4 ms·
Just a friendly reminder: Corporations are not humans. Corporation's acts are driven by profits. Last decade Microsoft CEO was describing Linux as "communism".
by Svoka 8y ago
Just a friendly reminder: Corporations are not humans. Corporation's acts are driven by profits. Last decade Microsoft CEO was describing Linux as "communism".
Some say, till this day Microsoft would go after hardware manufacturers who use Linux for patent fees, having covert patent war vs Linux. [1]
I really like how Microsoft is now, all open, free, unicorns and rainbows. Hell, they're producing some terrific open source themselves and support community.
But lets not forget - corporations are not people. Next CEO may use Github to put obstacles on OSS movement's way. Just because it is good now, doesn't mean it will be good tomorrow, or in 10 years.
P.S. Personally, I really happy where Microsoft is heading right now, and I think they're doing terrific job with their open source projects. You go Microsoft. I hope OSS way would be successful enough so MS would embrace it even more... But you never know.
EDIT:
[1] I'm aware that Microsoft recently joined Open Invention Network patent pool. But there're criticism that contributed patents are not important ones.
I tried to find ExFAT patents, but couldn't in OIN list. Also, it is really hard to find full OIN contributed patent list. Here's US patent numbers MS going around asking money for, couldn't find any confirmation of all of them being contributed 5579517 5758352 5745902 6286013
- citrablue 8y agoWhile this obviously also applies equally to Apple, Google, etc., I'm curious: do you think it also is the case with companies like RedHat? The recent MongoDB announcement made me a bit more sensitive and aware of the orthogonality of interests, even in a company that produces OSS as it's core product (and monetizes services).
- Svoka 8y agoApple and Google didn't take over major OSS hub (some say, the OSS hub of today). This companies contribute a lot themselves, and have a long history of doing so. And yes, MongoDB ticked me too. I like way Microsoft is going, I just don't want to get hurt if suddenly their board/CEO decide to pursue opposite direction: won't even be first time for the company.
- tasuki 8y ago> do you think it also is the case with companies like RedHat? Not the op, but yes, both "Corporations are not humans" and "Corporation's acts are driven by profits" also applies to RedHat and other publicly traded companies.
- robinhood 8y agoWell. It's almost a philosophical dilemma at this point. You can either fear the future and hence never enjoy what's good today. Or you can forget the future and actually enjoy the present. GitHub didn't exist 15 years ago. Something better will probably be there in 15 years from now. If GitHub changes direction and becomes a bad citizen, we'll go elsewhere.
- pessimizer 8y ago> If GitHub changes direction and becomes a bad citizen, we'll go elsewhere. Unless they buy and shut down any alternative that gathers more than a thousand users.
- rnd0 8y ago>You can either fear the future and hence never enjoy what's good today. Or you can forget the future and actually enjoy the present. A better choice would be to enjoy what's good today while making contingencies for when things go south in the future.