04.16.07
Novell Executive Shakeup: Appointment? Shuffle? Departure? (Corrected: Board, Not Executive)
Novell has published this rather optimistic press release about an appointment in the company. Looking at the 8-K Form that is independent from PR, it appears as though one important executive board member (thanks, Ian, for the correction) recently departed from the company, leaving a vacant position. This might be difficult to confirm, but in any event, changes at this level are a sign of weakness.
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.
Ian said,
April 16, 2007 at 8:05 pm
From what I read, they have added a board member, not an executive. They do not get involved with the day to day operations unless they’re in dual role(see Steve Jobs). A change in an executive position has more impact than a board member depending on the situation. Unless there’s a possible takeover in the works and you have a poison pill situation, it’s an otherwise fairly irrelevent occurance.
Jim said,
April 19, 2007 at 10:06 pm
The departure was Jack Messman.
http://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/758004/000075800406000079/novl-8k_091206.htm