Microsoft`s Ballmer Opens Up to Partners: I was in Houston as participant of Microsoft WPC 2008

Microsoft’s Steve Ballmer offers up a lively Q&A for partners on issues ranging from Yahoo to open-source software. Recently, the press has been questioning Microsoft's role in the open source field, but Steve Ballmer's keynote clarified some how Microsoft sees open source. Based on the article from eWeek.com, Steve Ballmer quoted as follows:

"So we're going to encourage open-source innovation on our platforms, and around our platforms. And, you know, we see interesting things where bits and pieces of technology, commercial companies are now starting to provide it in an open-source form or to digest in an open-source form. And we're open to that as well. But our fundamental business model will remain kind of commercial software, advertising, enterprise licensing, etc."

Unfortunately, there is still lots of misunderstanding in open source and what it can do for entrepreneurs and end user clients. What I will say is what my father taught me long time ago: there is nothing such as "free lunches".

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