04.10.07
Easter Digest: Novell and Related Topics in the News
Here are some stories of interest:
GPL 3: Will Somebody Get Short-Changed, No Matter What?
If Novell does not get grandfathered into GPL 3 compliance, Novell’s SUSE Linux will turn into a “fork” of Linux, said Bruce Perens, primary author of the original GPL GNU software contract.
EFF lawyer warns of e-learning patent dangers
Although Blackboard has publicly pledged not to enforce its patent against open-source software distributors, universities, or non-commercial entities, there are many gray areas that make it difficult to guess what is permissible and what is not. For instance, Schultz points out that the pledge allows Blackboard to sue proprietary software vendors that incorporate open-source software components into their offerings.
Comparing Blackboard to “a schoolyard bully who holds a huge club over your head and promises not to hit you as long as you don’t play with certain other kids on the playground,” Schultz believes that Blackboard’s pledge is “a nice gesture” but lacks the efficacy and legal significance of an official royalty-free patent license.
A school deploys Novell’s Linux solution.
“Each multi-station Linux desktop delivers exceptional performance. Students have access to USB audio headsets and can save their files to USB memory keys. The Linux Desktop Multiplier is transparent to users,” according to the posting.
According to Novell, in August 2006, Indiana school officials announced it would be using 20,000 Linux workstations as part of the “Affordable Classroom Computes for Every Secondary Student” program.
Finally, Malaysia suspends ODF approval process amid all the lobbying, which we have covered before.
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.