Utilitarianism Applied to E-Property: The Openness of Windows Source Code

The Openness of Windows Source Code

The most valuable item of e-property that Microsoft possesses is the code to its operating systems. Given the code, hackers and antivirus manufacturers alike could do a whole lot more in finding and either dealing with, or taking advantage of, exploits in the code. Operating systems like Linux have always had open sourced code with which developers and software engineers could express their creativity while producing a more functional product. Microsoft, on the other hand, has always kept its source code secret, and many people feel that Microsoft would benefit society better if it were to release its code.

Here with us to discuss the topic is John Lettice, a technology writer for The Register. John offers his viewpoint on the topic: “It'd be nice if escaping source code prompted Microsoft to take a more rational view of the whole issue, stop pretending it's secret and adopted the rival view that openness helps security, but we fear that'll take a few more leaks” (“MS Windows Source Code Escapes Onto Internet”). What John is saying is that if Windows were to release its source code, it would benefit society by making it safer. This is a weak argument, however, because the potential for corruption is far greater than the potential for security developments in this case.

Nick Dyer-Witheford, an expert on Internet relations, provides some complementary insight on this matter about Microsoft in his essay, “E-Capital and the Many Headed Hydra”: “The outcome of this interaction between commercialization and free software is, however, uncertain. One obvious prospect is the corruption of the open source movement” (146). What Dyer-Witheford is saying is that if Windows were to open up its code, then so many vulnerabilities to outside forces, including malicious script and virus writers, would emerge. The potential risk to the hundreds of millions of Windows users worldwide is seemingly immeasurable. This would result in the crash and burn of the software, causing much more unhappiness than the emotional gain a few modders and hackers would receive. Hands down, Dyer-Witheford deserves the win in this argument. Not only does Microsoft’s secrecy around its most valuable piece of e-property provide the most utility for people whether they realize it or not, the amount of damage that the release of this information would do to the computing world simply cannot be measured. Lettice’s argument that open-sourcing Windows code would help society, not hurt it, is completely debased as a result.

Other posts on Utilitarianism and online activites:
Utilitarianism Applied to E-Property
Utilitarianism Applied to E-Property: Should Spamming be Allowed?
Utilitarianism Applied to E-Property: Introduction
Utilitarianism Applied to E-Property: The Ethical Implications of File Sharing
Utilitarianism Applied to E-Property: The Openness of Windows Source Code
Utilitarianism Applied to E-Property: Reporting Assault and Theft of E-Property in Government Databases

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