Close
  • Latest News
  • Artificial Intelligence
  • Video
  • Big Data and Analytics
  • Cloud
  • Networking
  • Cybersecurity
  • Applications
  • IT Management
  • Storage
  • Sponsored
  • Mobile
  • Small Business
  • Development
  • Database
  • Servers
  • Android
  • Apple
  • Innovation
  • Blogs
  • PC Hardware
  • Reviews
  • Search Engines
  • Virtualization
Read Down
Sign in
Close
Welcome!Log into your account
Forgot your password?
Read Down
Password recovery
Recover your password
Close
Search
Logo
Subscribe
Logo
  • Latest News
  • Artificial Intelligence
  • Video
  • Big Data and Analytics
  • Cloud
  • Networking
  • Cybersecurity
  • Applications
  • IT Management
  • Storage
  • Sponsored
  • Mobile
  • Small Business
  • Development
  • Database
  • Servers
  • Android
  • Apple
  • Innovation
  • Blogs
  • PC Hardware
  • Reviews
  • Search Engines
  • Virtualization
More
    Subscribe
    Home Latest News

      Let My Source Go—Not

      Written by

      Scot Petersen
      Published March 22, 2004
      Share
      Facebook
      Twitter
      Linkedin

        eWEEK content and product recommendations are editorially independent. We may make money when you click on links to our partners. Learn More.

        A friend used to joke that there are two types of people in the world—those who can pronounce the word “oeuvre” and those who cant. (Count me among those who cant.) The meaning of the French word is “body of work,” usually of a writer, composer or artist.

        A corollary to that oeuvre law exists, as it relates to Microsofts most important body of work, its Windows source code: There are two types of people in the world—those who believe Microsofts code should be set free and those who dont.

        In the camp of those who believe Windows code should be available under less stringent restrictions than Microsofts existing Shared Source Initiative are numerous developers, open-source proponents and computer experts. That leaves those who believe Microsoft is within its rights to keep tight control over its code. They are viewed by the other side as either Microsoft employees or Microsoft shills.

        Count me among those who dont believe the code should be open-sourced, at least for the foreseeable future.

        Hear me out. First, I believe in open source and “free as in free speech, not as in beer.” Open source has revolutionized the economics of developing and deploying software. IT managers worldwide are seeing cost and management advantages in Linux. Thats because Linus Torvalds and the rest of the open-source community are, in fact, a community—working together, committed to the advancement of Linux and other open-source software.

        As the open-source argument goes, if we put Windows through the same rigorous paces that Linux goes through, with thousands of developers converging on a problem like ants on fruit juice, the resulting product would be more secure, more usable, more affordable and less, well, “Microsoft.”

        There are two problems with this argument. First, just because its Linux or open source does not make it immune to security problems. Research released this month by Zone-H shows that Linux is attacked far more often than Windows. In addition, the research points out that most attacks dont go after the operating system itself, but applications running on it (Outlook, for instance, in the case of Microsoft). Even so, the data renders the “open source offers better security” argument somewhat moot.

        The second problem is not technological but political. The reason Microsoft applications are so often attacked is because holes are left open by the software, by administrators and by users. And, lets face it: There are lots of people who just dont like Microsoft and will attack it on general principles.

        That said, when Microsoft officials such as Shared Source director Jason Matusow say that the sanctity of Windows code and the Shared Source Initiative are designed to protect Microsofts business model, he and others are being disingenuous. In reality, there are ways to be open and still run a business through other value-added propositions—services, for instance. In fact, Microsoft has been trying to migrate to a software-as-a- service model for some time.

        The Fear Factor

        What Microsoft is really afraid of is what would happen if Windows source code really does become open-sourced and falls into the hands of malicious crackers. Just look at the firestorm caused by last months leak of old code. The immediate concern was that a code black market would sprout up whose sole purpose was to create and sell exploits. What would happen then? Would the ethics of open source be able to do anything to save an open-source Windows from such a fate?

