Pete,Feb 13 2004, 11:34 AM Wrote:. . . how going public with the Windows code is going to hurt Windows while a public code base helps Linux?The difference is that Microsoft has always relied on obscurity to keep its products secure, while Linux has had people poring over its source code from the get-go. I think each approach has its advantages and disadvantages, but it's clear that when you've got so much riding on people not knowing about your product's bugs and vulnerabilities in the first place, inadvertantly going open source is a very, very bad thing.
That said, keep in mind that only 15% of the source code was stolen, so don't start stocking that fallout shelter just yet. :P
Edit: Linux fans may want to check out Microsoft's Services for Linux 3.5, which is now free. Apparently even teenage girls love SFU! :D