Microsoft and Linux: True Romance or Toxic Love?

Every now and then we read a news story that will make you choke on your coffee or spray a hot latte on your monitor. Microsoft's recently announced love of Linux is a stark example of this.

In common sense, Microsoft and the Free Open Source Software (FOSS) movement are permanent enemies. In the eyes of many, Microsoft embodies excessive greed that the Free Open Source Software Movement (FOSS) rejects. In addition, Microsoft has previously labeled the free and open source software community as a "gang of robbers."

We can understand why Microsoft has always been afraid of free operating systems. When the free operating system is combined with open-source applications that challenge Microsoft's core product line, it threatens Microsoft's dominance in the desktop and laptop markets. 

Despite Microsoft's concerns over desktop dominance, Linux has the highest influence in the web server market. Today, most servers are Linux systems. Including the busiest site servers in the world. It must be very painful for Microsoft to see so much revenue from licenses that don't fit in your pocket.

Handheld devices are another area where Microsoft has lost out to free software. Once upon a time, Microsoft's Windows CE and Pocket PC operating systems were at the forefront of mobile computing. Windows PDA devices are the most shiny and luxurious products. But that all ended after Apple released the iPhone. Since then, Android has entered the public eye, and Windows' mobile offerings have been ignored and forgotten. The Android platform is based on free and open source components.

Due to the openness of the Android platform, Android's market share is rapidly expanding. Unlike IOS, any phone manufacturer can release an Android phone. Also unlike Windows Phone, Android has no licensing fees. That's a good thing for consumers. This has also led to the emergence of a number of powerful and inexpensive handset makers around the world. This is a very clear demonstration of the value of Free Open Source Software (FOSS).

Losing the battle between server and mobile computing is a huge loss for Microsoft. Considering the combined market size of server and mobile computing, the desktop market appears to be a backwater. No one likes to fail, especially when it comes to money. And, Microsoft does have a lot of things that are slowly being lost. You might expect Microsoft to suffer the consequences. In the past, it did.

Microsoft has used every means at its disposal to fight back against Linux and free and open source software (FOSS), from propaganda to patent threats. While this attack did slow down the pace of adaptation to Linux, it never stopped the pace of Linux.
So, forgive the shock we showed when Microsoft pulled out T-shirts and badges with "Microsoft Loves Linux" at open source conferences and major events. Is this true? Microsoft really loves Linux?

Of course, PR slogans and free t-shirts don't represent the truth. Actions speak louder than words. When you think about Microsoft's actions, Microsoft's position becomes a bit ambiguous.

On the one hand, Microsoft recruited several hundred Linux developers and system administrators. The .NET Core Framework is released as an open source project with cross-platform support (so .NET runs on OS X and Linux). And, Microsoft has partnered with Linux companies to put the most popular distributions on the Azure platform. In fact, Microsoft has gone so far as to develop its own Linux distribution for the Azure data center.

Microsoft, on the other hand, continues to attack open source projects directly through the law or puppet companies. Clearly, Microsoft has not made a visceral moral shift in its battle with free software ownership. So why publicly declare a love for Linux?

One obvious fact: Microsoft is a business entity. It is an investment vehicle for shareholders and a source of income for employees. All Microsoft does is one ultimate goal: profit. Microsoft doesn't show love or hate (though that's one of the most common accusations).

So the question shouldn't be "Does Microsoft really love Linux?" Instead, we should ask, how does Microsoft profit from all this.

Let's take the example of an open source distribution of the .NET Core framework. This move makes it easy to port the .NET runtime environment to any platform. This makes Microsoft's .NET framework far larger than the Windows platform.

Open .NET core package finally makes it possible for .NET developers to develop cross-platform apps, such as OS X, Linux and even Android - all based on the same core code base.

From a developer perspective, this makes the .NET Framework more attractive than ever. Being able to reach multiple platforms from a single code base dramatically expands the potential target market for any app developed using the .NET Framework.

Additionally, a strong open source community can provide developers with code to reuse in their own projects. So, the availability of open source projects will also enable the .NET Framework.

Furthermore, opening up .NET's core code can reduce fragmentation across different platforms, meaning a wider choice of apps for consumers. Whether it's open source software or dedicated apps, there are more options.

From Microsoft's point of view, it will get an army of developers. Microsoft can profit by selling training, certificates, technical support, developer tools (including Visual Studio) and application extensions.

We should ask ourselves, is this good or bad for the free software community?

The widespread adoption of the .NET Framework means the demise of many competing open source projects, forcing us to follow Microsoft's lead.

.NET aside, Microsoft is spending a lot of energy on Linux support on the Azure cloud computing platform. Remember, Azure was originally Azure for Windows. Windows Server is the only operating system that can support Azure. Today, Azure also provides support for several Linux distributions.
There's a reason for this: paying customers who need or want Linux services. If Microsoft doesn't offer Linux virtual machines, those customers will be cooperating with others.

It seems as if Microsoft is aware of the fact that "Linux is here". Microsoft can't really kill it, so it has to be embraced.

Which brings us back to the question: Why are there so many rumors about Microsoft and Linux? We're talking about it because Microsoft wants us to think about it. After all, all of this talk goes back to Microsoft, whether it's in press releases, blogs, or public announcements at conferences. Microsoft is trying to draw attention to its Linux expertise.

A blog post by lead architect Kamala Subramaniam states what other attempts could be behind the Azure Cloud Switch? ACS is a custom Linux distribution. Microsoft uses it to automate the configuration of switch hardware in Azure data centers.

ACS is not public. It is for Azure internal use. It is also unlikely that others will find other uses for this distro. In fact, Subramaniam made the same point in her blog post.

So, Microsoft will not make a profit by selling ACS, nor will it increase its user base by giving it away. Instead, Microsoft is spending energy on Linux and Azure to strengthen its position as a Linux cloud computing platform.

Is Microsoft's recent fascination with Linux good news for the community?

We shouldn't slowly forget Microsoft's curse of "Embrace, Extend, Eliminate Embrace, Extend and Exterminate". Right now, Microsoft is in the early stages of embracing Linux. Will Microsoft divide the community with custom extensions and proprietary "standards"?