How to get Vista back on track: open source it

. . . keeping an eye on the penguin

Keywords: Match:

Apr. 26, 2006

If Microsoft really wants to make Vista a great desktop operating system, it should open-source it.

I'll bet you think I'm being sarcastic. I'm not. I'm quite serious.

Vista is a mess. I know it. Windows experts know it. Even Microsoft's own aren't happy with it.

Microsoft may yet pull out more features from Vista to make its January 2007 deadline. Will we ever see WinFS? The latest Vista CTP (community technology previews) -- read betas -- have started running late again.

Why is all this happening? Microsofties in the trenches like to blame the leadership. Jim Allchin, the lame-duck co-president of Microsoft's Platforms & Services Division, said in late March that overall quality issues -- especially security, drivers, and performance -- were why Vista was being delayed.

Can this operating system be saved?

Well, first, I don't think anything can really get Vista out the door in January. To be more precise, I don't think a version of Vista can arrive this coming winter that anyone in their right mind will want to run.

But, if Microsoft could summon up the guts to abandon its clearly failed massive software development path for an open-source approach, they just might be able to pull a decent desktop operating system out of Vista sometime in 2007.

I'm not suggesting that Microsoft put its code under the GPL. Hell really would freeze over before that happened.

But, Sun has shown that you can open-source an operating system and still keep essential control of it. Sun's has managed to open-source its Solaris operating system under the name of OpenSolaris with its handcrafted CDDL (Common Development and Distribution License), while still calling the operating system shots.

Of course, Microsoft would have to clean the code up of any IP (intellectual property) entangled code that's hiding within Windows. But, Black Duck Software has shown that its programs are capable of digging up legal code problems.

Besides, it's not like Microsoft is any stranger of having to deal with tearing out someone else's IP from its programs. Just this month, Microsoft's Internet Explorer patch changed how ActiveX worked, not for any security reason, but to avoid any further patent problems with Eolas Technologies.

Maybe, if Microsoft open-sourced Vista, we'd also finally see a relatively secure version of Windows. After all, as yet another zero-day attack on Internet Explorer pops up, it's not like anyone can really argue with a straight face that Microsoft's proprietary method of baking in software security is working.

Of course, all this would require a radical change not just in how Microsoft creates programs, but in the company's entire culture.

Still, if Microsoft really wants to deliver quality software, isn't it about time the folks up in Redmond finally embrace open-source? After-all, they could hardly do worse, could they?

-- Steven J. Vaughan-Nichols

Do you have comments on this story?

Talkback here
NOTE: Please post your comments regarding our articles using the above link. Be sure to use this article's title as the "Subject" in your posts. Before you create a new thread, please check to see if a discussion thread is already running on the article you plan to comment on. Thanks!

(Click here for further information)

7 Advantages of D2D Backup
For decades, tape has been the backup medium of choice. But, now, disk-to-disk (D2D) backup is gaining in favor. Learn why you should make the move in this whitepaper.

4 Legal Reasons to Control Internet Access
The Internet is obviously a valuable resource for many organizations. However, many are exposed to legal liability concerns because they fail to control Internet access. Learn if you're safe in this white paper.

Rapidly Resolve J2EE Application Problems
Whether you are in the process of building J2EE applications or have J2EE applications already running in production, you must ensure that they deliver the expected ROI. Learn how in this white paper.

Load Testing 2.0 for Web 2.0
There are many unknowns in stress testing Web 2.0 applications. Find out how to test the performance of Web 2.0 in this white paper.

Build Better Games Online
For the game infrastructure providers, life is complex. Making money from games has become more complicated. Why? Find out in this white paper.

Building a Virtual Infrastructure from Servers to Storage
This white paper discusses the virtual storage solutions that reduce cost, increase storage utilization, and address the challenges of backing up and restoring Server environments.

Gaining Faster Wireless Connections with WiMAX
Welcome to what is quickly becoming the hyperconnected world where anything that would benefit from being connected to the network will be connected. Learn more in this white paper.

Is Your Desktop a Security Threat?
The new wave of sophisticated crimeware not only targets specific companies, but also targets desktops and laptops as backdoor entryways into those business’ operations and resources. Learn how to stay safe in this white paper.

Increasing SAN Reliability by 100 Percent
Storage area networks (SAN) are a strong part of storage plans. Learn how to increase your reliability and uptime by 100 percent in this case study.

Got a HOT tip? please tell us!

