Re:Why Can't Microsoft Ship Open Source Software?
by gizmo on Friday July 04, 2008 @08:13AM
(#236160)
NIH is the right attitude for MS. Microsoft makes a subversion clone. If the clone turns out better than subversion then a lot of .NET developers will use it voluntarily. A lot of businesses will start using it because it has the MS logo on it. Result? Microsoft owns a part of the development tool chain - which makes it harder for people to write software on different platforms. Microsoft wins.
And if the clone is worse? Doesn't really matter. Some people will still use it, version 3.0 may be "good enough", and Microsoft will have a new technology to market. Having new products is a goal by itself - the .Net magazines need fresh content to keep their audience captivated. Even vaporware can be very valuable. Microsoft wins again.
Conclusion: cloning popular products is good business for MS.
And if the clone is worse? Doesn't really matter. Some people will still use it, version 3.0 may be "good enough", and Microsoft will have a new technology to market. Having new products is a goal by itself - the .Net magazines need fresh content to keep their audience captivated. Even vaporware can be very valuable. Microsoft wins again.
Conclusion: cloning popular products is good business for MS.