I actually hope it happens, I think it would be really interesting. I have no idea what the ecosystem would look like after that. Would iOS and OS X be forced to go open source as well? This open source thing is crazy, who would have though Microsoft would be forced into this position.
Large chunks of iOS and OS X have been open source in some sense for a few years, but the GUI portions remain closed, and what’s been released mostly is not really buildable, so … of course, there’s no knowing what an open Windows would be, really.
This open source thing is crazy, who would have though Microsoft would be forced into this position.
I don’t think they are being forced into it. I think they see SaaS and things like Azure as being the future money makers (and of course mssql licensing). The releasing of code recently seems more like an attempt to do 2 things:
1) Get people excited about the future of .NET. mono is already incorporating code from the release into its next release
2) establish a “new” Microsoft.
1, is interesting. If successful enough, MSFT has lots of places in which they can make a share of a developers earnings via sales. XBOX games, Windows market place (or what ever it’s called). The more people who use .NET, the more revenue they can make from selling others' software.
2, seems to really be working quite well. As someone who hasn’t used MSFT products seriously since the 90s, I’ve never been more interested in what they’re up to! It’s like the best TV show ever! Every week is a new cliff hanger.
Sure, but anything is “definitely possible”.
I actually hope it happens, I think it would be really interesting. I have no idea what the ecosystem would look like after that. Would iOS and OS X be forced to go open source as well? This open source thing is crazy, who would have though Microsoft would be forced into this position.
Large chunks of iOS and OS X have been open source in some sense for a few years, but the GUI portions remain closed, and what’s been released mostly is not really buildable, so … of course, there’s no knowing what an open Windows would be, really.
I don’t think they are being forced into it. I think they see SaaS and things like Azure as being the future money makers (and of course mssql licensing). The releasing of code recently seems more like an attempt to do 2 things:
1) Get people excited about the future of .NET. mono is already incorporating code from the release into its next release
2) establish a “new” Microsoft.
1, is interesting. If successful enough, MSFT has lots of places in which they can make a share of a developers earnings via sales. XBOX games, Windows market place (or what ever it’s called). The more people who use .NET, the more revenue they can make from selling others' software.
2, seems to really be working quite well. As someone who hasn’t used MSFT products seriously since the 90s, I’ve never been more interested in what they’re up to! It’s like the best TV show ever! Every week is a new cliff hanger.