Microsoft's open source love fest continues as it joins the Linux Foundation
Microsoft has taken another step to embrace the open source community by becoming a platinum member of the Linux Foundation, the nonprofit organization that promotes and supports the development of the Linux operating system and other open source projects. This move reflects Microsoft's continued commitment to collaborating with the open source community and contributing to its growth and innovation.
Microsoft has been increasingly involved in the open source world in recent years, releasing some of its own software projects under open source licenses, such as .NET Core, PowerShell, Visual Studio Code, and TypeScript. It also acquired GitHub, the largest platform for hosting and collaborating on open source projects, and partnered with Canonical, the company behind Ubuntu Linux, to allow Linux applications to run on Windows 10.
By joining the Linux Foundation, Microsoft will have a seat on the board of directors and will be able to participate in various initiatives and working groups within the organization. Microsoft will also be able to support the development of Linux and other open source technologies that are critical to its cloud computing, artificial intelligence and edge computing platforms.
Microsoft's open source love fest continues as it joins the Linux Foundation
Microsoft has been on the path to embracing open source and Linux over the past few years, after a long history of rivalry and opposition. On Wednesday, the company took another important step in this direction by joining the Linux Foundation, an organization that supports the development of the Linux kernel and other open source projects.
Microsoft also announced the public beta of SQL Server on Linux, the long-awaited adaptation of its popular relational database software that was first revealed in March. Linux developers can also try the beta version of Azure App Service, a cloud platform that simplifies the management of web and mobile applications.
These initiatives are part of Microsoft's ongoing effort to embrace and support Linux and open source in a variety of ways. Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella stated in 2014 that the company loves Linux and we've seen evidence of it ever since.
Microsoft joins the Linux Foundation as a Platinum member
Microsoft has announced that it will become a Platinum member of the Linux Foundation, the organization's highest level of membership. This means that Microsoft will contribute $500.000 annually to support the development and promotion of Linux and other open source projects. Microsoft will also have a seat on the Foundation's board of directors, along with other Platinum members such as Intel, Oracle, Samsung and IBM.
This move is a sign of Microsoft's growing adoption of open source, as the company has been releasing more of its own software under open licenses, collaborating with Linux developers on projects like Azure, Visual Studio Code, and .NET Core, and supporting Linux on its cloud platform and devices.
Jim Zemlin, CEO of the Linux Foundation, welcomed Microsoft's decision in a press release and said he hopes Microsoft will "intensify its participation and commitment to open development."
However, this announcement may surprise some, given the history of animosity between Microsoft and Linux. In 2009, Zemlin accused Microsoft of "secretly attacking Linux" after it sold a group of Linux-related patents to a patent troll. Microsoft, on the other hand, attacked Linux, with former CEO Steve Ballmer calling the operating system a "cancer" 15 years ago.
But despite these conflicts, there were also signs of cooperation between the two sides, even during a period when Microsoft was more hostile towards Linux.
In 2008, Zemlin told InfoWorld that he wanted to have a place where developers could work to make Linux more compatible with Microsoft products. He said he wanted to do it in an open source way that wasn't tied to any specific contract or agreement.
It appears that Microsoft has now embraced this vision and is willing to work with the Linux community in a more open and collaborative way. This is good news for both Linux and Microsoft users, as they can benefit from greater interoperability, innovation, and choice in the software industry.
