11.29.06
If Novell Turns to Virtualization, Has it Abandoned Its Linux Vision?
This fresh press release from Novell certainly changes the tune. No longer does Novell boast bringing SUSE Linux to schools and governments. For a change, Novell considers Windows as part of its infrastructure.
Whether it’s surprising or not probably depends on whether you have been a skeptic or a supporter or the deal. As Shane pointed out last night, Ron Hovsepian perceives that as the company’s new strategy and direction. On the face of it, Novell intends to virtualize Linux within Windows.
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.
shane said,
November 29, 2006 at 12:00 pm
It should be noted that those SUSE coupons that MS will distribute are specifically for running SUSE within the Longhorn Hypervisor:
http://www.itjungle.com/tlb/tlb112806-story06.html
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According to Novell, Microsoft will make a lump sum payment to Novell in the amount of $240 million, which will buy Microsoft 70,000 subscription certificates for Novell’s SUSE Linux Enterprise Server. The plan calls for Microsoft to distribute these coupons to its Windows Server customer base so they can acquire and run SLES in virtual partitions using the upcoming “Viridian” hypervisor that will debut with Windows Server “Longhorn,” according to Novell’s SEC filing. It also pays for all SLES maintenance and support from Novell.
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Draconishinobi said,
December 14, 2006 at 12:13 am
That’s just stupid … if Window$ crashes (as it often does), so does the virtualized Linux running within it. So what’s the point of it ? It renders Linux useless in such a situation.
sohbet said,
November 16, 2007 at 9:41 pm
thanks..