Linux vs Windows - Conquering a Windows Based World

The Microsoft “Flash Killer” plug-in is soon to be available on Linux.

Microsoft confirmed that it will work with Novell to deliver Silverlight support for Linux, called Moonlight, based on the project started on mono-project.com. 

Probably, what  amazes me most is the fact that Microsoft would dedicate any amount of time and money developing and releasing software for Linux.  Microsoft spends a ton of money telling you why Linux is awful, and why they just might sue the pants off you if you decide to use it.  However behind the scenes they are developing and releasing software for Linux.  So if Linux is such an inferior platform, why would they even bother releasing software for it?