Microsoft software wordt wel naar linux geport

Er komen wel Microsoft applicaties naar het Linux platform, in een press release laat Mainsoft namelijk weten dat ze bezig zijn met het porten van verschillende internet applicaties (o.a Internet Explorer) naar het Linux platform. Dit gebeurt alles met de toestemming van Microsoft, ze hebben namelijk een contract en de volledige windows source code. Er wordt echter met geen woord gerept over office, wat dus de uitspraak van Microsoft op BetaNews onderbouwt:

SAN JOSE, Calif. – August 14, 2000 – Mainsoft Corporation, the leader in common code-base cross-platform solutions for the enterprise, today announced that Microsoft Corp (NYSE: MSFT) has signed an updated contract with Mainsoft securing Mainsoft’s Professional Services and the right to use MainWinÒ to port Internet Explorer technologies and potentially other technologies to UNIX platforms. Mainsoft’s flagship technology, MainWin, enables software companies to develop and run Windows applications in the UNIX environment. This announcement underscores Mainsoft’s commitment to providing Internet-based companies with seamless cross-platform development solutions, along with migration and interoperability applications for UNIX and other operating systems. The new agreement includes the ability to port the Internet Explorer technologies and also accommodates other technologies and professional services.

Mainsoft’s Windows platform for UNIX is the most seamless solution to port Internet technologies across any platform.” said Yaacov Cohen, president of Mainsoft. “We realize the need for Internet applications to be cross-platform capable and are pleased to provide our solution to the enterprise community. Our continued success working with Microsoft reinforces the unique position of the MainWin solution as a singularly valuable cross-platform Web infrastructure application for companies doing business on the Internet.”

Mainsoft has worked closely with Microsoft in the past on Internet Explorer for UNIX to meet the needs of Internet-based businesses operating Windows technology. Microsoft has been distributing Internet Explorer for Solaris and HP/UX since 1997 by utilizing Mainsoft’s MainWin product to port Internet Explorer technologies to UNIX. In this new contract, Microsoft has engaged Mainsoft’s Professional Services organization to assist in maintaining and updating Internet Explorer for UNIX. This support service allows Microsoft to most effectively benefit from Mainsoft’s extensive cross-platform application development expertise with proven methodologies, best practice tools and professional skills honed during hundreds of successful porting projects.

Thanx thunderbird, valentijn, Maverick en deep_blue!