hard candy
08-11-2004, 03:36 PM
From various sources today:
LINUS TORVALDS, the creator of upstart operating system Linux, will head a new division within Microsoft to develop a version of Linux to replace old PC BIOS. Information contained in a Microsoft memo leaked to the British publication OS Register indicated that Windows XP is the last old-fashioned version of Microsoft OS and that the next version of Microsoft Windows will be able to fully utilize the new BIOS.
Microsoft also plans to reorganize the hardware group into several divisions with one being headed by Linus Torvalds and the other concentrating on the providing help all major PC manufacturer to switch to new technology, possibly by the end of the year.
Torvalds, who had been working for Transmeta -- the company that has close ties with Microsoft with Microsoft co-founder Paul Allen as a major stockholder , and now works for OSDL will head the newly created Linux BIOS group. He also has reportedly also been paid $US100 million in stock and cash for the rights to use the Linux trademark. Microsoft officials would not comment on Torvalds' salary and duties.
A Microsoft source, speaking on condition of anonymity, said the company decided that Linux kernel will be perfect replacement for the old PC BIOS. He said Microsoft President Steve Ballmer had stressed that such an approach represent the philosophy ``if you can't beat `em, join `em approach'', similar to the one ``we used when we embraced the Internet''. There are many overlapping functions that are performed by both NT and Linux and moving some of them to the BIOS level makes perfect sense. PCs just outgrow old IBM BIOS and really need a new one. He stresses that Linux kernel already supports FAT32 filesystem perfectly well and that Microsoft is working on improving support for its flagship NTFS filesystem.
Torvalds was tight-lipped when contacted, but said Microsoft had ``he always respected Microsoft technical achievements in applications area and that they made him an offer he can't refuse''.
``Anyway, it's time to make some dough from this open source thing. With Linux companies stocks in the trash bin I cannot buy a Ferrari for myself and new BMW for my wife. And I have three growing daughters and they soon will need decent cars too. Currently I cannot even think about personal yacht. Where's the justice in that?'' Torvalds said. ``Microsoft isn't all that bad and it really cares about its employees. And the new BIOS will be definitely better than they have before. And it remains open sourced''
Open source advocates contacted by Yellow Register expressed shock at Torvalds sudden change of heart. ``I can't believe it. I'm really shocked,'' a Melbourne Linux developer said. ``Don't do it, Linus,'' another urged. ``First it was (Open Source evangelist) Eric Raymond and now Linus. Who next, (Free Software Foundation founder) Richard Stallman?'' ``I knew it as soon as I heard he (Torvalds) had gone to work for (Paul Allen's company) Transmeta,'' a poster to alt.microsoft.sucks said. ``They couldn't develop it, so they're going to buy it, just like they did with DOS.''
International MetaData Corporation Advanced Technology Markets program director, Trave Stylowlife, said it was a classic example of a smart business decision that turns the tables for IBM and Sun. ``Both IBM and Sun wanted to play Linux card against Microsoft, but Microsoft again proved that they are just smarter than the competition '' he said. Other observers stressed that the timing is perfect that kernel 2.6 is mature enough to replace old BIOS. That also might help to deflect any action the US Government may take against the company in the future. ``By embracing Linux as a new BIOS, Gates effectively short circuits any claims of Microsoft being a monopoly. `This strategic move will serve Microsoft well in the new Millennium. Now I am pretty confident that Microsoft will remain the dominant player in PC operating systems area for many years to come."
BSD anyone?
LINUS TORVALDS, the creator of upstart operating system Linux, will head a new division within Microsoft to develop a version of Linux to replace old PC BIOS. Information contained in a Microsoft memo leaked to the British publication OS Register indicated that Windows XP is the last old-fashioned version of Microsoft OS and that the next version of Microsoft Windows will be able to fully utilize the new BIOS.
Microsoft also plans to reorganize the hardware group into several divisions with one being headed by Linus Torvalds and the other concentrating on the providing help all major PC manufacturer to switch to new technology, possibly by the end of the year.
Torvalds, who had been working for Transmeta -- the company that has close ties with Microsoft with Microsoft co-founder Paul Allen as a major stockholder , and now works for OSDL will head the newly created Linux BIOS group. He also has reportedly also been paid $US100 million in stock and cash for the rights to use the Linux trademark. Microsoft officials would not comment on Torvalds' salary and duties.
A Microsoft source, speaking on condition of anonymity, said the company decided that Linux kernel will be perfect replacement for the old PC BIOS. He said Microsoft President Steve Ballmer had stressed that such an approach represent the philosophy ``if you can't beat `em, join `em approach'', similar to the one ``we used when we embraced the Internet''. There are many overlapping functions that are performed by both NT and Linux and moving some of them to the BIOS level makes perfect sense. PCs just outgrow old IBM BIOS and really need a new one. He stresses that Linux kernel already supports FAT32 filesystem perfectly well and that Microsoft is working on improving support for its flagship NTFS filesystem.
Torvalds was tight-lipped when contacted, but said Microsoft had ``he always respected Microsoft technical achievements in applications area and that they made him an offer he can't refuse''.
``Anyway, it's time to make some dough from this open source thing. With Linux companies stocks in the trash bin I cannot buy a Ferrari for myself and new BMW for my wife. And I have three growing daughters and they soon will need decent cars too. Currently I cannot even think about personal yacht. Where's the justice in that?'' Torvalds said. ``Microsoft isn't all that bad and it really cares about its employees. And the new BIOS will be definitely better than they have before. And it remains open sourced''
Open source advocates contacted by Yellow Register expressed shock at Torvalds sudden change of heart. ``I can't believe it. I'm really shocked,'' a Melbourne Linux developer said. ``Don't do it, Linus,'' another urged. ``First it was (Open Source evangelist) Eric Raymond and now Linus. Who next, (Free Software Foundation founder) Richard Stallman?'' ``I knew it as soon as I heard he (Torvalds) had gone to work for (Paul Allen's company) Transmeta,'' a poster to alt.microsoft.sucks said. ``They couldn't develop it, so they're going to buy it, just like they did with DOS.''
International MetaData Corporation Advanced Technology Markets program director, Trave Stylowlife, said it was a classic example of a smart business decision that turns the tables for IBM and Sun. ``Both IBM and Sun wanted to play Linux card against Microsoft, but Microsoft again proved that they are just smarter than the competition '' he said. Other observers stressed that the timing is perfect that kernel 2.6 is mature enough to replace old BIOS. That also might help to deflect any action the US Government may take against the company in the future. ``By embracing Linux as a new BIOS, Gates effectively short circuits any claims of Microsoft being a monopoly. `This strategic move will serve Microsoft well in the new Millennium. Now I am pretty confident that Microsoft will remain the dominant player in PC operating systems area for many years to come."
BSD anyone?