ADVERTISEMENT
(Advertise here)

Also visit:
• eWEEK's Linux center
• Dev Shed
and, our 'evil twin'...
• Microsoft-Watch.com

Latest Linux-Watch Posts

• Worst security blooper ever?
• Novell offers RHEL, CentOS support
• Windows 7 no threat to netbook Linux
• Microsoft breaks HotMail for Linux users?
• Torvalds: Real quality means taking it personally
• Opinion: open source value transcends tough times
• OpenOffice 3.0 reviewed
• Shutting down idle PCs with Linux
• Linux valued at $10.9 billion
• UK gains LPI affiliate
More Linux-Watch posts

DesktopLinux headlines:
• "Moonlight" ready to shine
• Adobe unleashes 64-bit Flash
• Debian Lenny installer arrives
• Ubuntu announces ARM port
• Amazon offers Linux XOs
• Windows 7 "no threat" to netbook Linux
• Creative frees Sound Blaster driver code
• Linux, netbooks threaten Microsoft's fat profits
• Ibex inspires GNOME switch
• Linux to outship Windows in 2009?
More DesktopLinux news

LinuxDevices headlines:
• Tactical Linux computer muscles up
• Virtualization technology targets multi-core ARM
• Die-shrunk x86 SoC draws 2 Watts at 1GHz
• Webinars explore RTOS-to-Linux driver migration
• Open phone goes robotic
• MontaVista touts Android readiness
• USB Linux key targets netbooks
• Via panel PC resists shock, liquids
• Linux provider touts support award
• World's smallest humanoid robot can run Linux
More LinuxDevices news

Dev Shed

Powered By Dev Shed

Linux vs. Windows?

• in the enterprise
• in gadgets & devices

Linux conquers smartphones!

...read all about 'em

news feed

Home \| News \| Forum \| About \| Contact

	Ziff Davis Enterprise Home \| Contact Us \| Advertise \| Link to Us \| Reprints \| Magazine Subscriptions \| Newsletters Tech RSS Feeds \| White Papers \| ROI Calculators \| Tech Podcasts \| Tech Video \| VARs \| Channel News
	Baseline \| Careers \| Channel Insider \| CIO Insight \| DesktopLinux \| DeviceForge \| DevSource \| eSeminars \| eWEEK \| Enterprise Network Security \| LinuxDevices \| Linux Watch \| Microsoft Watch \| Mid-market \| Networking \| PDF Zone \| Publish \| Security IT Hub \| Strategic Partner \| Web Buyer's Guide \| Windows for Devices
	Developer Shed \| Dev Shed \| ASP Free \| Dev Articles \| Dev Hardware \| SEO Chat \| Tutorialized \| Scripts \| Code Walkers \| Web Hosters \| Dev Mechanic \| Dev Archives \| igrep
Use of this site is governed by our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy. Except where otherwise specified, the contents of this site are copyright © 1999-2008 Ziff Davis Enterprise Holdings Inc. All Rights Reserved. Reproduction in whole or in part in any form or medium without express written permission of Ziff Davis Enterprise is prohibited. Linux is a registered trademark of Linus Torvalds. All other marks are the property of their respective owners.

Home \| News \| Forum \| About \| Contact

	Ziff Davis Enterprise Home \| Contact Us \| Advertise \| Link to Us \| Reprints \| Magazine Subscriptions \| Newsletters Tech RSS Feeds \| White Papers \| ROI Calculators \| Tech Podcasts \| Tech Video \| VARs \| Channel News
	Baseline \| Careers \| Channel Insider \| CIO Insight \| DesktopLinux \| DeviceForge \| DevSource \| eSeminars \| eWEEK \| Enterprise Network Security \| LinuxDevices \| Linux Watch \| Microsoft Watch \| Mid-market \| Networking \| PDF Zone \| Publish \| Security IT Hub \| Strategic Partner \| Web Buyer's Guide \| Windows for Devices
	Developer Shed \| Dev Shed \| ASP Free \| Dev Articles \| Dev Hardware \| SEO Chat \| Tutorialized \| Scripts \| Code Walkers \| Web Hosters \| Dev Mechanic \| Dev Archives \| igrep
Use of this site is governed by our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy. Except where otherwise specified, the contents of this site are copyright © 1999-2008 Ziff Davis Enterprise Holdings Inc. All Rights Reserved. Reproduction in whole or in part in any form or medium without express written permission of Ziff Davis Enterprise is prohibited. Linux is a registered trademark of Linus Torvalds. All other marks are the property of their respective owners.