Big players don’t play fast. For Microsoft is the question about open-source is in my opinion: “To Be or Not to Be.”
If Microsoft doesn’t change, they wont survive competition from open-Source. I think this is the first step but they need also to change they their DNA and brand. If Microsoft doesn’t change, they wont survive competition from open-Source. I think this is the first step but they need also to change they their DNA and brand. Here are some evolution steps they been taken.
2001

Linux is a cancer. Steve Ballmer,Microsoft, CEO

2002

Did Microsoft suddenly find open-source religion? Hardly. It was dragged there kicking and screaming by its customers, who are increasingly drawn to open-source software like Linux, whose inner workings of code can be seen by anyone and modified. News.com

Their first step into Open-Source was more ore less a way to win time (war tactic). Consumers did not believe in a code that not was built in a way that had nothing to do with the DNA culture in the open-source community.
I personally think something is wrong in a lot of high-tech corporation (few tech people understand that Internet is not about computers). At least is Microsoft trying out their first step of open-source.
2008

Microsoft Sings a New Tune—Wants to Play Nice With Open-Source… finally decided to stop trying to fight open-source software. Techcrunch.com

My question is will Microsoft survive Microsoft? In martial art you have to win over your self-first, and I think that is the big fight for Microsoft. To fight with consumer power and anti-trust regulators will cost them too much.