Microsoft Goes Open Source!

Well, not exactly.  But everyone who remembers how heartily Microsoft criticized Open Source ("resulting in the development of multiple incompatible versions of programs, weakened interoperability, product instability, and hindering businesses' ability to strategically plan for the future","has inherent security risks", "fundamentally undermines the independent commercial software sector" etc.) can now revel in the recent announcement by Russ Nelson at the Open Source Initiative that Microsoft has really gotten on the Open Source bandwagon by getting their own Open Source licenses approved! 

Yet another convert to the cause -- and an important one.  (In a way, it's actually old news).

Meanwhile, back at the ranch (the Slashdot ranch that is), the restless natives complain that Microsoft, as the biggest hater of Open Source in the history of the concept, should not be allowed to participate in, "embrace and extinguish", co-opt, or otherwise join the Open Source movement. "ItsaTrap", proclaims one of the more mentionable tags labeling the post.

Look on the bright side folks.  It's not every day you hear Bill Gates say "I was wrong."