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Thread ID: 29281	2003-01-15 18:08:00	News: Microsoft to Open Windows Code	Steve_L (763)	Press F1

Post ID	Timestamp	Content	User
114151	2003-01-15 18:08:00	This just came through via Google News, posted an hour ago: "Microsoft to Open Windows Code to Foreign Governments...Under the program announced Tuesday, Microsoft will allow governments to see the source code for Windows 2000, XP, Server 2003 and CE. ... Some say Microsoft's newfound openness is a response to critical vulnerabilities to its source code that governments around the world have exposed. The reasons behind Microsoft's shift in strategy do not appear entirely altruistic..." See the article at: www.internetnews.com	Steve_L (763)
114152	2003-01-15 18:15:00	I suppose it's the first step, if any, to get MS to release the source code for it's Operating System. Just don't expect anything in a hurry - don't forget one of their chief engineers compared open source to cancer :p CyberChuck	cyberchuck (173)
114153	2003-01-15 20:01:00	They'll never release all their code IMHO - But I guess some is better than none!	Chilling_Silence (9)
114154	2003-01-15 20:08:00	I think they will if it means loosing the markets. Don't forget places like Singapore and Japan (off the top of my head - could be wrong) are thinking about only using OpenSource Software (in other words, if your programs not open source, it doesn't enter the country) or something like that, and as the markets for Microsoft are supposedly HUGE over there, I can't see MS willingly give up that fight... Maybe it'll be the era of a new EULA? - you can view the source code, however if you change it, and Microsoft deems it fit to include into their new OS range, then Microsoft reserves the right to use your additions and provide no reference to you the maker? - just something to think about. CyberChuck	cyberchuck (173)
114155	2003-01-15 20:20:00	AirNZ are now OpenSource AFAIK!	Chilling_Silence (9)
114156	2003-01-15 22:20:00	> AirNZ are now OpenSource AFAIK! Well, they run lots of instances of GNU/Linux on an IBM mainframe. :) I think that was to get rid of the 150 or so file and print servers running on Windows NT.	segfault (655)
114157	2003-01-15 22:26:00	Ouch!!! 150 or so !?!?! Say the liscences are worth $100 each... 150x100.. You work out the math on how much they're saving!!!!! Ten again, there's staff training if the systems are new... but still!!!	Chilling_Silence (9)
114158	2003-01-15 22:36:00	> Ouch!!! 150 or so !?!?! Say the liscences are worth > $100 each... 150x100.. You work out the math on how > much they're saving!!!!! I'd say they're saving quite a lot of money as well as time - no more reboots needed. If a Linux instance crashes, the instance is "rebooted" so to speak and it carries on with its work AFAIK. > Ten again, there's staff training if the systems are > new... but still!!! Well, to the end users, the changes should be transparent and the admins shouldn't have to worry because if I recall correctly, IBM is managing the mainframe. (Air NZ are leasing the mainframe from IBM)	segfault (655)
114159	2003-01-15 23:06:00	Jeez.. Still that's a whole lot of resources saved! - it would even save their IT Administrators time considering IBM are managing it. I also learn my useless bit of information for the day - if a Linux instance crashes the instance is rebooted and it carries on with it's work! - I'm looking into Linux for my server (now it's just a matter of getting my funds together :p) CyberChuck	cyberchuck (173)
114160	2003-01-16 00:27:00	> I also learn my useless bit of information for the > day - if a Linux instance crashes the instance is > rebooted and it carries on with it's work! Ah, yes, like making a change to your Network settings, or to the samba config file after sharing a new folder etc..... Just restart that service and you're peachy! Takes 2 seconds to restart it!	Chilling_Silence (9)
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