Politics of a familiar sort has reared its head as well, according to Sartorio. While many companies want to integrate open-source elements with the Microsoft stack, that reality has clashed somewhat within the OSA's ranks, he said. "They say, 'Look, be careful what you do with Microsoft. ... I don't want to be part of an open-source movement that is working closely with Microsoft.'"
"The challenge at Microsoft is the old guard is trying to keep Wall Street happy and their revenues flowing in a predictable way," he said, but the company is on the whole "not monolithic" in its thinking regarding open source.
"There aren't any specific plans between OSA and Microsoft," he added. "It's a matter of ongoing dialogue."
“Microsoft rarely explains its goals, but those who listen carefully know the truth about Microsoft viewing FOSS as its to-be ISV.”Microsoft just loves to approach those who are feeble. Remember OSBC? If not, then you are strongly encouraged to look back at many posts that include [1, 2, 3, 4, 5]. I seem to have finally opened up Matt Asay's eyes a little bit because he has recently been more vocal with criticism about Microsoft's real intent. He is no longer on the OSI's board either, but this probably has nothing to do with Microsoft becoming part of it and more a question of time management (he publishes and communicates at a high pace). He sort of explained this himself last week. His relevance to this debate lies in the fact that he is the motor behind the birth of the Open Solutions Alliance.
There is a bunch of nonesense in the news at the moment about Ozzie uttering the term "open-source", which foolishly enough, too many journalists and bloggers have fallen for. Microsoft rarely explains its goals, but those who listen carefully know the truth about Microsoft viewing FOSS as its to-be ISV. ⬆
"I would love to see all open source innovation happen on top of Windows"
--Steve Ballmer, CEO of Microsoft (2007)
--Steve Ballmer, CEO of Microsoft (February 28th, 2008)