Competitors in the open-source community responded with skepticism to Microsoft's Feb. 21 announcement that it is committing itself to greater openness and interoperability for its software products. Others tentatively welcomed the move.

Microsoft said it would adhere to a set of new interoperability principles designed to increase the openness of its high-volume products and drive greater interoperability.

Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer went so far as to say Microsoft's long-term success depended on its ability to deliver a software and services platform that was open and flexible and provided customers and developers with choice.

Linux vendor Red Hat did not mince words in its reaction to the news, with General Counsel Michael Cunningham saying it was not surprising to hear Microsoft finally state that interoperability across systems was an important requirement and that it was changing its approach on that front.

For the rest of this story, please see Rivals Skeptical of Microsoft`s Move to Greater `Openness`