Microsoft To Publish Linux

[Richard Meeker]

Now Now Joe, Windows 2000 is not a rewrite of Windows NT 4.0.  It is just
merely Windows NT 4.0 with Plug N Pray support, and tools with a few
"different" features :).

I would be very surprised to see Microsoft port any of its apps over to
linux.  I think that it's very funny that they ported IE to HPUX and
Solaris, but they made sure to leave out Linux.

Personally, I don't really trust the article either.  After all, Microsoft
made false statements about releasing Windows 95.  They originally announced
a release date of January 1995 and then pushed it back to August 1995.
Well, at this time IBM was preparing to release OS/2 3.0 (Warp) onto the
shelves, and they were committed to getting their product out on the shelves
before Microsoft could ship Windows 95.  Then, naturally, IBM releases a
rather buggy version of OS/2 3.0 before Microsoft's first intended release
date.  Hmmm. . .  you do the math.

Also, you're absolutely right on another note - Microsoft WILL have to
follow the rules for GPL.  Frankly, they will never make Office 2000 into
GPL which I assume means that they have to sell it rather than give it away
for a little while.  Another thing to keep in mind is that Microsoft could
NOT handle putting together a Linux distribution, and then having someone
subtract a few things out, add a few of their own, and then turn around and
sell it as their own distribution (and it's legal).  Microsoft would never
stop pouting at that point.  GPL is just a beautiful thing, it is the one
idea that can totally wipe out Microsoft.

Rick Meeker

-----Original Message-----
From: owner-kclug at illiana.net [mailto:owner-kclug at illiana.net]On Behalf
Of Joe Brouhard
Sent: Tuesday, August 22, 2000 9:39 AM
To: kclug at kclug.org
Subject: RE: [kclug - Microsoft To Publish Linux]

Valid arguements here, Walter..

However, Microsoft *HAS* to follow the GPL agreement, otherwise the Justice
Department will give them hell again. The Courts *DID* touch them.. Read the
press release earlier this year.. I think it was June.  Microsoft *IS*
Slated to be broken in to two, but that's on hold pending Appeals, which is
now starting to dimmer in sight, since Justice Department wants the Supreme
Court to review this, instead of the Appealates Court (Which means MS will
lose if it goes to SCourt.)

As for Microsoft writing software, I've heard rumors of them porting their
Backoffice products to Linux for years.  Haven't seen *ONE* solid thing to
prove this yet either.  If  they do port Office 2000, it's probably because
SunMicrosystem's StarOffice... Other than that, i don't really know.
Microsoft is a giant that needs to find it's own sandbox, and stay in it,
but here's the irony of this all... They did help the Linux world by
developing software that was so buggy that quite a few people got so
frusterated, and turned to UNIX/LINUX for solitude.  UNIX/LINUX is more
stable server wise than NT Server.. Trust me, I know since I run a NT Box
around here, and studying for my MCSE in both NT4 and 2000 (2000 is
pratically a re-write.. nothing's the same in it it would appear).

Microsoft creating it's own distro of Linux?  I don't think so.  Distro of
Windows for Linux (like the KDE Desktop)?  Possibly.  I just don't see them
wasting time and money making their own Linux (Microsoft WinLinux? <G>)

Just my 2 cents :-)

Joe Brouhard
joeb at armada.homeip.net