Windows Leak An Experiment in Open Source?

Driver 7 · Feb 19, 2004, 02:04 PM

'Some programmers say many in their community are wary of even looking at last weeks leaked code in order to avoid inflaming intellectual property issues over software copyrights. But for those who do, including plenty of people in peer-to-peer networks and in IRC Chat rooms worldwide, the 660 MB file containing the code is essentially open source material.

Experts say the leak of Microsoft's proprietary code to the public might just result in code benefits to the Windows platform overall.

One technology enthusiast at Web site kuro5shin noted many of the hacks (additions) to the code base included some colorful comments and creative use of adjectives in noting programming changes.

In this case, the reviewer concluded the code was generally "excellent." But he also noted the many additions to the Windows code to be almost universally compatible with previous Windows versions. And third-party software has "clearly come at a cost, both in developer-sweat and the elegance (and hence stability and maintainability) of the code."

"Programmers may learn bits and pieces about how Microsoft's kernel, input/output optimization, multi-threading, spooling and hardware abstraction layer actually work and what's behind the Windows, but I'm not sure it will become public or get used in any other projects," said Adnan Masood, a U.K.- based software engineer.

"Microsoft's only real concern is that someone may be able to use their code in a commercial product," he told internetnews.com. "This really isn't too much of a concern either, as there are open source products in the Linux/Unix world that can already mimic much of what Microsoft has to offer." agreed Chris Spann, a systems architect.

We're sort of looking back in time at what Microsoft was doing in the year 2000 or 1999," he said. "We still don't really know, looking at that code, what today's code looks like.'

Source: Internet.com

Zardon · Feb 19, 2004, 02:09 PM

interesting theory.

The_Neon_Cowboy · Feb 19, 2004, 02:50 PM

I know what thier doing... they eather leacked to make 2000 server users wanna upgrade, your opensouce theroy, but, mabe thier hopeing it'll make it's way into linux so ms can shut them down...

anyways the leak was intentional

ChrisW · Feb 19, 2004, 06:52 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by The_Neon_Cowboy
but, mabe thier hopeing it'll make it's way into linux so ms can shut them down...

That would be one brilliant plan on their behalf if that is what they had planned. It would be next to impossible for none of the code to make it's way into Linux just from it's open source nature and anonymous code donations. It seems like the perfect plan to shut down Linux.

ToshiroOC · Feb 20, 2004, 04:12 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by ChrisW
That would be one brilliant plan on their behalf if that is what they had planned. It would be next to impossible for none of the code to make it's way into Linux just from it's open source nature and anonymous code donations. It seems like the perfect plan to shut down Linux.

The linux guys are far too careful to get in a trap like that, I would hope, but its an interesting theory.

ChrisW · Feb 20, 2004, 09:11 AM

What if someone from Microsoft made an anonymous code donation? They could submit a small piece of the Windows code and the Linux team could not do a single thing about it. They would have to have knowledge of the illegal source code leak to be able to recognise it. Having this knowledge would in itself get them sued. This would give Microsoft an excuse to sue Linux out of existence.

Feb 19, 2004, 02:04 PM	#1
Driver 7 Discombobulated NVidiot Join Date: May 2003 Location: Vancouver, BC - CANADA Posts: 1,015 Rep Power: 0	Windows Leak An Experiment in Open Source? 'Some programmers say many in their community are wary of even looking at last weeks leaked code in order to avoid inflaming intellectual property issues over software copyrights. But for those who do, including plenty of people in peer-to-peer networks and in IRC Chat rooms worldwide, the 660 MB file containing the code is essentially open source material. Experts say the leak of Microsoft's proprietary code to the public might just result in code benefits to the Windows platform overall. One technology enthusiast at Web site kuro5shin noted many of the hacks (additions) to the code base included some colorful comments and creative use of adjectives in noting programming changes. In this case, the reviewer concluded the code was generally "excellent." But he also noted the many additions to the Windows code to be almost universally compatible with previous Windows versions. And third-party software has "clearly come at a cost, both in developer-sweat and the elegance (and hence stability and maintainability) of the code." "Programmers may learn bits and pieces about how Microsoft's kernel, input/output optimization, multi-threading, spooling and hardware abstraction layer actually work and what's behind the Windows, but I'm not sure it will become public or get used in any other projects," said Adnan Masood, a U.K.- based software engineer. "Microsoft's only real concern is that someone may be able to use their code in a commercial product," he told internetnews.com. "This really isn't too much of a concern either, as there are open source products in the Linux/Unix world that can already mimic much of what Microsoft has to offer." agreed Chris Spann, a systems architect. We're sort of looking back in time at what Microsoft was doing in the year 2000 or 1999," he said. "We still don't really know, looking at that code, what today's code looks like.' Source: Internet.com

Feb 19, 2004, 02:50 PM	#3
The_Neon_Cowboy HardwareHeaven Extreme Member Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: U.S.A. Posts: 16,009 Rep Power: 92 System Specs	I know what thier doing... they eather leacked to make 2000 server users wanna upgrade, your opensouce theroy, but, mabe thier hopeing it'll make it's way into linux so ms can shut them down... anyways the leak was intentional __________________

Feb 19, 2004, 02:09 PM	#2
Zardon DriverHeaven Founder Join Date: May 2002 Posts: 32,480 Rep Power: 179	interesting theory.

Feb 20, 2004, 09:11 AM	#6
ChrisW DriverHeaven Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2003 Posts: 332 Rep Power: 0	What if someone from Microsoft made an anonymous code donation? They could submit a small piece of the Windows code and the Linux team could not do a single thing about it. They would have to have knowledge of the illegal source code leak to be able to recognise it. Having this knowledge would in itself get them sued. This would give Microsoft an excuse to sue Linux out of existence.