12.03.06
Microsoft Linux and the Kernel Question
There have been some crazy speculations coming from various people, some of whom suggest that Microsoft wants a BSD or Linux kernel for its Windows applications. Then, they say, Wine could be used to run applications without any problems. Unsurprisingly, a Wine developer was actually among the first people to compare Novell to SCO, just shortly after the Novell/Microsoft deal had been made. While crazy speculations are out in the open, I might as well mention this Nicvell (Microsoft Novell Linux) rumour.
Quotes of the day
From sys-con:
“CEO Steve Ballmer picked up the biggest, fattest, slitheriest worm out of that can of worms he opened up”
From Linux gazette:
“Well, I was extremely unhappy when Novell took over SuSE, but decided to take a wait-and-see attitude. Novell, in my assessment, back in the heyday of Netware was as arrogant and expensive as Microsoft. Hmmm… maybe it’s not surprising that they’re sharing a bed these days.”
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.