Microsoft:Will it be able to contain and win the "Open Source"

The Microsoft - Open source scene is heating up fast and furious! In an earlier post i had mentioned the open source as the anto thesis of Microsoft's philosphy. http://technologyandtelecom.blogspot.com/2009/02/open-source-microsofts-anti-thesis.html

It looks like the Redmond giant is waking up to the reality of the open source as the next evolution in computing history and Microsoft has a strategy to hold this threat or atleast ride it. On the surface it looks like a two pronged strategy eventually leading to Microsoft evolving into an open source product itself. Voila! A change in philosophy is on the cards!

The two pronged strategy revolves around a holding action and a transformative stance! The holding action is to position Windows as something on which an open source can be run. On the otherhand, they will fight the open source to be a replacement of Windows by transforming Windows into an open source product in the next 1-2 years. Thus, on one hand, they'll be building a great place for open source to play; on the other hand, they'll continue to try and prevent it from eating into the walled kingdom they've created on the desktop.

It is not a marked departure from their earlier character of defending their products with lawsuits, patents and antitrust actions. Only this time, they would like to befriend the challenger, learn the terrain an then outrun the "open source" challenge.

This is going to be fascinating and every biuut, worth waiting and watching for!