Linux Tavern

Microsoft’s offer of a jointly funded and controlled study with the Open Source Development Labs (OSDL) into the total cost of ownership (TCO) of Linux vs. Windows has a received a decidedly lukewarm response from the OSDL.

As reported here on Silicon.com, it appears unlikely that the OSDL will take Microsoft up on its offer. Stuart Cohen, head of the OSDL, has stated that he will meet with Microsoft but the subject of their discussions will stay private.

Exactly why Microsoft has made this offer is unknown (except maybe to Bill Gates), but most likely this is an attempt by Microsoft to gain the high ground in the ongoing war of Linux vs. Windows. They most likely knew that the OSDL would not accept their offer and this is a publicity stunt to make Open Source, Linux, and the OSDL look like they have something to hide.

The other possibility is that Microsoft actually believes that the TCO of Windows is lower than that of Linux. In that case, Microsoft would benefit from the results of the study, but I highly doubt this is the case. My personal experience is that even with removing licensing costs as a factor in TCO, Windows still cost more than Linux in the long term.

Technorati Tags: Microsoft, Windows, Linux, Open Source, OSDL

This entry was posted on Tuesday, August 30th, 2005 at 6:07 pm and is filed under Linux News. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.