Wired: Open-Source Windows? Uh, Kinda
“Microsoft has no intention of allowing government geeks to
freely paw the company’s beloved source code.“The company’s new Government Security Program will be far more
akin to a peep show guarded by aggressive bouncers than a
full-blown open-source orgy…“‘This doesn’t seem to be much of a new development,’ said
Robert Ferrell, a systems security specialist for the U.S.
government. ‘It might be a step in the right direction, but it’s
only one step on a journey of 1,000 miles…'”
AP/Boston.com: Microsoft Code-sharing May Not Sway Clients,
Some Say
“In a global battle for customers, Microsoft is betting that
giving governments a peek at its underlying code for Windows
operating systems will keep them from straying to open-source
software alternatives, such as Linux.“But some analysts said the company’s initiative alone may not
be enough to hold onto those wavering between Microsoft’s
proprietary Windows and open-source software, in which the
underlying code can be downloaded for free.“Also, because developers can share, improve and redistribute
open-source code, some contend it is safer from attack than
Microsoft’s technology a claim the software behemoth
disputes…”
Related Story:
CNET News: Governments to See Windows Code(Jan 15, 2003)