Microsoft hasn’t always been a fan of open source, but its recent work has (sometimes inadvertently) done a lot to support the movement. Now, the company has just formed a new subsidiary that’s supposed to help increase engagement with the open source world. Called Microsoft Open Technologies, it’s formed from the current Interoperability Strategy team and led by executive Jean Paoli for a total of 50 to 75 people.
New Microsoft subsidiary formed to engage with open source community
Microsoft’s Jean Paoli is the head of a new group, Microsoft Open Technologies, that will work directly with the open source community to bridge Microsoft and open source technologies.
Microsoft’s Jean Paoli is the head of a new group, Microsoft Open Technologies, that will work directly with the open source community to bridge Microsoft and open source technologies.
is a senior tech and policy editor focused on online platforms and free expression. Adi has covered virtual and augmented reality, the history of computing, and more for The Verge since 2011.
Paoli says that other Microsoft groups will continue to work on open source solutions, but that Open Technologies will operate outside them to “provide a new way of engaging with open-source communities in a more clearly defined manner” and to bridge “Microsoft and non-Microsoft technologies... Over time the community will see greater interaction with the open standards and open source worlds.” Earlier this month, Microsoft was reported as on of the top 20 contributors to the Linux Foundation. Microsoft’s obviously still in competition with Linux and other open source platforms to some degree, but hopefully this is a sign that it’s committed to a stronger working relationship.
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