Newsletters Welcome, Guest Log In | Register

Microsoft News and Notes

Observations about Microsoft, the world’s largest software vendor

About this Blogger RSS

Subscribe

Sign up now and get the best business technology insights direct to your inbox.

  • Daily Edge
  • CTO Edge Update
  • Business Tools & Templates
  • Aligning IT & Business Goals
  • Maximizing IT Investments

2

Microsoft Throws Hungry Open Source Census a Bone

Posted by Kachina Shaw Jun 17, 2008 11:31:39 AM

I usually leave coverage of Microsoft's involvement with open source technology, communities and companies in the capable hands of IT Business Edge's Lora Bentley. She's got a great post today on Microsoft's agreement to co-sponsor OpenLogic's Open Source Census. Of course, any connection between Microsoft and open source anything brings out the accusations of conspiracy on the part of Redmond. Can't be up to anything good, right?

 

I want to point out a few factors here, though:

 

The Open Source Census site, as of today, lists 13 sponsors, including OpenLogic. One is an analyst firm. One is a law firm. I see no evidence that the open source folks who suspect Microsoft of nefarious doings and have no compunctions about making those kinds of accusations have demonstrated any public support for the census.

 

OpenLogic invited Microsoft, along with hundreds of other companies, to become involved with the census as sponsors.

 

And why did OpenLogic invite Microsoft to get involved?

 

Because the census is failing.

 

For whatever reason, only 1,200 machines have been scanned since the project began a few months ago. It seems that either the census is not publicized well enough, there is not enough interest in participating and submitting data, or there is not a clear enough statement of purpose for the census.

 

Seems to me that with Microsoft's involvement and the amount of press it has brought to the census, the participation will now see a sharp increase and might actually collect enough data to be able to draw some reasonable conclusions about certain slices of open source usage today. I certainly hope, as well, that I don't see claims further down the road that the census was unable to collect sufficient data on open source usage for analysis -- and that it is the fault of Microsoft.

 

Open source guys, you can thank Microsoft now.

Add a comment Leave a comment on this blog post.
Jun 17, 2008 10:58 PM Guest Jassi Brar  says:

Its just a clever way to ask others to contribute in MS's survey of what opensource projects entice companies?

 

Based upon the result MS could then place/offer its competing products to take the shine away from their opensource counterparts.

Jun 25, 2008 5:10 PM Guest Odysseus  says:

Why would anyone participate in this?  It's probably against many corporate policies, and there's little reason for citizens to want to offer this kind of exposure.  Linux distributions offer "popularity contest" packages that would seem to collect a lot of this same kind of data with less concern over privacy.

Software Forum: Information On Demand Virtual Experience

This interactive virtual forum presents leading IT experts providing the insights you need to turn your information into a strategic driver for innovation, business optimization and competitive differentiation.

Performance Under Pressure: The State of Enterprise Web Application Quality and Availability

This research study finds that Web application issues are an all-too-common problem and examines these Web-based enterprise application issues from two perspectives: that of an online customer and that of a site manager.

Business Intelligence

Best-practice tools, strategies and technologies for determining and managing the data you need to make better business decisions.

Data Management Solutions

Data management and storage solutions, tips and best practices to improve the scalability, reliability, and accessability of your data.

Data Management

Data management tips and techniques that insure ease of access, comprehensive security and absolute privacy for your invaluable company information.

Energy Efficiency

Best practices to optimize computing ability while minimizing power costs.

ITIL V3 Foundation - Complete Certification Kit

Enhance your IT career by getting your ITIL Foundation Certificate. It's fast and easy with this complete resource. The 186-page eBook and companion online training course is guaranteed to help you pass the ITIL exam.

Learn more >

Disaster Recovery & Business Continuity Template Pack

Prepare your company for any type of disaster you can envision and those you cannot. Immediately download this comprehensive set of templates and tools for documenting your business contingency plans.

Learn more >