Topic: The 17th biggest Linux kernel contributer is . . .

[Nemesis]

Link to full article

For contributions made to the kernel since version 2.6.36, Microsoft ranks 17th, with Redmond's contribution estimated at 1 per cent of the whole. The top contributing companies were Red Hat, Intel, and Novell. Samsung and Texas Instruments were also named as fast-growing contributors, reflecting an increase in interest in Linux for mobile and embedded systems.

The report found that, contrary to arguments often made by commercial software houses (including Microsoft), the vast majority of Linux kernel development work is carried out by people paid by their employers to work on it. In all, the Linux Foundation estimates that 75 per cent of development work is done by salaried staff, even if they assume unknown volunteers are working on their own time.

Now why does Microsoft contribute to what they have called "a toy OS", Anti-American, Communist and viral?

[knightstorm]

Maybe the contributions are being made in microsoft's name.

[Javora]

I think Microsoft is doing the same thing with Linux that they did with Apple back in the 1990's.  Microsoft is helping Linux to keep from having monopoly issues.  Plus I think that Microsoft realizes that there is real value to having Linux running on the server side of the Internet.

[Nemesis]

Microsoft is helping Linux to keep from having monopoly issues.

BING!  You got it.

Plus I think that Microsoft realizes that there is real value to having Linux running on the server side of the Internet.

They "sell" Novell SuSe Linux.  What they sell is a "certificate" that you present to Novell and get Novell SuSe.  I believe that they do so to avoid being considered a Linux distributor subject to the licensing terms of the software (GPL).  I think that in court that would fail however, in my opinion once they sell the certificate Novell is merely the MS agent delivering the product.  I've compared it to a drug dealer who sells a "certificate" that you take elsewhere to get the actual drug, would a court NOT convict the certificate seller of selling the drug?.

[Centurus]

I wouldn't be surprised if Microsoft is testing some parts of its own code secretly using Linux.  I'm not saying that's what's going on, but I'm saying I wouldn't be surprised.

[Javora]

What a interesting thought using Linux as a test platform for Windows.  They may also work on compatibility issues with the two operating systems.

[Nemesis]

They may also work on compatibility issues with the two operating systems.

Or the reverse. 

It isn't paranoia when they have done it before.