What is so interesting about .Net is that it is essentially an open standard (some parts still in review by standards bodies)
Not only is Microsoft filing patents on .NET, but they consider the wire-level protocol part of their licensable technology. Miguel de Icaza from the mono project disagrees with, or misunderstood, some of what I said, but even he says that "[Microsoft licensed material] might be needed for interop on Windows." Anne Thomas Manes, who has become a mono advocate also warns that "these patents assure Microsoft's control of the complete .NET platform. So even though C#/CLI is open and non-proprietary, the .NET platform isn't."
So you have three options:
1. Accept Microsoft IP lock-in, and develop for .NET. 2. Develop using the Java platform, and work with Sun on increasing openness.
We should do this anyway.
3. Re-do everything on the ECMA platform, abandon all
pretense of .NET, and hope that you do not still
run afoul of IP entanglements.
This might be the best option for C#, esp. since many of the M$ developed and IP owned pieces are broken anyway. Essentially, for Avalon Framework will use free pieces. Question: is XML parsing part of the protected IP? If so we confirm what we always knew: M$ sucks big time.
When I wrote that "history bears witness to the fact that EVERY time Microsoft has opened something up, it has been nothing more than the specialized dorsal fin of an anglerfish", I was quite serious. Microsoft is very good at bait and catch. As even the computer, Joshua, in War Games figured out, the only way to win is not to play the game. Am I being paranoid? Hey, I think that they have fairly earned the reputation. Microsoft has played the game often enough with customers, partners and courts. They may be entitled to play fisherman, but I am not a trout.
Now if you WANT to develop Microsoft-specific code, go right ahead. I don't have any problem with someone who wants to do so. Avalon.NET would be valuable for developing applications on the .NET platform. I am in no way saying that it should not be done. I'm simply responding to the belief that .NET is any sort of open platform.
Not really. It is more for C#.
--
"They that give up essential liberty to obtain a little temporary safety
deserve neither liberty nor safety."
- Benjamin Franklin
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