Article:		Why O'Reilly and .NET?
Subject:		Good Move!
Date:		2001-06-04 09:06:55
From:		jregel
I'm amazed at the emotional trolling in response to a well written piece. I'm a strong Open Source advocate, but I fail to see why O'Reilly producing material on .NET can be seen as "selling out". The .NET platform is technically interesting and does pose a big threat to the Open Source community. Our response should be to get informed, and then do something about it. Saying that "Microsoft Sux" and then accusing O'Reilly's of "betraying" us is an immature response. So, I say "thanks" to O'Reilly's for giving us the information that we need. Unlike some sources, we can be assured that the .NET coverage will be more than just a rehashing of Microsoft press releases. The .NET vision is all encompassing, and if it becomes a de facto standard, it will make life very difficult for Open Source projects. Some things like Hailstorm are downright scary. We need to get our collective heads out of the sand and start thinking about providing an alternative. Throwing a tantrum and throwing toys from the pram isn't going to help when you need a Microsoft Passport account to buy stuff from your favourite site.

Showing messages 1 through 3 of 3.

• Good Move!
  2001-06-04 10:39:42  Dale Dougherty | [Reply | View]
  
  
  Thanks for your message. You expressed our goals in addressing .NET even better perhaps than I did.
• Good Move!
  2001-06-04 15:37:41  juantay [Reply | View]
  
  
  Dale,
  
  What you're forgetting is this:
  
  Let me see if I can explain. Microsoft is about Marketing. This is basically all they know how to do. They don't need to worry about Innovation in the true meaning of the term. They just need to find ways to tie everything to their stuff.
  
  The Open Community seeks Innovation.
  
  You have the Yin and the Yang going on here. Except the Yang (or is it the Yin?) is not "Playing well with Others". And this "not playing well with others" in terms of the Yin is what drives them.
  
  Microsoft Developers are very different from say Java Developers. Microsoft people believe programming is about Business. Java people about Innovation and the art itself.
  
  What you have on the O'Reilly portal from the 'Business' perspective is praising Microsoft. What you have from the technical perspective is not as if you think the technical perspective, the logical perspective is the most important thing. But it's not the most important thing to Microsoft Developers, the most important thing for them is the 'Business' or 'Marketing' perspective. The most important part to Companies is the 'Business' or 'Marketing' perspective.
  
  In other words, what it ends up being is that you'll just wind up promoting Microsoft because of the different 'species' that's being dealt with IHMO.
  
  That's all I Have to Say.
  
  
  Bill Gates is licking his chops at O'Reilly..
  
  
  Juantay
  
  
  
• Good Move!
  2003-06-06 08:46:43  anonymous2 [Reply | View]
  
  
  It's time to grow up kids. I personally Like .net after hating MS for years I think they are taking a step in the right direction. Besides I don't think that any of you would mind bein Billy Boy Gates. I know I wouldn't.