Perhaps you've been intrigued enough to peruse the reference books or even take the platforms out for a test drive. There are some technical similarities, many more differences and a hope in the industry for bridges across the divide that will allow compatibility and interoperability. But it is seen as so much more. It all goes back to the fight over Java, and it's continuing. Certainly, each side has strong partners.
Some shrewd partners support both sides.
Many industry veterans, fearing they have fallen into some bizarre alternate universe, are greeting this proclamation cautiously, which Microsoft can't help but address. NET product manager, Ari Bixhorn. This is a big change for us. But standards are core to the .NET strategy. Microsoft's persistence in proclaiming that it's sincere has indeed won praise.