If you are expecting an open source Windows operating system from Microsoft, by all means please do not hold your breath. But while the Redmond company is saying "no" to an open source variant of its proprietary platform, it is increasingly saying "yes" to connecting Windows with open source solutions, even if they are rival products. Starting with the Windows and Linux interoperability agreement inked with Novell at the end of 2006, Microsoft did indeed indicate a strong commitment to bridge its proprietary solutions with open source and free products.

One of the initiatives designed for the specific purpose of connecting Microsoft with open source is the company's Microsoft Open Source ISV Forum. Planned to coincide with the Open Source Business Conference, the Open Source ISV Forum is an event set up to enable the bundling of open source and Microsoft technologies. The company is already in its second year with the Microsoft Open Source ISV Forum, scheduled for March 24.

"We're holding it in conjunction with OSBC to ensure we're reaching out to the right folks at the right time, and participating in the larger dialogue that OSBC provides of putting open source to work. Sam Ramji will be kicking the day off with a session entitled, 'Open Source, Interoperability, and Microsoft: What it all means.' That'll be followed with sessions on venture capital funding, partnering, sales and marketing assistance- and a professional networking reception afterwards," said Jamie Cannon, Microsoft OSS/Community Manager.

Microsoft's new-found love for open source and free software comes from the pressure generated by customers running heterogeneous solutions. Aiming to help streamline the management process associated with running mixed source environments, the Redmond company started throwing its weight behind supporting interoperability with open source. Its Windows platform makes no exception to this rule, and in fact one of the sessions at the second annual Microsoft Open Source ISV Forum is titled "Windows Technology and Open Source."

"It shouldn't be a surprise to hear that Microsoft is building bridges with open source partners. Over the years, Microsoft has helped thousands of partners grow successful businesses by providing a strong platform - both technically and operationally - to build on. This model has been successful for one reason: choice. Choice in applications, choice in licensing and support models, and choices in how customers deploy the solutions they've chosen. It is simply good business sense to extend this tradition to open source communities as well - and we're committed to doing so," Cannon stated