Sourceforge.net passed a significant milestone on Wednesday by registering its hundred-thousandth project.
The Web site, which catalogues open source applications, claimed that the release of source code by large organisations has been an important factor in its success.
"The momentum behind SourceForge.net's continued rapid growth has been fueled by the visibility of new projects posted by leading organisations such as NASA, Microsoft, Google, IBM and Salesforce.com," said the Open Source Technology Group, the company behind Sourceforge.net, in a statement.
Microsoft has contributed several projects to the site, including FlexWiki, a Web-based collaboration tool; the Windows Template Library, a series of templates designed to simplify the writing of Windows programs; and Windows Installer XML, a set of tools used to build installation packages for Windows products. These tools have attracted combined downloads of more than 21,000 in the past 60 days, according to OSTG.
Although Microsoft has given these tools to the open source community and is said to be considering releasing more code, it has been more cautious about giving access to its core business software. The company has shared-source programs that allow universities and government agencies to view the code of some of its products, including certain versions of its Windows operating system, on condition that the institutions sign an agreement not to release the code.
Talkback
Poor ZD-Net. I know it's rough having to begin the process of actually having to perform analysis and coverage rather than simply regurgitating press releases from Microsoft.
The fact is that Source-Forge had thousands of projects hosted long before Microsoft ever heard the words “Source Forge”.
Attempting to spin this as a Microsoft success is pretty pitiful and doesn't reflect well on the sponsoring organization that partakes in this tripe.
I suppose this is the trial balloon for Microsoft attempting to say that “Open Source is successful because of our participation.”
Nice try... No Float however.
Cheers,
Nick
3 out of 100000.. ? and they FUELED the growth..? i guess MS will next be credited for inventing the light bulb, the telephone and the wheel...!!!
why does not ZDNET write about the other 99,997 other contributors the REALLY fueled the growth...!!!
If you have a problem with the Open Source Technology Group citing Microsoft as one of many companies behind Sourceforge's growth then I suggest you take it up with them. We're simply reporting their views.
Thanks for the feedback, though.
Graeme
then i would suggest that ZDnet look into changing the way they title their articles.. in source forges release.. while they did mention microsoft, they by no means gave them any special mention.. yet your title aswell as your story makes it sound like they specifically credited MS ...........!!!