        Certainly not, and Microsoft knows this.

        Over time, maybe Windows code will have evolved to the point where itll be safer in the hands of those who seek to destroy it, but I doubt it. For now, opening Windows or loosening the strings to the oeuvre of source code would not make for a better product—it would create more uncertainty and risk for everyone. See, I may not be able to pronounce it, but I could use it in a sentence.

        Scot Petersen can be reached at [email protected].

        /zimages/4/28571.gifCheck out eWEEK.coms Windows Center at http://windows.eweek.com for Microsoft and Windows news, views and analysis.
        Be sure to add our eWEEK.com Windows news feed to your RSS newsreader or My Yahoo page: http://us.i1.yimg.com/us.yimg.com/i/us/my/addtomyyahoo2.gif

        Scot Petersen
        Scot Petersen
        Scot Petersen is a technology analyst at Ziff Brothers Investments, a private investment firm. Prior to joining Ziff Brothers, Scot was the editorial director, Business Applications & Architecture, at TechTarget. Before that, he was the director, Editorial Operations, at Ziff Davis Enterprise, While at Ziff Davis Media, he was a writer and editor at eWEEK.

        Get the Free Newsletter!

        Subscribe to Daily Tech Insider for top news, trends & analysis

        Get the Free Newsletter!

        Subscribe to Daily Tech Insider for top news, trends & analysis

        MOST POPULAR ARTICLES

        Artificial Intelligence

        9 Best AI 3D Generators You Need...

        Sam Rinko - June 25, 2024 0
        AI 3D Generators are powerful tools for many different industries. Discover the best AI 3D Generators, and learn which is best for your specific use case.
        Read more
        Cloud

        RingCentral Expands Its Collaboration Platform

        Zeus Kerravala - November 22, 2023 0
        RingCentral adds AI-enabled contact center and hybrid event products to its suite of collaboration services.
        Read more
        Artificial Intelligence

        8 Best AI Data Analytics Software &...

        Aminu Abdullahi - January 18, 2024 0
        Learn the top AI data analytics software to use. Compare AI data analytics solutions & features to make the best choice for your business.
        Read more
        Latest News

        Zeus Kerravala on Networking: Multicloud, 5G, and...

        James Maguire - December 16, 2022 0
        I spoke with Zeus Kerravala, industry analyst at ZK Research, about the rapid changes in enterprise networking, as tech advances and digital transformation prompt...
        Read more
        Video

        Datadog President Amit Agarwal on Trends in...

        James Maguire - November 11, 2022 0
        I spoke with Amit Agarwal, President of Datadog, about infrastructure observability, from current trends to key challenges to the future of this rapidly growing...
        Read more
        Logo

        eWeek has the latest technology news and analysis, buying guides, and product reviews for IT professionals and technology buyers. The site’s focus is on innovative solutions and covering in-depth technical content. eWeek stays on the cutting edge of technology news and IT trends through interviews and expert analysis. Gain insight from top innovators and thought leaders in the fields of IT, business, enterprise software, startups, and more.

        Facebook
        Linkedin
        RSS
        Twitter
        Youtube

        Advertisers

        Advertise with TechnologyAdvice on eWeek and our other IT-focused platforms.

        Advertise with Us

        Menu

        • About eWeek
        • Subscribe to our Newsletter
        • Latest News

        Our Brands

        • Privacy Policy
        • Terms
        • About
        • Contact
        • Advertise
        • Sitemap
        • California – Do Not Sell My Information

        Property of TechnologyAdvice.
        © 2024 TechnologyAdvice. All Rights Reserved

        Advertiser Disclosure: Some of the products that appear on this site are from companies from which TechnologyAdvice receives compensation. This compensation may impact how and where products appear on this site including, for example, the order in which they appear. TechnologyAdvice does not include all companies or all types of products available in the marketplace.