Four tricks to feign Openness (Wired.com)
No way do I believe that our best interests aren't at the heart of these companies!
For all of you who flamed me for calling Microsoft's "Open Value Subscription" hyperbole, maybe you'll listen to Wired Magazine.
"Openness" may be reaching hyperbolic proportions in Silicon Valley, but the idea is relatively good natured at heart. The practice is rooted in the notion that sharing various assets (i.e., underlying code, operating and communication standards) benefits both consumers and businesses. However, one could argue that the current fad of openness is little more than a Trojan horse.
1. Joining an 'Openness' Consortium
2. Creating an Arbitrarily Open Standard
3. Rebranding Existing Features
4. Buying Into (and Locking Up) an Existing Open Standard
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