The Economist: An open and shut case. What is behind Microsoft’s attack on open-source software?

[ Thanks to Jacek
Piskozub for this link. ]

The Economist has turned an unhappy eye on Microsoft in this
piece, noting that open source software isn’t something that exists
merely to thwart Redmond as much as it is a natural result of the
Internet “which means that it is here to stay.” Those looking for a
concise, lucid account of what open source is all about might want
to check this out.

“Open source is not so much the ideological cause of
anti-Microsoft hackers as a profound effect of the Internet, which
means that it is here to stay. The emergence of free, open-source
alternatives to costly proprietary software will undoubtedly hurt
Microsoft?hence Mr Mundie?s speech. In a further swipe at open
source, Microsoft this week launched a new range of server software
that, it claimed, offers ?superior value? to Linux, by providing
?clarity of intellectual ownership? and ?predictability of the
development process?. In other words, says Microsoft, proprietary
software is best because there is no doubt which company owns and
maintains it?and, of course, charges for it.”

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