For years developers and other industry bodies have complained about Microsoft’s secrecy regarding their code but to no avail.
Well recently, make that Tuesday to be exact, Microsoft posted 14,000 pages of preliminary code online.

According to Reuters the information contains “preliminary versions of technical documentation for underlying software code in its software programs”. These protocols are built into Microsoft Office 2007, Microsoft Office SharePoint Server 2007 and Microsoft Exchange Server 2007. Reuters intimates that increased pressure on Microsoft is the reason behind this move, their recent tussle with Europe’s regulator has cost them dearly. The hefty fine of $1,35 billion is not to be sneezed at and for our local regulator, Icasa, this is a good example of how things should be done. According to Microsoft this latest release brings the total number of underlying documentation available in the public domain to over 44,000 pages.

Tags: Microsoft, Software, software decimentation