Microsoft Opens Windows Source Code to Its MVPs

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Microsoft Corp. on Wednesday will announce that it is giving its Most Valued Professionals access to the more than 100 million aggregate lines of Windows source code, which includes all versions, service packs and betas of the Windows 2000, Windows XP and Windows Server 2003 products.

MVPs, who are chosen for having a "unique set of expertise and passion" around Microsoft technologies and who are recognized for their contributions to online and technical communities, already have access to the source code components for Windows CE .Net, ASP.Net, Visual Studio .Net, and Passport Manager.

Microsoft's Shared Source Initiative was first reported by eWEEK in March 2001, and the Redmond, Wash., software titan has been expanding it since then.

Jason Matusow, manager of Microsoft's Shared Source Program, confirmed to eWEEK on Tuesday that the MVPs are now an extension of the communities for Windows source code.

News source: Eweek.com

Note : my appologies for this taking so long! The winners from the previous 1/3 part should all have their prizes bar those from the the inq, and trillian - im still waiting for registration details. Hope you enjoy your prizes!

Further : Neoguy17, LegaC, phgreer, your email addresses have bounced. Please email me a new one, or i will re-drawn your prizes.

(1 reply) #1 Tom Servo on 22 Oct 2003 - 20:06

Time to become a MVP. Will be hard with my social skills on the Internet.

#1.1 CoolShady2002 on 22 Oct 2003 - 21:15

Well, you are definately "recognized for your contributions to online and technical communities"

#2 nowimnothing on 22 Oct 2003 - 20:07

i see in the near future a sudden jump in the number of people asking current MVPs how to become one...

#3 Skyfrog on 22 Oct 2003 - 21:38

I thought anyone could become an MVP by just hanging around in the Microsoft news groups, being nice and answering questions for a certain amount of time. Anyway, doesn't this seem kind of risky, as in the source code could suddenly appear all over the internet?

(3 replies) #4 brew crew on 22 Oct 2003 - 21:58

QUOTE

Anyway, doesn't this seem kind of risky, as in the source code could suddenly appear all over the internet?

#4.1 Jason on 22 Oct 2003 - 22:11

I very much doubt it MVP's by the nature of the title are loyal to Microsoft.

#4.2 nowimnothing on 22 Oct 2003 - 22:21

i agree that i don't think the MVPs would give it away freely to someone... though i would worry a little bit that it could be left one their computer and "found" by someone.. the more copies of stuff out there, the more likely it is it'll get leaked/found/stolen

#4.3 Tom Servo on 23 Oct 2003 - 10:45

I've seen MVPs that weren't so loyal. Well ex-MVPs. They will have access to the code during their MVP time, and when they go rogue, MS will be screwed.

(1 reply) #5 xStainDx on 22 Oct 2003 - 22:27

Microsoft Opens Windows Source Code to Its MVPs
Contributed by racknackered on 22 Oct 2003 - 15:57 | 7 comments

#5.1 creamhackered on 22 Oct 2003 - 22:48

Lol yea, Redmak changed my name heh.

(1 reply) #6 blackice912 on 22 Oct 2003 - 22:28

I know a MVP - time to go visit him.

#6.1 Jason on 22 Oct 2003 - 22:46

Doesn't mean he is getting it, SOME are getting it.

(3 replies) #7 slapnuts_ox on 22 Oct 2003 - 23:26

well if everyone is so interested in sourcecode just go download linux....you get all the source free

#7.1 kaptain chump on 22 Oct 2003 - 23:50

pfft who cares abut linux sourcede? pfft when you can have MS source

#7.2 werejag on 23 Oct 2003 - 00:15

see we are interested in windows source becuase it will help the wine project. nothing more

#7.3 slapnuts_ox on 23 Oct 2003 - 03:14

lol very true 8-)

#8 Xeon™ on 23 Oct 2003 - 01:51

Well, it would be nice if they would share with the general public

#9 Quick Reply on 23 Oct 2003 - 04:59

wow never thaught this would happen :|

#10 pctuk on 23 Oct 2003 - 07:45

This seems very risky - there must be a catch or some type of protection?!

(1 reply) #11 KCKitsune on 23 Oct 2003 - 10:57

The one question I have is this: if I were to somehow get this source code and compile it, would I get a Windows (Insert version here) OS, or is MSFT giving out just a few parts of the OS? I know the article says "... giving its Most Valued Professionals access to the more than 100 million aggregate lines of Windows source code... ", but until someone compiles the source into a fully working Windows OS I will have my doubts.

#11.1 SimplyPotatoes on 23 Oct 2003 - 12:38

lol ya they r going to let that happen so i guess keep in doubt!!!

#12 best_uv_d_best on 23 Oct 2003 - 12:53

oh boy oh boy... i can't wait for the leaked source and all the mods to start showing up

And all MS can say is "OOPS!!!"

it will be interesting to see what other people can do with it, putting legalities aside, tho.

(1 reply) #13 stancho on 23 Oct 2003 - 14:57

wasn't Bink a MVP?

#13.1 cal2002 on 23 Oct 2003 - 15:04

still is, but he will not be asking for the code, check out his site.

Last edited by 14562 on 23 Oct 2003 - 18:30

#14 ~Speed_Demon~ on 23 Oct 2003 - 20:13

It's pirating time.

#15 WangsDeli on 24 Oct 2003 - 00:27

Thank god I'm an MVP. Looks like I will be getting the source code to Windows in a couple of months :-).

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