Microsoft to consider releasing source code

[neb1211]

http://www.techworld.com/opsys/news/index.cfm?NewsID=3094

While there is no decision yet, I think it is safe to say that Microsoft is starting to feel the pressure from Linux.  Perhaps if I have time today I will call up my connections at Microsoft and ask them for some info about this.

[pcgeek]

wow hat is really sweet, but once hey do that winblows will be soooo easy to pirate

[mipadi]

They're not planning on releasing the source code to Windows, just the code to a component of their .Net framework.

[neb1211]

oops I seems to have missed that part  

[JsutTechy]

wow hat is really sweet, but once hey do that winblows will be soooo easy to pirate

What makes it hard about pirating it now? I don't think it's really that hard. Just hop onto Isohunt or another torrent search site like that and you're bound to find tons of ISO's. I downloaded Windows 95, 98SE, and 2000 off of there out of boredom and they all work fine.

[acemaverick1381]

First off, if they do release the source code, how will it be pirating? What, are they going to make some rule saying "you can download the source, but you can't compile it"?! Microsoft can be a b****, but if they ever did release the source code to Windows I don't think they would do that. If they decieded to though, there would be millions of coders (including myself) going outside and shooting themselves because of how it is written.

The whole point of open source is so people can find your errors, and tell them to you. The other point is that you should be able to download the source and compile it yourself. By compiling it yourself, you have a lot more options based off of what compiler you use. Most of the time the product gives you instructions though.