windows: exposed

from slashdot:

shystershep writes "It's official. Microsoft admits that 'portions of the Microsoft Windows 2000 and Windows NT 4.0 source code were illegally made available on the Internet.' No more details, although it seems clear that it is only a portion of the code. Microsoft is, naturally, downplaying its impact, while everyone else is busy speculating about how serious this could get." A lot of you apparently haven't read yesterday's story. An investigation of the code is already underway.

i'm not going to lecture here. but here's the gist of the possible reprocussions: a) virus levels and destructive payloads could increase, b) the end of micros~1's "security through obsurity" campaign ("our stuff is more secure 'cause no one can see the code" etc.) c) micros~1 could go after various Free software projects like samba and kde claiming that members of the development process for those projects have been influcenced by seeing their copyrighted code and therefore, they own the rights to it.

it'll be an interesting next few months let me tell you. bitorrents are already circulating.