Microsoft and Linspire team up to enhance interoperability

gallery

Microsoft and Linspire this week announced that they have signed a collaborative agreement that will see them working together to provide intellectual property (IP) assurance and aid interoperability between Windows and its open source equivalent.

The aim of the partnership is to promote increased customer choice and further bridge the current divide between the two operating systems, according to the two companies.

"Just as Steve Jobs announced in 1997 that 'the era of setting this up as a competition between Apple and Microsoft is over,' I too believe it's time for Linux to do the same," Kevin Carmony, Linspire's chief executive, said in an open on the company's website letter aimed at answering any questions from die-hard Linux fans who are likely to view this partnership with Microsoft with a great deal of scepticism.

"Rather than isolating Linux, I believe we need to understand, as Apple did in 1997, that Linux exists in an ecosystem and must work with and interoperate within that ecosystem. As unpopular as it may appear to some, Linspire is willing to take a lead in this effort. Some people booed Steve Jobs back in 1997, but if you trace the history of his announcement, I think it was an incredibly smart move for both Microsoft and Apple, issuing in a new era for both. I believe we can learn a lot from history."

By working together with other key companies in addition to Microsoft, such as Novell, Linspire plans to beef up office document compatibility by creating and distributing open source licensed translators to enable more effective document sharing between OpenOffice and Microsoft Office.

In addition, by licensing Microsoft's RT Audio Codec, Linspire will be able to ensure voice-enabled interoperability between its Pidgin IM client and the software giant's equivalents for businesses and consumers, Microsoft Officer Communicator and Windows Live Messenger.

The deal will also benefit users with an appetite for sharing digital media files as future releases of Linspire will support the latest Windows Media 10 audio and video codecs. The Live Search service offering, part of Windows Live, will also become Linspire 5.0's default web page for users.

Furthermore, Linspire will also give customers using its desktop the opportunity to obtain a patent covenant from Microsoft providing the necessary assurances that the technologies they are using have the rights to the relevant Microsoft patents used.

"Linspire has always been about choice, and this announcement continues our tradition of offering options for improved interoperability, enhanced functionality and confidence," added Carmony.

"Over the years, in an effort to expand choice, we have entered into dozens of agreements with commercial software vendors. It certainly made sense to collaborate with Microsoft, one of the most important partners in the PC ecosystem."

Microsoft also echoed its commitment to promoting increased choice. "Delivering interoperable solutions for our customers is an important priority," said Bill Hilf, general manager of Microsoft's platform strategy.

"Through our ongoing collaborative relationships with commercial open source companies, we are demonstrating our commitment to delivering the value and increased interoperability customers want. Covering features from document formats to instant messaging and digital media, our announcement today with Linspire is an important step for our mutual customers."

Email to a friend

Print this page