Microsoft Concedes They've Been Cheeting All Along

Joe Wilcox hits it hard -- all good wood -- in his spot on assessment of the shadow interoperability measures just announced which were supposed to rock our world ...

Ozzie said that the information disclosure demonstrates "our commitment to an open and level playing field." I find the statement hugely perplexing. How is that commitment defined? Microsoft will disclose Office and Windows information that is available to the company's other product groups. So, interoperability—a "level playing field"—means that third-party developers will get the same information access that Microsoft developers already have.

What the hell? Ozzie's statement means one of two things, and neither reflects well on Microsoft's interoperability commitment. Either the information was already available or it wasn't. If it already was available, then there is nothing new here and Microsoft is blowing PR smoke. If the information wasn't already available, then Microsoft is conceding that US and European trustbusters were right all along—that the playing field wasn't level, that Microsoft developers had access to information not available to third parties.

Microsoft: still a bunch of gangsters.

Did somebody grant Microsoft immunity for releasing these APIs? Do I smell the Mother of all Class-Action suits?

Comments

[Tim LePes]

Okay I hate to be the one to do this, but you did mean "Cheating", not "Cheeting", no? :)

Otherwise, thanks for all the great insights. It has been your site that finally helped me understand not only what "Silverlight" *is* but also what the implications are. Yeah, I know this isn't a Silverlight article. I'm just saying thanks overall. Lots of good stuff on your site for contemplation.

Peace,
Tim

[Sam Hiser]

Than you, Tim, for your kind thoughts.

Re 'Cheet' -- I prefer that spelling for a title; it's kind of onomatopoetic.

[Jack21]

great use of "onomatopoetic"....great article as well on evil MS