OOXML outreach to Blender
Microsoft has just approached the Blender guys, and I would assume have or will approach other FOSS projects since we learn that Microsoft has assigned a guy to work with Open Source projects, with a request for information on how to make Blender run better on Windows. Here's part of what Microsoft emailed to Blender:
With respect to Blender, what can you tell me about your community/user feedback that you have heard regarding file formats? Specifically, Microsoft is slowly shifting toward a more open standards based approach to its file formats. The ISO standard Office Open XML is an example of the direction we are moving towards. A good user experience of Blender on Windows is good for your project/community and good for Microsoft. What we are trying to understand is what file formats, which are not open or not fully open, are impeding the optimal experience with your community.
OOXML is an example of openness? They're kidding, right?
While on the surface, one might think this is an example of greater openness on Microsoft's part, I thought it would be probably a good time to point out Microsoft's competitive strategy against Linux and FOSS. I think this is an example of its announced strategy to "outsmart Linux", as Ballmer put it, using "openness" -- a Brand X, tilted version of it -- to do it.
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Microsoft always had Linux labs ? licenses Linux ? Projects ?
Microsoft is very knowledgeable on Linux. But not supporting Linux operating systems(distros), because of lack of Linux popularity for market shares. Always had blocked Lindows, then paid $20 million to settle and licensed Linspire. So, if the project is worth it, Microsoft might own it; just like any other Linux projects, sold out in the end for money.
Recently, sold out is in earnest, whether it is main developers(Cups) finding jobs and taking the codes with them; or the project(MySql) became a foundation then sold out lock, stock and barrel, plus and then some($1 billion).
Open source just became the prelude of money grabbing schemes, such as using GPL(openbox) for contingency lawsuits to grab some big money for late coming developers(not founders of the projects).
Die hard open sourced community putting out emotional expressions, defending freedom or openness for interop has to re-examine their positions? When new comers can grab any open sourced Linux project and make huge money with it, especially those projects abandoned sometime ago?