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Could Microsoft's CodePlex Actually Go Independent?

When Microsoft quietly announced that Stephen Walli, a veteran from the open source and open standards arenas, would take over as Technical Director of the company's CodePlex Foundation, there wasn't a lot of pomp and circumstance. Walli knows his way around open source, though, and some are wondering whether, under his stewardship, CodePlex could free itself from Microsoft and become independent.

Walli worked at Microsoft for many years, and has substantial experience in the world of commercial open source. Glyn Moody, on the topic of whether CodePlex can become independent, writes:

"The CodePlex Foundation is seeking now sponsors so that it's not just Microsoft's money that is paying the bills. More significant, I think, is the fact that it is happy to accept projects from any company – including competitors of Microsoft, Walli emphasises – running on any platform. Walli sees a real need for a place where companies can place their open source projects. Because of this emphasis, he places great store on getting the intellectual monopoly issues sorted out – aiming, he says, to follow the Eclipse model of assignment rather than the Apache one of licensing."

If Microsoft does allow CodePlex to become independent, it would usher in some of the best kinds of PR for the company, but PR only goes so far. It would be very unlike Microsoft to completely untether CodePlex right when it is starting to take on a critical mass of projects.

It's worth reading Moody's thoughts on CodePlex and his interaction with Walli, who sounds like he likes the idea of an independent CodePlex. Could Microsoft set CodePlex free? Stranger things have happened.

• Microsoft
• CodePlex
• Sam Ramji
• Stephen Walli

by Paula Hunter, Executive Director, CodePlex Foundation on Jun. 23, 2010

Sam, thanks for your continued interest in the CodePlex Foundation.

One point of clarification: The CodePlex Foundation (not Microsoft) announced the appointment of Stephen Walli as our Technical Director on May 14th, and as an independent organization, we were very pleased to do so.

The CodePlex Foundation is in fact an independent legal entity, governed by a board of directors. While Microsoft does have seats on the board, the day to day activities of the Foundation are overseen by Stephen and myself.

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by sandrabudds smith on Jun. 30, 2010

If you believe this is in error, that you bought a legal copy of Windows, then you would contact Microsoft so they could verify and update their authentication system.

http://ezinearticles.com/?Force-Factor-Reviews---Dont-Buy-Until-You-Read...

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by Matt Huston on Jul. 06, 2010

I really think Microsoft should try to get some extra PR by becoming independent. It would help them get things going even faster. Thanks Sam for providing good and update informations.

http://www.matthustonreview.com/

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by Thomas Trumen on Jul. 06, 2010

I wanted to find out more on how Moody thinks, So i thought i should find out what his thoughts were on CodePlex. It sounded like to me that he wanted the CodePlex to be independent but i dont think that would make much sense at all.

It's worth reading Moody's thoughts on CodePlex and his interaction with Walli, who sounds like he likes the idea of an independent CodePlex. Could Microsoft set CodePlex free? Stranger things have happened.

http://www.theofficialmagicofmakingupreview.com

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by wayne on Aug. 18, 2010

It would allow codeplex to build its own identity, but one day the pr will end and it will have to stand on its own. http://www.articlesbase.com/supplements-and-vitamins-articles/proactol-r...

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