If you read my blog then you know I have been critical sometimes of the decisions that Microsoft have taken in the past about how open it has been about certain aspects of its technology. Dave and myself have discussed and disagreed about this a number of times but I’ve always respected his point of view. Also, you’ll know that I’m fan of the Port25 guys who are quietly working away on Open Source/Linux and interoperability issues. They have been reaching out to some of the Open Source communities as well.
I don’t think Microsoft is evil and it’s been a journey for me to learn more about it. I believe Microsoft is learning to be more open and seeing Open Source increasingly as an opportunity than a threat. I think it has learnt from its legal battles with the US Government and the EC. It was apparent to me from it’s rather gracious acceptance of the final EC decision.
The Port 25 guys have a blog post highlighting a new Strategic plan to make much of its documentation , APIs and protocols for many of its major technologies available to developers for free. This is great news!
However, interestingly this news has not been highlighted on any other Microsoft blog. In fact I can’t remember anyone else even talking about the work of things like the Open Source Software Lab at Microsoft. When people at Microsoft talk about being able to convey better their own story, yet they fail to talk about their own good work in trying to be more open and work collaboratively.
Ah well, maybe I’ll have to keep highlighting this good work for Microsoft!!!
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February 25th, 2008 at 10:22 pm
Vijay,
while I did not blog on the labs, I did post about the new openness - just for you - http://uksbsguy.com/blogs/doverton/archive/2008/02/21/something-for-vijay-microsoft-introduces-new-interoperability-principles.aspx
Good shout out on the labs though
February 26th, 2008 at 10:49 pm
I’m glad that you’re noticing our effort!
I work in the Open Source Software Labs at Microsoft, as the Community PM.
While it may seem that we’re not making much progress, alot of the change is percolating in the company in some fundemental places where you can’t yet see. Ideas, attitudes and policies are changing in ways that allow us to interact with open source projects like never before.
Take, for example, today. We’re hosting folks from the Apache Foundation this week in the Windows Server 2008 Compatibility labs. We have people from IIS, Core Networking, and Visual Studio come out and help address many issues that the Apache developers are having. The teams are extremely happy to come out and participate, and are holding nothing back whatsoever.
Think back a couple of years… Who could have possibly imagined that we could even do this, never mind having *enthusiastic* help from inside the company.
I think the hard part about getting the word out is that there are literally thousands of MS folks blogging… All related to the stuff in their own part of the universe. It’s kinda like yelling in a crowded stadium. Some might hear, but it takes a really long time to get to everyone.
Garrett Serack
February 26th, 2008 at 11:06 pm
Hi Garrett,
I appreciate your comments and I certainly think it’s one of the most important areas in Microsoft! It’s one team I would most like to meet. I’ll be watching for the progress you guys are making and I’m looking forward to seeing the results of it. At the end of the day customers want solutions that interoperate. The work your doing will bring good things to Microsoft and I’m sure new opportunities will open up.