What MS is doing with the .Net, is to insure its self against future loss
of
market share in desktop environment. The entire core of dotnet strategy is to move things away from the desktop / client and move the processing to
the
server.
These days are too far. The people at Sun thought about the Network Computer and burnt their hands.
Sometimes I use connection speeds where even the K is absent ;).
They expect all software in future to run on a browser. These
software will run so long as the server hosting it is microsoft........The desktop client will no longer matter. They are not doing this for the benefit of Linux / Unix /. Mac, but as a hedge for their own future.
The term .NET is confusing, you are refering to the passport and other services. Speaking technically correctly .NET is an initiative... that promises a lot of things. The Linux/Windows interoperability that I am talking of here is one of them.
The move to port dotnet to linux platform is another version of the same
Like I said .NET is NOT a product that you install... its an initiative... comprising of a multitude of products and services. Porting... is some other question.
hedging......in case linux becomes more popular on the server front, software designed on dotnet platform will run even if the server is
running
linux, and the desktops are windows. Believe me, they will finalise and complete the codes to production level only if linux becomes too popular
at server level.......Otherwise, it will remain "experimental"
Which OS do you think has the upperhand in server markets now? :D
You may want to know more about how GNU is replying and strengthening its ante at http://dotgnu.org
Warm regards,
Amol Hatwar.