The software giant shocked everyone at the Open Source Convention (OSCON) today when it decided to sponsor $100,000 toward the Apache Software Foundation (ASF). Justin Erenkratz, ASF president, believes that this is a step in the right direction toward interoperability between Apache and Microsoft. However, Microsoft’s Sam Ranji clearly states that this isn’t a move away from Microsoft’s strategic web server. Still, could this mean that Microsoft is finally seeing the light in Open Source development?

The ASF is a non profit corporation of developers that provide guidance and organization to the Apache community and its software. Its “Apache Way” is a philosophy held amongst the Apache developers that encourages collaborative stewardship and volunteerism.

Microsoft not only pledged financially to the organization, but it also contributed technologically and legally. In a recent post on the Port 25 blog, Ranji said that Microsoft is planning adding a patch to ADOdb, a PHP data access layer. It gives developers SQL Server support in PHP. In addition, it’s also putting together protocols that “guarantee their [developers] freedom from any patent claims from Microsoft now or in the future, and include both Microsoft-developed and industry developed protocols.”

Jim Jagiel, Chairman of the ASF, had this to say about Microsoft’s contributions:

We thank Microsoft for their generous sponsorship that goes toward supporting The Apache Software Foundation and the over 60 top level projects in use and development with ASF… The ASF Sponsorship program is an excellent way for companies and organizations to show their commitment and enthusiasm toward the ASF and The Apache Way… Microsoft’s sponsorship makes it clear that Microsoft ‘gets it’ regarding the ASF.

According to Ars Technica, Erenkrantz believes that this Microsoft will continue to work with them to develop open source programs capable of using Microsoft standards. He was quick to point out the Apache POI, which offers Java libraries for using Office file formats.

Although it isn’t quite clear why Microsoft decided to do this, considering the fact that it has never believed in the Open Source business model (if there even is one). It has clearly stated that it’s not giving up on its web technology. However, in Ranji’s blog post, he does mention an “endorsement of The Apache Way.” Perhaps Microsoft is finally seeing some value in working with Open Source developers.

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Entry was posted on Saturday, July 26th, 2008 at 12:57 am under Microsoft, Open source.  Print This Post

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