Today, Microsoft released 20,000 lines of source code to contribute to the Linux Kernel. The source code includes 3 device drivers for Linux, introduced to the Linux community to be included in the system development tree. The code was released under GPL v2.

This is probably one of the steps that will assure better integration between Windows and Linux systems. Is this a good step? Yes, indeed, because it is one of the steps that will assure Microsoft technologies to be better supported on the Linux system. One of the interesting elements in this case appears to be Hyper-V - the release of the source code will assure better interoperability when Linux runs on top of Hyper-V.

For more information, take a look at this Channel 9 video.

That's...interesting to say the least.

I think if Microsoft stays as merely that, a contributor, then it'll be fine. But any further and I'd worry.

WTF. I'm really shocked by this one. :|

I guess it's a clever move though, in the long run.

Now we just need apple to contri...

Never mind.

This post has been edited by gabehabe: 20 Jul, 2009 - 10:09 AM

I'm sure all of the FreeBSD that needed to be contributed already has been

Lol... right...

It is great the Microsoft is contributing to Linux, maybe Linux people won't hate Microsoft so much.

I knew this would happen years ago, just didn't know when.

Microsoft never ceases to amaze me, first they start releasing source code, then the Community Promise Patenting to C# and CLI, now code for the Linux kernel. Maybe they're really trying to finally open up to the open source community (it's about damn time if you ask me)

Satan called, apparently Hell has frozen over.



On a more serious note, this looks like a win win.

I heard about this sometime back. I think it is a small step in the right direction. Hopefully something good will come from this and Microsoft will become more involved in the open source community.

I think it's going to annoy lots of people, which is fantastic in itself.

This is great this move benefits Microsoft and the Linux kernel. It'll be Interesting to see what else Microsoft will bring to the table

I would love a Linux version of IE (Without having to run wine). Even an IE light - would make testing my web apps a lot easier.

I agree 100%! haha

Now I can't complain about how Microsoft stole code from Unix years ago...

*sigh* I guess this makes us even. Though I am wondering how many lines that they stole, compared to how many lines they've contributed... nah, nevermind. I'm actually glad to see the gap getting smaller.

For me, even more surprising than the fact that they submitted the code, is the fact that it was accepted. I bet the team who accepted the code was hard pressed to turn it away at 1st, based on the submitter. On top of that, the code was good enough to be accepted! I'm not saying that Microsoft codes bad, just saying that it's a alien environment, so it's great to see them able to code for it.

This really is win-win.

To be exact on what code was released, it was representing the Hyper-V Linux Integration Components.

I may sound paranoid, but I don't trust Microsoft. They spent years calling the GPL a virus and making threats about suing companies using Linux and not paying royalties; which they acted upon with TomTom. If Microsoft would sue over a frivolous patent like FAT, what's to stop them from suing over something more complex like .NET? Microsoft has a long history of abusing their monopoly. I could easily see Microsoft taking companies to court over this or Mono claiming that "well you see judge, this piece doesn't apply to the community promise" and try to find a way to weasel around their prior commitments.

It's not that I'm anti-MS. I've used Windows for years and some of their products like Office and .NET are amazing software. I don't hate Microsoft, but that doesn't mean I want them to be a monopoly and trample Linux. I just want them to play fair. If these contributions are genuine, then I'd welcome it. But given how they just sued TomTom, I find that hard to believe. You can't say you'll play nice with open source companies one day and then sue them the next.

For all the times I've had to use Linux to mount Vista to make it stop crashing or recover important data I would see it as a smart move on their part too. But yeah, I would be suspicious of Microsoft editing Linux's source code. Whether or not you love or hate them, if you heard Coke had started editing Pepsi's recipe what would you think? What do they have to gain. But there are review committees that review and test code before it is allowed to be put in the kernel. Linus wasn't dumb

Please don't bring Mono into this, and please don't turn this into a Windows vs Linux thread.

The code Microsoft submitted in this case helps Linux perform better on Microsoft's Hyper-V product.

I'm as paranoid as anyone, but Microsoft would be stupid to sue over something like this considering that they contributed it and considering that it encourages people to ultimately go with a Microsoft solution even if they are using Linux...

This post has been edited by Tom9729: 22 Jul, 2009 - 10:58 AM

While the value of the contribution cannot be disputed, there now appears to be some question as to the driving motivations behind the decision.

If what is stated is correct, MS had used GPL governed open source code in the drivers initially - obligating them to release under the GPL as well, or risk litigation.

Frankly, I'm more interested in the result as opposed to the motivation (meaning I see the release as a good thing despite the reasoning) - although it may not foster that 'warm and fuzzy' trust feeling.

http://www.osnews.com/story/21882/Microsof...f_GPL_Violation

http://www.theregister.co.uk/2009/07/23/mi..._gpl_violation/

I caught the story on /. here:

http://news.slashdot.org/story/09/07/23/13...o-GPL-Violation

where (predictably) it is fostering some interesting tinfoil hat viewpoints.