Microsoft Co-sponsoring Open Source 'Census' - Page 2

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"It may be a case where they're supporting OSS when it suits them [but] it does show they recognize that open source is not a 'fringe' element these days," Gardner said.

In addition, Gardner noted that Microsoft has repeatedly said, particularly during its arguments regarding antitrust oversight, that OSS is a bigger threat to the company's long term viability than even Google. So it's hard to take Microsoft's new-found affinity for open source without a grain of salt.

However, lingering questions and outright criticism are not limited to Microsoft.

Other observers note how few users have participated in the census to date – despite finding 230,000 OSS installations, they came from scanning just 1,300 computers -- and criticize its value due to the size of the sample and the volunteer nature of the census.

Microsoft has come a little slower to the party than founding sponsors like IDC; CollabNet; Holme, Roberts & Owen LLP; Navica; Olliance Group; Open Solutions Alliance; Open Source Business Foundation; and Unisys. Yet, it's not the only new sponsor announcing support for the OSC.

In fact, besides the software giant, other new sponsors include Oregon State University's Open Source Lab, as well as ActiveState, EnterpriseDB, and OSAlt.com.

However, many observers as well as stakeholders such as OSS developers may still be caught in a quandary over whether they should trust Microsoft.

"Somebody needs to go to Microsoft and ask What is your open source software strategy? It's time for them to really make it clear what they're doing," Gardner said.