In a shock move today, it appears Microsoft are really trying to make a dent in the other markets out there. What with the imminent acquiring of Yahoo, Microsoft have announced that it is making available certain documentation & APIs for Windows & Office that were only previously given to it’s Gold Partners. On the face of the move, it appears that Microsoft are giving everyone in the open-source community a “break” by not suing the ass off them for using the APIs. However, I think on closer inspection it still has everything to do with the Yahoo takeover. They are looking to make a break into the search market in a BIG way, and want to be the next Google - with or without Yahoo. Of course that means it needs the support of the community. After all, Google are nice, Microsoft are bad. Everyone knows that, right?

Think about it - Microsoft aiming for the search market. Also, they want open-source developers to know that they won’t be punished for using their APIs, and in fact are given access to documentation previously secret. To top that, Microsoft are allowing students free access to their programming apps.. Looks like Microsoft are looking to gain support from all levels of the community. Maybe the idea of Linux & other OS’s eating lumps out of their market share has made them get off their seats and make sure Microsoft will continue to be the most dominant software manufacturer out there. [SHOW ME]