Microsoft has been trying to make nice with the open source community for years, though the open source community usually responds with caution and skepticism about the Windows juggernaut's sincerity.

With the 20th anniversary of Linux now upon us, Microsoft has posted a kind, wry video (below) that plays off the historic rivalry and ends with a "can't we just be friends?" message

Whatever the motivation behind the video -- authentic Microsoft congrats, a ploy to ingratiate itself with Linux users in hopes of converting them into Windows Servers ultimately, or simply canny marketing to get Microsoft some attention when people are focused on Linux -- it's worth watching. Enjoy!

This story, "Microsoft's 'happy birthday' video to Linux: Cynical or sincere?," was originally published at InfoWorld.com. Get the first word on what the important tech news really means with the InfoWorld Tech Watch blog. For the latest developments in business technology news, follow InfoWorld.com on Twitter.