Product Confidential: The reality of PM life! 027 | Open Source Product Management with Karl Abbott (Microsoft)
Jan 21, 2025
Join Karl Abbott, a seasoned product manager at Microsoft with a rich background in open source from Red Hat, as he shares his insights on navigating the world of open source software. Discover how Microsoft's relationship with open source has evolved, the challenges of collaboration in these communities, and the nuances of managing open source products. Karl also discusses strategies for monetizing open source without compromising community trust, along with practical advice for those looking to enter this exciting field!
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Open Source Enables Global Collaboration
- Open source software allows global collaboration unlike proprietary software restricted to company boundaries.
- It enables modification and redistribution under various licenses, fostering innovation and community development.
Karl's Open Source Journey
- Karl's passion for open source started in university when he sought free alternatives like Linux instead of paying for Windows.
- He began contributing to open source in Gentoo and built a career starting at Red Hat before joining Microsoft.
Microsoft's Open Source Pivot
- Microsoft once opposed open source, viewing it as a threat, but shifted under Satya Nadella to embrace Linux and open source.
- This pivot was crucial for Microsoft's growth and dominance, especially in cloud computing.