01.01.07
From Beating Microsoft to Virtualisation, to Conceding the Race Altogether
Several times in the past we mentioned Novell’s plan to virtualise GNU/Linux under the ’stable and secure’ Microsoft Windows platform [1, 2, 3, 4] rather than apply simple logic and do things the other way around, honouring and utilising the value of Linux, as well as giving it muchly-deserved dominance. Here is the latest take on this surprising change of heart at Novell.
When it comes to Linux servers, a few months can make a whole lot of difference. Earlier this year, Red Hat, Novell, and most major Linux vendors were doing their best to fend off Windows Virtualized Server by getting their own virtualization offerings out the door first. But now, as part of a multifaceted deal unveiled in November, Novell and its former competitor Microsoft each plan to “optimize” their servers to work best on one another’s VM (virtual machine) platforms.
This virtualisation rivalry takes us back to the days of a “Xen readiness” war between Red Hat and Novell. The latest of Fedora boasts a GUI, as a recent articles notes.
The new version (6) of Fedora Core, which became available for download in November, shows that major Linux vendors see the importance of virtualisation and virtual private servers in years to come.
Xen in Fedora Core 6 comes with a GUI named Virtual Machine Manager.
Shown below is Xen running under Debian in good ol’ command-line mode.
Loosely-related side note: a couple of weeks ago we mentioned how temporary trends affect hype and can therefore have an unsustainable impact on Web sites such as DistroWatch. As predicted, Ubuntu has returned to the top of the pageviews-based ranks list.
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.