11.27.06
This Could Be Uncomfortable
Novell will be appearing at an upcoming forum hosted by The Cape Information Technology Initiative (CITI), the highlight is an opportunity to question Novell directly over the current Microsoft deal.
Answering questions on this deal in any venue is difficult enough, but it is rather interesting to see who is behind the event (link is mine):
The morning will round up with a discussion over the FOSS Forum and the direction which it will take in 2007. Established as a joint initiative between CITI, the University of the Western Cape and Government, this forum aims to foster FOSS growth in the Western Cape and beyond. Development and skills enhancements are key areas of focus.
I can only hope that Novell can still make it, and am hoping a reader or two from the region can attend and provide a report of the event. Anyone who plans to attend and would like to report on the conference here at boycottnovell.com, please email me shane < at > edu-nix.org.
Information from the article regarding the conference registration:
The event takes place at 44 Wale Street, Cape Town from 8am until noon on Thursday December 7.
Programme
08h00-08h30 - Registration
M08h30 - Welcoming address Viola Manuel, executive director, CITI
09h00 - Novell Microsoft deal presentation and Q&A by Peter Hunter, regional manager, Novell
09h45- 10h15 - Tea break
10h15 - Company presentations
11h15 - The FOSS Forum presented by Viola Manuel, executive director, CITI
11h30-12h00 - Discussion on ways forward for the FOSS Forum in 2007To book email leigh.holt@citi.org.za, or call 021 409 7000. Reservations must be made by Tuesday December 5. Space is limited and early reservations are recommended to guarantee your seat.
Highlight: Novell was the first to acknowledge that Microsoft FUD tactics had substance. Novell then used anti-Linux FUD to market itself. 
Highlight: Xandros let Microsoft make patent claims and brag about (paid-for) OOXML support. 
Highlight: Linspire's CEO not only fell into Microsoft arms, but he also assisted the company's attack on GNU/Linux. 
Highlight: Microsoft craves pseudo (proprietary) standards and gets its way using proxies and influence which it buys. 
Highlight: The invasion into the open source world is intended to leave Linux companies neglected, due to financial incentives from Microsoft. 
Analysis: Xen, an open source hypervisor, possibly fell victim to Microsoft's aggressive (and stealthy) acquisition-by-proxy strategy.