02.12.07
This Is the Roadmap?
Well, we were told to wait for it, and here it is - the Microsoft-Novell deal roadmap, this is what will let customers see the benefits they will reap from the Microvell deal.
I reread this release twice, and learned nothing. Granted, perhaps not everyone has been as engrossed in this deal as we have here, but this provides nothing new and nothing specific.
REDMOND, Wash., and WALTHAM, Mass., Feb. 12 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ — Microsoft Corp. (Nasdaq: MSFT) and Novell (Nasdaq: NOVL) today unveiled more details about their joint technical roadmap and the benefits customers can expect from the collaboration. Microsoft and Novell are engaged in joint development on four areas of technology that address significant problems faced by enterprise customers today: virtualization, Web services for managing physical and virtual servers, directory and identity interoperability, and document format compatibility.
“With this first installment of the Microsoft-Novell development roadmap, we see that both companies are building on this relationship to develop real, product-specific solutions to deliver on the promises made to customers,” said Al Gillen, research vice president, System Software, for IDC. “The great potential of the November announcement between Microsoft and Novell could have been disappointing without a product-specific roadmap to execute against. With the roadmap, the technology benefits customers can expect will be tangible and delivered on a predictable basis.”
Afterwards, the release basically lists each of the technical aspects of the deal that we have heard about repeatedly in the past few months: Virtualization, Web Services-Based Management, Directory and Identity Interoperability, Document Format Compatibility and a quick blurb for each promising some non-specific products and translators to be released "throughout 2007".
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.
Roy Schestowitz said,
February 12, 2007 at 1:04 pm
There’s more about this here: (beyond the self-promotional press release)
http://www.betanews.com/article/Microsoft_Novell_to_Bridge_Active_Directory_eDirectory/1171299162
Stephen said,
February 12, 2007 at 4:30 pm
So what you’re really saying here is that Novell have been completely consistent in what they’ve said since the deal was first announced and that nothing surprises you about today’s announcement? Still waiting for the sky to fall!
shane said,
February 12, 2007 at 7:42 pm
Oh, it fell way back on Nov. 2 2006 when Novell disemboweled the GPL2 for their own selfish benefit, and has done nothing but be complicit in Microsoft’s FUD campaign against Free Software ever since.
We’re just documenting the downfall of a once-mighty company here at this site, we try our best to be insightful and engaging, and always appreciate the readership and discussions…
What I am saying in this article is that this "roadmap" that we were told would be so informative and elucidating is as non-specific and obtuse as the entire patent covenant aspect of the deal.
So I too ask, but of Microvell, where’s the beef?
Draconishinobi said,
February 12, 2007 at 8:36 pm
Don’t worry too much about Stephen, he works for Novell … I mean, what else could he say ?
Roy Schestowitz said,
February 13, 2007 at 1:05 am
I don’t think Stephen works for Novell, but it’s apologism for sure.