Microsoft joins Linux Foundation

After collaborating with Canonical earlier this year to introduce open-source OS platform Ubuntu to Windows 10-based devices, the IT technology giant has extended its commitment towards open source development by officially joining hands with Linux Foundation yesterday.

The announcement took many top tech industry professionals by surprise. Though Microsoft had recently worked on joint-venture projects with open source developer companies, the relations were expected to be for short-term mutual benefits, and nothing more.

Microsoft had always been working for closed ecosystem for its proprietary Windows OS and former company CEO Steve Ballmer had at one time termed Linux as 'a cancer'.

However following the elevation of Satya Nadella to the top in early 2014, things had changed dramatically.  For instance, Microsoft's decision to make the Office applications compatible with rival Apple iOS (& MacOS for PCs) and Google Android platform, which would have earlier been unthinkable, had worked exceedingly well for company in terms of revenue.

Joining hands with Canonical, Microsoft brought  Ubuntu to Windows 10-based devices and the company also worked on side projects with Linux Foundation, the most prominent ones being 00 Node.js Foundation, OpenDaylight, Open Container Initiative, R Consortium and Open API Initiative.

Meanwhile, the Linux Foundation noted in an announcement:  ''Microsoft has steadily increased its engagement in open source projects and communities.'' 

''As a cloud platform company we aim to help developers achieve more using the platforms and languages they know,'' said , executive vice president, Microsoft Cloud and Enterprise Group in a press statement. ''The Linux Foundation is home not only to Linux, but many of the community's most innovative open source projects. We are excited to join The Linux Foundation and partner with the community to help developers capitalize on the shift to intelligent cloud and mobile experiences.''

''Microsoft has grown and matured in its use of and contributions to open source technology,'' said Jim Zemlin, executive director of The Linux Foundation in the press statement. ''The company has become an enthusiastic supporter of Linux and of open source and a very active member of many important projects. Membership is an important step for Microsoft, but also for the open source community at large, which stands to benefit from the company's expanding range of contributions.''