The key message is that this is part of the operating system for us and a key part of what we are providing. This is a powerful tool for those looking to move their applications to a new platform,

The characteristic that is new is the commercial open source element.

Microsoft is not endorsing Java or J2EE [Java 2 Enterprise Edition] with this agreement. We will still compete heavily with .Net against Java, ... But finding that shared customer base led us, like it should, to say, 'Customers are sure finding a lot of value in this. Can we do better?'

We have been successful in identifying popular open-source software applications that our customers are interested in using on the Microsoft Windows Server platform and working with those companies or projects to ensure that solution is well integrated.

The real magic is the community process it has nothing to do with the software.

Yes, Daniel Robbins has decided to leave Microsoft to pursue his passion for software development with an independent software vendor where he will be focused on building in .Net on Windows. This move also takes Daniel and his family back to their hometown community of Albuquerque?We thank Daniel for his contribution to Microsoft and wish him the best of luck on his new job.