Microsoft briefy ignores beef with Linux, signs IP deal with Xandros

It seems the love / hate relationship between Microsoft and all things open source is swinging back to the mushy side of the equation, and while this isn't exactly the retaliation we were expecting after getting blasted by Linus Torvalds, it's intriguing nonetheless. In an agreement that eerily resembles that drawn up with Novell, Microsoft has reportedly "announced a broad collaboration agreement based on a set of technical, business, marketing, and intellectual property commitments" with Linux platform provider Xandros. The deal seeks to provide customers working in mixed operating system environments with "enhanced interoperability, more effective systems management solutions, and intellectual property assurances," and the four major focal points include systems management interoperability, server interoperability, office document compatibility, and intellectual property assurance. Interestingly, that also means that Redmond won't be suing Xandros for so-called patent infringement anytime soon, and the partnership even suggests that Microsoft will be "endorsing Xandros Server and Desktop as a preferred Linux distribution." So while we may never know Microsoft's true feelings towards the passionate open source community, there should be a whole lotta love spread to Xandros customers over the next five years.

[Via InformationWeek]

[Ryhan @ Jun 4th 2007 4:30PM]

Tisk tisk, ther's old Microsoft atit again... which is hardly worth mentioning actually.

[Dave @ Jun 4th 2007 4:32PM]

Can you say, "Divide and conquer?"

[Ryhan @ Jun 4th 2007 4:44PM]

How about "cha-ching" and conquer?

[paloooz @ Jun 4th 2007 4:34PM]

Show me the patents or shut up.

[OddManOut @ Jun 4th 2007 4:43PM]

It's not so far fetched or surprising. You can currently use a Xandros server as a Domain controller in an active directory environment (good for fault tolerance, virus proofing your domain). I'm guessing they had to come to an understanding with MS before they did that. Sounds like they're just expanding pre-existing cooperative efforts...

[telepheedian @ Jun 4th 2007 4:57PM]

All I can say is NO! Buying products and turning them into cash cows is what Microsoft is good at, and the few open "cool" products that Microsoft has will be closed in the future in order to force vendor lock-in. Take Windows Media for instance. Why else would they offer a free converter app on their website, vs. charging like DivX or Apple. Not much good can come of this.

[Ivand @ Jun 4th 2007 5:16PM]

remember kids, never form a "partnership" with Microsoft

[Ryhan @ Jun 4th 2007 5:28PM]

RE: (awkward) leg crossing between steve jobs + bill gates...

"remember kids, never form a "partnership" with Microsoft" -Ivand

Hahahahahahahahaha!!!!! :D

[Neebs @ Jun 4th 2007 5:25PM]

"lol wut"

[mathew @ Jun 4th 2007 5:44PM]

It's all about preventing Xandros from being able to use any GNU tools after GPL3 is finalized, hence putting them out of business.

Sure, they're burying the hatchet--in Xandros's back.

[Joshua Fan @ Jun 4th 2007 6:18PM]

Microsoft may officially hate Linux, but they secretly acknowledge their own software is unreliable (who in their right mind wouldn't?). In fact, Hotmail and other MSN sites run on Linux servers.

[k0a10 @ Jun 4th 2007 6:36PM]

I think Hotmail used to run on BSD (another open source operating system) but a few years ago they finally switched to Windows servers.

Anyway, I'll believe MS is accepting free/open source when they start working with Debian/Ubuntu and Red Hat/Fedora.

[jptech @ Jun 4th 2007 6:49PM]

simple, Novell really owns unix IP. MS signs a big 'deal' with them. Xandros had certain IP that MS wants, Ms sign's a big 'deal' with them too.

Microsoft is trying to 'buy' Linux out of the market.

"if you can't beat them out, breed them out." - King Edward I of Longshanks

[k0a10 @ Jun 4th 2007 8:21PM]

Novell owns the UNIX trademark, but there's very little IP in there, most of it is textbook from the 60s and 70s. Even if it weren't so, MS would have an impossible task, there is no way that cat is going back in the bag and I would expect MS to have to keep giving in to customers who are seeing the light.

[Randavance @ Jun 5th 2007 1:16AM]

Microsoft has realized something.

They're loosing the business desktop.

Sure, lots of companies still use Win2000 or WinXP. But Vista is a bad business move that no is moving to.

As a result companies are now considering using a GNU/Linux system on there desktops, they save money on the software and hardware.

If I remember correctly Xandros has a pretty decent desktop that's made to give a familiar feel to Windows and works nicely in a small business or home environment.

If Microsoft will probably do a lot for the FOSS community promoting the GNU/Linux desktop environment, but at the same time make back that profit they're loosing for it not being there system on the desktops.

I hate Microsoft, my father hates Microsoft, my late Grandfather hated Microsoft (MS-DOS), but they aren't out to get rid of Linux (yet), just take advantage and milk it until it's nothing more than a few hippies like myself protesting closed source code.