Short Bytes: Microsoft’s recent announcement to join the Linux Foundation has stirred news waves around the world. Assumptions are made that this is Microsoft’s strategy to kill Linux. However, executive director of the Linux Foundation, Jim Zemlin said that Microsoft is a changed company now.
The technology world was shocked when Microsoft was diagnosed with cancer, earlier this week. This is because Steve Ballmer characterized Linux “as cancer” years ago and Microsoft has now joined the Linux Foundation as a Platinum member. So, it could be a third stage cancer if we think according to Ballmer’s perspective.
Many people are still reluctant to digest Microsoft’s recent move considering their past reputation. But for Microsoft, they have been honestly working to promote open source development under their roof, which was largely disregarded years ago under past leaderships.
In an interview given to Computer World, Jim Zemlin, executive director of the Linux Foundation, described that Microsoft doesn’t have any hatred for Linux and open source. In fact, their addition to the Linux community will benefit the ecosystem as a whole.
Some people even think it is Microsoft’s strategy to wipe out Linux completely in the future. When asked, Zemlin said he’s “just not a big conspiracy theorist” and denied any possibility of Microsoft trying to kill Linux.
“First of all, when you join the Linux Foundation, you’re obligated to support the mission of our organization, which is to support the growth of Linux and open source,” said Zemlin.
“And Microsoft has not only committed to doing that as a part of our organization, but I’ve got to tell you, they’re pretty much already doing it.”
Redmond has shown a friendly gesture by running Linux on Azure and bringing Ubuntu to Windows 10 as a subsystem. They also open sourced various platforms, including .NET Core project and PowerShell among others.
Microsoft was already a member of the open source groups Eclipse Foundations and Apache Software Foundation before opening their window for the Linux Foundation. The company might’ve realized they won’t be able to make it far without an open-source-phobic attitude.
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