---
title: "Michael Tiemann’s blog"
url: https://technologyvoices.com/blog/132/
description: "Michael Tiemann writes for Technology Voices as Vice President of Open Source Affairs."
published: 2026-04-30
updated: 2026-04-30
---

# Michael Tiemann’s blog

Published 2026-04-30

Vice President of Open Source Affairs, Red Hat

Michael Tiemann is a true open source software pioneer. He made his first major open source contribution over a decade ago by writing the GNU C++ compiler, the first native-code C++ compiler and debugger. His early work led to the creation of leading open source technologies and the first open source business model. In 1989, Tiemann's technical expertise and entrepreneurial spirit led him to co-found Cygnus Solutions, the first company to provide commercial support for open source software. During his ten years at Cygnus, Tiemann contributed in a number of roles from President to hacker, helping lead the company from fledgling start-up to an admired open source leader. Tiemann serves on a number of boards, including the Open Source Initiative and the GNOME Foundation. Tiemann also provides financial support to organizations that further the goals of software and programmer freedom, including the Free Software Foundation and the Electronic Frontier Foundation.

## Entries in the archive

### Open Invention Network Explained

Last week Jerry Rosenthal of Open Invention Network issued a statement regarding the Microsoft-Novell pact. Included in that statement was the following: "Unfortunately, embedded in Microsoft's recent endorsement of Linux are claims regarding customers' needing protection from patent attack.

[Read this day in the archive](https://technologyvoices.com/archive/2006/11/30/)

### sco

Platforms

Main Entry: sco Pronunciation: sko Function: verb Etymology: Middle English, from Old English screw, that is, to stick it to some one transitive verb 1 : to threaten your customers with IP infringemen

[Read this day in the archive](https://technologyvoices.com/archive/2006/11/17/)

### Open Sourcing Java

Platforms

The decision by Sun Microsystems to move on their long-awaited relicensing of Java technologies is to be applauded. Folks, this is what we asked for, and now we have it. Although the specifics of the

[Read this day in the archive](https://technologyvoices.com/archive/2006/11/12/)

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