Microsoft Patches Linux; Linus Responds

[ Thanks to An Anonymous Reader for this link. ]

"You can’t help but notice the very first line, “a break from the ordinary.” That’s right. Normally Microsoft is trying to destroy Linux and free software. They hate the GPL license which they call a virus, a cancer, the destroyer of intellectual property, and even anti-American. It’s also just that - a break. Nothing has changed in Redmond, the company still hates Linux and they still want to destroy it.

"So why the patch? Well, it contains three drivers which will enhance the performance of Linux when virtualized as a guest under Microsoft’s virtualization product, Hyper-V. Ahh, now the truth starts to emerge. The purpose of the code has nothing to do with being generous, but rather it is to ensure that Linux will run well under their own virtualization technology. Microsoft has well realized that the world is moving towards free software and that users are implementing Linux in their infrastructure.

"Even though the motivation is a purely selfish one, is there anything wrong with that? Microsoft certainly plans to “outsmart open source” and this move should be seen in that light, but at the end of the day they are doing the unthinkable - contributing to free software - and that’s a win."

Complete Story

Related Stories:

• Microsoft opened Linux-driver code after 'violating' GPL(Jul 23, 2009)
• Microsoft, Red Hat Renew Linux Patent Spat(Jul 23, 2009)
• Microsoft, OOXML and the ISO: the Response(Jul 22, 2009)
• Microsoft's Linux code contribution - what about patents?(Jul 21, 2009)
• Congratulations Microsoft (The real reason why...?)(Jul 20, 2009)
• Microsoft Shares Virtualization Code With Linux(Jul 20, 2009)
• Pigs do fly: Microsoft unleashes 20,000 lines of Linux code(Jul 20, 2009)