Microsoft gives away software

COMPUTER COLOSSUS Microsoft has decided to give away its virtualisation software for free.

According to Reuters, the virtualisation software, which enables the easier use of several operating systems on one machine or server, is being touted as the next big thing in the IT industry.

Although the technology has been around for a while, it is fast becoming more important as servers and PCs try to run different operating systems at once.

Vole said that it will allow anyone to use its specifications for "virtual" drives and never to sue for infringement of its intellectual property.

Microsoft has started to get a little friendlier with some of its rivals and permit them access to its standards lately. Some of this is a sop to the EU anti-trust regulators to prove that it is not an evil monopolist any more.

However, there are some twists to this Volish tale. Earlier this week it was revealed that Microsoft is cracking down on virtual machines in its Vista licence. It looks like the lower priced versions of Vista will not allow any virtualisation at all. The Vole giveth, the Vole taketh away. µ

More here. µ