Microsoft Loves Linux for Business

Microsoft joined the Linux Foundation as a platinum member in 2016

Microsoft joined the Linux Foundation as a platinum member in 2016

It was surprising to see Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella presenting the slide "Microsoft Loves Linux". His smiling face hinted us to guess whether he cracked a great joke or saying a truth. But it was an official reality because Microsoft had opened a division for open source software development long back. So that was a long plan executed at the right time. Free and open source software (FOSS) and GNU/Linux already crafted a future for the people. Business possibilities are flourishing around FOSS and GNU/Linux. Microsoft joined the Linux Foundation to embrace the potential business opportunities in and around GNU/Linux.

Somebody rejected to accept Microsoft OS License in 1999 and got refund!

Microsoft's dominance over operating system (OS) market is well-known. Most home users depend on windows OS because the computer vendors are selling most of their computers with pre-installed windows OS.

Do you remember the case in 1999 when somebody rejected to accept Microsoft License? The unwilling person got his money back for unused Microsoft OS.This happened many a times. Dell refunded PC user for rejecting windows vista. This was not a pleasant news for Microsoft.

Recently a part of that market has been captured by Mac. Some computer vendors started to sell computers without pre-installed windows OS and with FreeDOS OS.

Microsoft also signed a MoU with the Raspberry Pi Foundation in 2015

Everyday more than 5000 school children around the world are getting introduced to Raspberry Pi and GNU/Linux. This fact made Microsoft to sign a MoU with the Raspberry Pi Foundation so as to see that their OS also runs on Raspberry Pi. That is a good news for the windows users, although that is not as powerful as GNU/Linux on Raspberry Pi devices.

So why did Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella present the slide "Microsoft Loves Linux"?

Satya Nadella's tactics to acquire the trust of the FOSS community is great. Soon after that Microsoft acquired LinkedIn which is known to run mainly on FOSS. So the business plan is for the future. Microsoft think tank might have guessed that they can't have the monopoly in the OS business in the long run.

33% of Microsoft Azure Virtual Machines Now Run Linux Operating System

Microsoft admitted using Linux servers for providing its Azure cloud service. We should not forget that Microsoft had opened a division for open source software development long back. That was a long term plan. Only it was executed at the right time. FOSS and GNU/Linux already crafted a lovely future for the people. Business possibilities are flourishing around FOSS and GNU/Linux. Microsoft joined the Linux Foundation to embrace the potential business opportunities in and around GNU/Linux.

What is happening around GNU/Linux and FOSS? Are the commercial software giants doing in and around GNU/Linux and FOSS? I will be happy to get your views, counter views and suggestions. Please share the post among your network.

Also published on LinkedIn.

Here are some other posts I authored:

• Glasses-Free 3D Displays Empower Smartphones, TVs, Tablets and Digital Signage
• Memory-Driven Computing is the Next Big Thing
• Why GNU/Linux is not Accepted by the Academic Community?
• Unix-like Operating Systems are Safer to Malware and Virus Attacks
• Why Google and Microsoft Run after Glass and Lens?
• Power of a LinkedIn Connection
• Best Solution to Software Virus
• Need 15 Tips to Eat a Biscuit?

In June 2015, Dr. Jeffrey Strickland and I founded a new LinkedIn Group called "The Unfluencers". To learn about the history of "The Unfluencers" please read the seminal LinkedIn article by Dr. Jeffrey Strickland entitled -- "Who are the Unfluencers". This group is an open group. You are welcome to join this group and engage yourself in the discussions. The Unfluencerᵀᴹ Logo is a registered trademark of Dr. Jeffrey Strickland.

Text Copyright 2017 Debesh Choudhury — All Rights Reserved 

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Debesh Choudhury is an academician and researcher. He is interested in the science and engineering of optics and electronics. He uses GNU/Linux, Free and Open Source Software for all his works related to computers, be it educational or entertainment, professional or personal.

#Linux #FreeSoftware #Microsoft