The big news this week, if you keep tabs on Linux and open source software, is the Microsoft announcement that it is becoming a platinum member of the Linux Foundation.
This development comes 15 years after former CEO Steve Ballmer described Linux as cancer.
Of course, there are still people in the community that consider Microsoft an enemy. And while opinions on this latest move from Redmond are still mixed, the executive director of the Linux Foundation does not see any conspiracy in this.
Jim Zemlin believes that Microsoft is a completely different company now, and not at all one that is interested in destroying the Linux platform:
“First of all, when you join the Linux Foundation, you’re obligated to support the mission of our organization, which is to support the growth of Linux and open source. And Microsoft has not only committed to doing that as a part of our organization, but I’ve got to tell you, they’re pretty much already doing it.
In a world where things are in the cloud, everybody has a computer, there is too much software to be written for even Microsoft, with all their engineers, to write it on their own. It ain’t gonna happen.”
Ain’t gonna happen!
Sure, joining the Linux Foundation is not an isolated move from Microsoft — the company has made various effort to get closer to open source software by open sourcing several of its solutions. Namely, products like .NET, PowerShell, and even part of the engine that powers the Edge web browser.
Even Windows 10, the top product from Redmond, comes with an Ubuntu subsystem. In an effort that Microsoft describes as bringing together the two worlds.
So yes, a lot has changed for the better in the world of technology lately, and a lot of it is for the better!
source:windows10update
