Microsoft and open source

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Altair BASIC Paper Tape

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Steve Ballmer - MIX 2008

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2010 linux-solutions Microsoft speaker Tom Hanrahan at Paris France

Microsoft Linux

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Miguel de Icaza at PDC (2986319846)

Microsoft and Open Source refers to the involvement and contributions of Microsoft Corporation, a multinational technology company, to the open source software movement. Historically known for its proprietary software products, such as Windows operating system and Microsoft Office suite, Microsoft's stance on open source software has evolved significantly over the years.

Early Views and Engagement

In the late 1990s and early 2000s, Microsoft was known for its critical stance towards open source, with former CEO Steve Ballmer famously describing Linux, a popular open source operating system, as a "cancer" in 2001. This period was marked by Microsoft's emphasis on proprietary software models and competition with open source alternatives.

Shift in Strategy

The turning point in Microsoft's approach to open source began in the mid-2000s, under the leadership of CEO Satya Nadella, who took over in 2014. Nadella's tenure marked a significant shift in corporate strategy, embracing open source as an essential part of the company's future. Microsoft began contributing to open source projects, adopting open source technologies within its own products, and even open-sourcing some of its proprietary software.

Key Open Source Contributions

Microsoft has made several notable contributions to the open source community, including:

- **.NET Framework**: In 2014, Microsoft announced that it would open source a large portion of the .NET framework, a landmark move that allowed developers to contribute to the framework and port it to other operating systems. - **Visual Studio Code**: A free, open source code editor released in 2015, which has become one of the most popular development tools among programmers. - **GitHub Acquisition**: In 2018, Microsoft acquired GitHub, the largest host of source code in the world, for $7.5 billion. The acquisition was seen as a significant endorsement of open source development. - **Microsoft Edge**: The decision to rebuild Microsoft's web browser, Edge, on the open source Chromium project in 2019 further demonstrated Microsoft's commitment to open source principles.

Community and Developer Relations

Microsoft's engagement with the open source community has extended beyond code contributions. The company has sponsored open source conferences, participated in open source foundations, and launched initiatives to support open source developers. Microsoft has also worked to improve its reputation within the open source community by ensuring that its contributions are meaningful and align with community values.

Impact and Reception

The transformation of Microsoft's stance on open source has been met with both praise and skepticism. While many in the open source community have welcomed Microsoft's contributions and its embrace of open source principles, others remain wary of the company's motives and the potential for control over open source projects.

Conclusion

Microsoft's journey from an open source skeptic to a major contributor reflects the broader acceptance and integration of open source software in the technology industry. By embracing open source, Microsoft has not only expanded its own technological capabilities but has also contributed to the growth and sustainability of the open source ecosystem.