Interesting article by David Stutz, formerly of Microsoft, offering advice to Microsoft and its future direction. Basically, it argues that MSFT should embrace the Open Source paridigm or wither on the vine. He makes reference to the slowness of MSFT's adoption of the Internet. I'll never forget the quote that I was told by one of the MSFT's web server team that Billg said "If there was a red button to turn off the Internet, I would push it." Interestingly, the suggestions that Stutz makes about integrating Open Source into its products is exactly what Apple is doing (e.g. Safari). I am surprised that he does not mention this?

This article also parallels a recent one by Cringely that proffers the idea that Windows is just a another windowing system and that MSFT might as well just bolt it on top of Linux. Again, this is essentially what Apple has done with Aqua and BSD.

If I had to make a prediction, I would say this has at least a 50% chance of happening at some point.