Bonum Certa Men Certa

Embrace, Extend, and Apache

"It's part of a continuing behavior pattern by Microsoft that I think it's fair to call "dirty fighting." GoDaddy was using Apache (I assume on Linux) because it was a great technical solution. They didn't switch to IIS on Windows Server 2003 for any technical reason. The switch was accompanied by a press release by GoDaddy, containing Microsoft promotional language. Now, I've changed many servers from one thing to another, but I've never made a press release about it. GoDaddy wouldn't be doing that unless Microsoft had offered them something valuable in return. There has been talk in the domain business that Microsoft has been offering the large domain registries a wad of cash to switch their parked sites. There is no other reason to do this than to influence the Netcraft figures."

--Bruce Perens



APACHE HAS BEEN GAINING at the expense of IIS for several consecutive months now, despite dirty tricks from Microsoft. It's an important ongoing discussion because Apache is a FOSS poster child. Microsoft just can't stop this project, so it may be opting for a different strategy.



Just as Microsoft tried to gain control over ODF (blame all the luring, it seems to be have just approached and obtained partial control of Apache now that it's cleared to commit code to it.

Few will have noticed, but Microsoft's Jim Kellerman just announced that he and a Microsoft colleague have "been cleared to contribute patches again" to Apache, and specifically to the Hadoop project.


Microsoft is desperate to intervene with Apache's direction [1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7]. Why is that? Might they be trying to earn the privilege to add Windows-only/Microsoft-oriented extensions, just as they contributed patches for SQL Server around the time of their Apache announcement (payment for a free pass)?

“They merely isolate competing projects from their other competitors.”To Apache, "GNU/Linux vs. Windows" is not an important debate. It's clear enough that Microsoft, being another reckless for-profit business, will attempt to increase installations of Apache atop Windows Server. So, is this really good news, as Matt Asay tries to put it?

Microsoft engineers are not foolish. They merely isolate competing projects from their other competitors. They divide their rivals (divide and conquer). Without the neutrality of GNU/Linux, which enjoys a so-called 'Switzerland status', projects are left at the mercy of Windows, i.e. Microsoft.

"I once preached peaceful coexistence with Windows. You may laugh at my expense -- I deserve it."

--Be's CEO Jean-Louis Gassée



"Microsoft has had clear competitors in the past. It’s a good thing we have museums to document that."

--Bill Gates



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