Yesterday, Codeplex was launched by Microsoft. The reason for the formation of the foundation is, according to the site, ' [a] foundation formed with the mission of enabling the exchange of code and understanding among software companies and open source communities, launched today, September 10, 2009.
' The CodePlex Foundation was created as a forum in which open source communities and the software development community can come together with the shared goal of increasing participation in open source community projects. The CodePlex Foundation will complement existing open source foundations and organizations, providing a forum in which best practices and shared understanding can be established by a broad group of participants, both software companies and open source communities. Initial funding for the Foundation comes from Microsoft Corporation.'
This sounds very innocent in itself, except that it is a Microsoft brain child and as such, must be looked at with jaundiced eyes. The launch of this foundation comes days after some slides were leaked that talked about very blatant lies about Linux, which Microsoft was indoctrinating employees of Best Buy with. I have over the years come to develop a deep level of mistrust for the Redmond giant when it comes to Open Source due to how it has treated this movement.
I strongly believe Microsoft is up to something and has thus formed and is funding this foundation to further its own interests. I do not think players in the Open Source movement should just receive this foundation with open arms and smiles. Time must be taken to really ascertain the motive of this foundation other than what the site tells us. In any case, can there ever be anything like the exchange of code between closed source and open source companies? I am no expert, but I know it is going to be a nigh impossible feat, for the two are on directly opposite sides of a divide.
Microsoft is not a company that should be easily trusted when it comes to Open Source and Linux. It has over the years demonstrated that Linux and Open Source have no place in its world. A company that has done all it can to thwart the growth of Open Source cannot just suddenly develop interest in the exchange of code and ideas with the Open Source movement. The Codeplex foundation should be dealt with caution in order ascertain the real motive behind its setup.
