Microsoft's GitHub acquisition thoughts...
This is a weird one. Many saw it coming. But, it doesn't mean it makes total sense. And it also doesn't mean it is total madness.
For instance; I'm a bit surprised because Microsoft offers a competing product in the form of Visual Studio Online. And on another front upon which it makes sense, is that Microsoft can probably run it more profitably thanks to Azure. I imagine storage and bandwidth cost more for GitHub than they do for Microsoft.
I'm not sure it will really win them any mind share with developers. Realistically speaking, Microsoft has given developers every reason to choose them except the popularity of platform. This acquisition doesn't make Windows any more valuable. Microsoft offers one of the best IDEs and it is free of charge for most individuals. They also offers one of the best free IDEs. They have been one of the largest pillars of the open source community for years. They even offer VSO free on conditions similar to Visual Studio Community edition.
Many seem worried about whether not Microsoft will bungle this one up or do something about projects which conflict.
Frankly, I see no reason for Microsoft to do either.
As I said above, Microsoft depends very much on Git. I think they legitimately has a vested interest in GitHub. They use Git already internally, and they are getting ever deeper in bed with the Linux community which seems to lean on GitHub a lot.
Another reason to feel good about it is... $7.5B. That is a lot of money for Microsoft right now.
As for trying to shut down certain repos? Nonsense. One of the ones mentioned, an XBox emulator, is available publicly. Microsoft wouldn't need to buy GitHub to shut these down. If they are illegal and MS cares enough it won't matter who own GitHub. I'm sure there are many equally questionable repos being stored for free on VSO.
Short story, I don't really see Microsoft messing this one up all that much. It isn't like Nokia where they're buying they're buying their way into a new industry. They already have a similar product. This product is more popular, so it would be suicide to kill it. And they paid an ass load of money for it. I suspect they have a plan for it.
For instance; I'm a bit surprised because Microsoft offers a competing product in the form of Visual Studio Online. And on another front upon which it makes sense, is that Microsoft can probably run it more profitably thanks to Azure. I imagine storage and bandwidth cost more for GitHub than they do for Microsoft.
I'm not sure it will really win them any mind share with developers. Realistically speaking, Microsoft has given developers every reason to choose them except the popularity of platform. This acquisition doesn't make Windows any more valuable. Microsoft offers one of the best IDEs and it is free of charge for most individuals. They also offers one of the best free IDEs. They have been one of the largest pillars of the open source community for years. They even offer VSO free on conditions similar to Visual Studio Community edition.
Many seem worried about whether not Microsoft will bungle this one up or do something about projects which conflict.
Frankly, I see no reason for Microsoft to do either.
As I said above, Microsoft depends very much on Git. I think they legitimately has a vested interest in GitHub. They use Git already internally, and they are getting ever deeper in bed with the Linux community which seems to lean on GitHub a lot.
Another reason to feel good about it is... $7.5B. That is a lot of money for Microsoft right now.
As for trying to shut down certain repos? Nonsense. One of the ones mentioned, an XBox emulator, is available publicly. Microsoft wouldn't need to buy GitHub to shut these down. If they are illegal and MS cares enough it won't matter who own GitHub. I'm sure there are many equally questionable repos being stored for free on VSO.
Short story, I don't really see Microsoft messing this one up all that much. It isn't like Nokia where they're buying they're buying their way into a new industry. They already have a similar product. This product is more popular, so it would be suicide to kill it. And they paid an ass load of money for it. I suspect they have a plan for it.
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