A tiny but strategic Silicon Valley company is helping Microsoft to certify open source applications for Windows Server 2008. It’s a super-smart move by Microsoft, The VAR Guy believes, as the software giant strives to compete effectively with Linux and ensure Windows Server remains popular in the age of open source.
First, let’s be clear: Despite growing Linux deployments, Windows Server remains quite popular for running open source applications. SugarCRM, the fast-growing open source application provider, is quick to note that many of its business developments occur on Windows Server. And Microsoft itself has sponsored SugarCRM’s conferences, in order to stay in front of open source crowds.
But Microsoft isn’t stopping there. The company is working with SpikeSource to ensure open source applications work with Windows Server 2008. SpikeSource has so far certified five PHP applications for Microsoft’s new server operating system, according to SpikeSource’s Web site.
The VAR Guy first heard about SpikeSource in November 2006, and he has watched the company a bit since that time. The company specializes in certified open source server stacks. And also has a relationship with Intel, according to the chip giant’s corporate blog, and the chip giant apparently is pumping $10 million fresh dollars into SpikeSource, according to this Intel press release.
At first glance, that’s ironic: Wintel pumping money into an open source startup. But Intel has long supported open source companies, and Microsoft is learning to do the same — at least for selected, highly strategic engagements.
That’s certainly the case with Windows Server 2008, where Microsoft hopes Windows replaces Linux in the LAMP stack, according to All About Microsoft blogger Mary Jo Foley.
Related Coverage:
- March 14, 2007: Red Hat Prepares Business Application Stacks
- November 20, 2006: Building An Open Source Server Stack
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Open source on Windows Server? Not in my organization. There’s an L in LAMP for a reason. Linux!
Microsoft has finally accepted reality and is kowtowing to the open source revolution. That is good news since many businesses are still wont to move towards Linux as a server solution.
[...] compete effectively with Linux and ensure Windows Server remains popular in the age of open source. Here’s the scoop. A tiny but strategic Silicon Valley company is helping Microsoft to certify open source [...]
[...] Microsoft Certifying Open Source Apps for Windows Server 2008 Filed under: rss — bob@lxer.com @ 6:55 am A tiny but strategic Silicon Valley company is helping Microsoft to certify open source applications for Windows Server 2008. It?s a super-smart move by Microsoft, The VAR Guy believes, as the software giant strives to compete effectively with Linux and ensure Windows Server remains popular in the age of open source. Here’s the scoop. [...]
The company I work for was hesitant to try Linux as a platform, mainly because they guys with the cheque books believed the FUD that Microsoft are so good at spreading, the usual business mentality finding it hard to understand open source along, with an I.T department that is half full of windows monkey GUI gimps. I doubt now they would ever consider moving back to a Windows Server platform where their is a Linux option, now that they have experienced Linux in our working environment, even if Linux came at the same price as MS server.
[...] 4 april 2008 | Av bob@lxer.com | Publicerad i Andra språk, Engelska, LXer Linux News, Linux A tiny but strategic Silicon Valley company is helping Microsoft to certify open source applications for Windows Server 2008. It?s a super-smart move by Microsoft, The VAR Guy believes, as the software giant strives to compete effectively with Linux and ensure Windows Server remains popular in the age of open source. Here’s the scoop. [...]
Applicazioni opensource certificate per Windows Server 2008…
…
LAMP vs WAMP ….
Story added…
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Ah but will it be WAMP or WASP?
[...] Microsoft Certifying Open Source Apps for Windows Server 2008 | The VAR Guy (tags: spikesource msft php certified opensource) [...]
This is good for Microsoft, but even better for open source software and SugarCRM specifically. Off the top, let me say that open source software, in most cases, provides strong and credible alternatives and competition for non-open products. SugarCRM is a great example of this having grown into one of the most popular and widely-used CRM packages in the world. Now in light of this latest Microsoft development, let me say that for some organizations and enterprises the Microsoft seal of approval gives open source software a boost in credibility. Over time CIO’s and IT managers that previously never even considered open source will begin to entertain open source as an alternative and an option. Open source didn’t need the Microsoft seal of approval, but it doesn’t hurt.
David: You’ve made several strong points. And frankly, The VAR Guy can say little other than he agrees with your views.