Microsoft Eases "Shared Source" Restrictions

An anonymous reader writes "In an effort to help device makers differentiate their products and compete more vigorously with Linux, Microsoft is eliminating major restrictions on the use of its "shared source" license for the Windows CE operating system. The change, which accompanies the impending full release of Windows CE 5.0, will counter competition from Linux and is likely to expand Microsoft's slice of the roughly $1B embedded OS market pie. Specifically, the new version of the Win CE Shared Source license will, for the first time, enable developers anywhere in the world to include modified Windows CE code within commercial products without having to sublicense the modifications back to Microsoft. Interestingly, the revised Shared Source terms are reminiscent of the BSD open source license, which permits the development of proprietary derivatives that need not be shared with the community, in contrast to the GPL, which obligates developers to make their modifications available to the public."

nothing says BSD is dying like...

[Anonymous Coward]

nothing says BSD is dying like MS moving in on your turf.

Microsoft shares, who'da thunk it...

[Theovon]

It's an irony. Microsoft counters the GPL with an even less restrictive license.

Free Software will rule the world, and Microsoft will play multiple parts in making that happen. :)

Re:It's All Sun's Fault

[Anonymous Coward]

Ah but you see, Microsoft always steals other peoples' ideas, bastardises them and announces them as great new revolutionary breakthroughs to the World. The ignorant Microsoft fans will see this as True Innovation. Don't you see it? Now that Microsoft and Sun a friends, Microsoft can do what they did 20 years ago, and give it all to SCO who will rule the world in a bloody reign of terror for a thousand years. You will all have 666 imprinted upon your foreheads. The plan is nearly complete. Muhahahahahahahahahahah.

M$ adopting Linux features

[PhysicsGenius]

Two can play that game. I call on the Linux community to:

• Create bloat in disk and RAM usage
• Access NULL pointers to decrease stability
• Program major security holes into common apps like xterm

Let's level the playing field!

this is FANTASTIC!

[MEGAMAID]

Spread windows far and wide. Now when the next MSvirus hits it can take out all the other appliances too!

"ffs! How many time do we have to tell you, you need to run windows update on your microwave at least once a week"

lines of code

[primus_sucks]

more than 2.5 million lines of code...

Just what I always wanted in my embedded OS!

In Soviet Russia...

[Anonymous Coward]

The source opens you!

OMG, Forking!

[fermion]

Make no mistake, this leaves the Windows operating system open to a wide array of potentially fatal problems. Thousands of developers worldwide, who YOU DON"T EVEN KNOW, are going to write the code that YOU USE. You will have no assurance that the code is to the quality specifications of MS. The OS you are running may even have easter eggs added by TERRORISTS. And you will have no way of knowing.

This license also induces MASSIVE FORKING. You will have no way of knowing that the version of Windows you use will work the way you expect. Millions of version of Windows CE will be created, each slightly incompatible.

Comment removed

[account_deleted]

Comment removed based on user account deletion

Update your microwave

[LemonYellow]

Ah, imagine the fun someone could have with a network-attached WinCE microwave: // virus.c
while(true) {
if(microwave.containsPet()) {
door.close();
microwave.start(Power::High, 30);
} else sleep(5);
}

Re:Just because its source is available

[gbjbaanb]

you have to develop using the methodology, not just slap an "open source" license on it

you mean, you have to submit all changes to Bill Gates who decides what goes into the CE kernel or not?

Re:lines of code

[Rassleholic]

more than 2.5 million lines of code...

Just 500k more lines of code and you got a nice looking pony.........as long as the code is BASIC........and the holoshed doesn't malfunction.

Re:Put your anti-MS rantings down for a bit

[Anonymous Coward]

You're new here, aren't you...

Umm, excuse me, but

[Anonymous Coward]

"They are recting to Linux rather than leading the IT market."

Point well taken, except that Microsoft has, by-and-large, _never_ lead the IT market. Never. What they have done a good job of is buying good ideas from others, and shoving their own mediocre ideas down eveybody's throats via their marketshare and bundling contracts.

What is changing ever so slightly is that Microsoft doesn't necessarily make all the rules any more. And that is very dangerous for a company that has such an addiction to cash on one hand and, on the other, millions of stockholders who still look to them as a growth company that is going to single-handedly finance their retirement.

Dell might still be their lapdog but I bet they fear mightily a shareholder mutiny.