Three Scenarios For How Microsoft's Open Source Threat Could End

As it builds a stable of license partners, Microsoft gains a stake, however small, in the expansion of open source. Through its deal with Novell, Microsoft now gets money from every SUSE Linux license sold. It tries to double, triple, quadruple that.

Microsoft quietly gears up its Open Source Software Lab, headed by Sam Ramji, which ensures that Windows works smoothly with JBoss middleware and other open source code. It accelerates the half steps it had been taking toward open source-like practices in its own development and release cycles. It responds more quickly to user feedback and generates an active, critical, and more open community around its Windows and Office franchises.