main

Microsoft Takes Linux For A Test Drive

malebolgia   on 02 August 2003 - 02:31 · 12 comments & 651 views

Advertisement (Why?)
Vendor plans to do side-by-side comparisons between Linux and Windows in lab environment.

In an effort to better understand its main source of competition, Microsoft has deployed Linux and other open-source software in a test center that's typically used by its business customers to experiment with Microsoft's own products. At its Enterprise Engineering Center in Redmond, Wash., Microsoft has installed the Linux operating system, Apache Web server, MySQL database, and Open LDAP directory-access software on Intel-based computers, according to Martin Taylor, the executive who recently assumed responsibility for Microsoft's strategy for competing against Linux.

The project was started in May with an initial goal of determining the effort involved in building the kind of open-source platform that might be found in a typical business environment. "It's an opportunity for learning for us," Taylor says. The goal is to understand "what can you do and how can you do it" using open-source software, he says. Next, Microsoft plans to create a comparable system using Windows and its own server products to see how Windows and Linux match up side-by-side in a variety of workload scenarios.

News source: InformationWeek


Microsoft's server division is the only business unit at Microsoft, besides those responsible for Windows and Office, that made money in the previous quarter. At today's analyst meeting, Microsoft will announce a change to a unit accountability system which will address this problem. The idea is that Microsoft's money-losing operations will no longer be quietly bolstered by the sales of its successful products, and each business unit will have to cost-justify their products' existence. [That would be apart from the Xbox boys eh?]

Post a comment · Send to friend Comments · There are 12 additional comments
(2 replies) #1 Danrarbc641 on 02 Aug 2003 - 03:17
And they haven't tried this before?

Wow, kinda stupid. I'd think the FIRST thing you'd want to do is find out what your competitor can do.
#1.1 gameguy on 02 Aug 2003 - 03:21
it's not for microsoft, it's for their customers.

QUOTE
Microsoft has deployed Linux and other open-source software in a test center that's typically used by its business customers to experiment with Microsoft's own products. At its Enterprise Engineering Center in Redmond, Wash., Microsoft has installed the Linux operating system, Apache Web server, MySQL database, and Open LDAP directory-access software on Intel-based computers
#1.2 Danrarbc641 on 02 Aug 2003 - 03:32
"it's not for microsoft, it's for their customers."

I thought they said it was an opportunity to learn for them. The initial goal being to determine the effort needed to build a "typical business environment". Certainly sounds like they're talking about themselves.


If I'm wrong I'll gladly admit it. But the second paragraph REALLY sounds like the experiment is for MS more than it is for anyone else.

Last edited by 4597 on 02 Aug 2003 - 03:41
(1 reply) #2 Solarix on 02 Aug 2003 - 03:55
make windows , unix based
#2.1 MR_Candyman on 02 Aug 2003 - 04:18
I was daydreaming that happening today during my 12 hours of driving...and then I laughed and said it'd never happen...

now I find out there's a possibility....
#3 awgneo on 02 Aug 2003 - 04:20
I just think they are just trying to see what actually drives businesses to Linux and Unix other than the price.
#4 kuroneko on 02 Aug 2003 - 06:44
At least Microsoft is taking a smart step towards beating Linux rather than shouting off their mouths.
(1 reply) #5 Chicane-UK on 02 Aug 2003 - 07:58
I just hope it doesn't lead to any more Microsoft sponsored 'independant' performance tests against Windows..

Nice to know MS is taking notice properly now though.
#5.1 JaggedFlame on 03 Aug 2003 - 05:22
QUOTE
I just hope it doesn't lead to any more Microsoft sponsored 'independant' performance tests against Windows..


Yeah, just like the IBM-sponsored independent tests for Linux.

Regardless of who sponsors them, they're not made up. You just have to know where to find information from the opposite side as well.
(2 replies) #6 slapnuts_ox on 02 Aug 2003 - 23:16
i know what MS can do to make windows better then linux......Open the source code and offer it for free
#6.1 kuroneko on 03 Aug 2003 - 05:40
How could a foolish move like that make Windows better?
#6.2 t0nyh0 on 03 Aug 2003 - 11:01
In terms of product quality I can see where open source may help windows (a community-driven OS with patches being released quickly), but there are some lackluster qualities of open source as well. Some these patches might not work for all different variations of windows that might pop up, and who knows if the patch has gone through extensive QA to prevent any more trouble.

I don't know, just my two cents.

Commenting has either been disabled on this article or you are not logged in. Click here to login or register, its free!

Note: Anonymous commenting is disabled in order to keep the quality of responses to a high standard.

Advertisement (Why?)