the Linux community.

That post was by:

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About Sam Ramji
Sam Ramji is the Senior Director of Platform Strategy leading Microsoft’s platform strategy efforts across the company, including long-term strategic planning in the Windows Server and Tools organization. Sam’s primary focus is to drive Microsoft’s Linux and Open Source Strategy, working together with Microsoft technology development teams and open source communities to build interoperable solutions. Prior to his current role at Microsoft, Sam was a Director of Emerging Business working on the Silicon Valley Campus where he managed relationships with Venture Capitalists and entrepreneurs. Prior to joining Microsoft, Sam led technical product strategy at BEA Systems, engineering teams building large-scale applications on Open Source software (at Ofoto.com) as well as hands-on development of client, client-server, and distributed applications on Unix, Windows, and Macintosh at prior companies. Sam holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Cognitive Science from the University of California at San Diego, and is a member of the Institute for Generative Leadership.

Bonk · « **Reply #9 on:** July 25, 2009, 09:35:47 am »

Still, I consider this good news. It gives me hope that OSS will eventually win. "Win" is not the right word, but you know what I mean, coming from a science perspective.

toasty0 · « **Reply #10 on:** July 25, 2009, 09:51:07 am »

Triumph might too strong a word too...well, unless it's a 'Win"

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