Is MS scared?
If so, what of?
As far as I can tell, Linux* is still no threat, nor is Apple. Or is Linux a major part of the cloud-world (something I have nothing to do with) and giving MS cause for concern? Or have they some crystal ball and can see a paradigm shift coming (Linux** on mobiles, set-top boxes etc).
Their talk of "community" amuses me. All the "communities" I am involved with have rather open and frank debates, usually with the oh-so-precious code clearly visible, showing its warts to one and all. Anyone is free to update, add-to or even fork the project. No way in hell MS will truly engage with any community in what one could call and "open" manner.
MS do make some good GUI tools. Previous versions of VisualStudio have had quite a few things going for them. If MS want to help a community, how's about they help the already flourishing Eclipse community? Hmm, wossat? Not a chance in hell? Yeah, thought as much, just more empty words and double-talk from the Beast of Redmond.
If they actually did what they said they wanted to do, then they might just get a positive response. Instead I think we'll just see more words and then another lawsuit or something.
*Sub 1% penetration - but it does depend a lot on how you slice 'n dice the figures.
**I say "Linux", but it really could be any non-MS OS. e.g. BSD, Haiku...