Microsoft just unveiled a new web property intended to clarify its position on Open Source as well as provide a one-stop location to find out what Microsoft is doing in the Open Source space.
Despite all the (perhaps well deserved) criticism of how Microsoft has not supported Open Source in the past, I think the behemoth is slowly starting to get it. Or at least groups within Microsoft are starting to see that if they don't embrace Open Source, Microsoft will get left behind, much like they did for a while with the web revolution. Embracing Open Source makes good long term business sense for Microsoft.
As a big company, Microsoft moves slowly, but there are concrete signs of progress.
- The Ms-PL License (Microsoft Permissive License)
- The introduction of CodePlex
- Port25, the Open Source Software Lab (ugly site, but chock full of info)
- Sam Ramji, whose official title is Director of Platform Technology Strategy but is for all intents and purposes, the Director of Open Source at Microsoft and heads the Open Source Lab there.
- Garret Serack who holds the title Open Source Community Lead at Microsoft.
- And various informal shows of support.
Sure, there is much more to do and I'm sure many will remain skeptical and wary of Microsoft's slow movement into this area. However, I see the signs of progress and believe there will be bigger things to come.