We look at a couple of items which show Microsoft making or achieving a connection with top FOSS projects.

Xen seems to be moving further and further in Microsoft's direction, unsurprisingly.

Microsoft is playing games with SIlverlight at what seems like two tiers, in order to spur adoption (along with platform+vendor lock-in).

The situation revolving around Eee PC (Xandros derivative) is revisited; Mono still raises concerns.

Venezuela became the latest in a string of countries to appeal the approval of Microsoft's Office Open XML file format as an international standard. The format was approved in an international vote after a fast-track process that several participating countries say was flawed.

More signs of weakness arrive from the news, elucidating loss of inertia for Microsoft Office and OOXML.

3 nations (at least) are already confirmed to have appealed against ISO's decision

Two days ago Microsoft issued a press release heralding its plans to take over universities with its Windows-oriented, Live-branded offerings, which typically lock down students and bind them to Microsoft while they still are young. For background about this, see this older post.