thing. The benevolent-dictator model has worked well in comparatively small open-source projects, such as the Perl language. Microsoft will have to behave in such a way that it develops trust among programmers. The company has the "dictator" part down; it needs help on the "benevolent" aspect.
In the end, an open-source Windows may be the most powerful weapon Microsoft could wield to extend its industry dominance. Maybe Redmond shouldn't wait for Judge Jackson to rule before it makes its move.
Jimmy Guterman is president of the Vineyard Group, an editorial consultancy. His dual-boot system runs Windows and Linux equally slowly.
