What does Linus Torvalds really say about Microsoft's intrusion into the Linux kernel? Every time we read a story about Microsoft and Linux, we will see comments like: “Microsoft is taking control of Linux!” or “Microsoft is trying to destroy Linux” or “Microsoft is a wolf in sheep's clothing and will destroy Linux”.
Yes, Microsoft certainly wants to profit from Linux. And, yes, Microsoft wants to expand and control Linux.
But everyone is trying to do it, and no one can gain control of the open source operating system.
At the Linux Plumbers Conference , ZDNet's Steven J. Vaughan-Nichols spoke with Linus Torvalds and several of the top Linux kernel developers. They agreed that Microsoft wants to control Linux, but they're not particularly worried. That's because Linux, by its nature and open-source GPL2 licensing, can't be controlled by any third party.
Linus Torvalds said:
The whole Microsoft thing might sound funny sometimes, but it's not. Nowadays, it's much friendlier, I talk to Microsoft engineers at various conferences and I feel like yes, they've changed and the company's engineers are happy and it's like they're really working with Linux, so I completely rejected all scenarios with Microsoft.
But that doesn't mean Leopard (Microsoft) can't change its plans. Sure, we still hear the voices: "This is the old Microsoft, and it's just passing the time.".
Linus Torvalds added:
I don't think it's true, I mean, there will be tension, but that's true for every company that comes to Linux, they have their own goals and want to do things their own way, and they have reasons for that.
So, with Linux, “Microsoft uses it primarily for Azure and will do everything to make Linux work well for them”
In the most recent Linux kernel development report of 2017, the companies that seem to be helping out are: Intel, Red Hat, Linaro, IBM, Samsung, SUSE, and Google. Each of them has its own goals and they try to do it as best they can. Although some developers volunteer to develop Linux (8.2% in 2017), the kernel is largely the work of developers working at the above companies.
James Bottomley, IBM Research Distinguished Engineer and leading Linux kernel developer, believes that Microsoft is following the exact same process as all other corporate Linux supporters:
You can't work on the Linux kernel to have some kind of proprietary advantage that will help you gain ownership. Many companies come up with proprietary technologies but have to convince that they need something from Linux to help their business. Then their proprietary technologies have to go through an open development process and if someone else finds them useful, the companies have to collaborate on that feature.
This means that Microsoft is now "forced to collaborate with others.".
Bottomley concluded:
So it doesn't matter if Microsoft has an agenda that resembles the agenda of rival company Red Hat. Developers should collaborate on the Linux kernel with a transparent agenda.
In short, Microsoft may be big, but no one is bigger than the entire Linux community.
