06.04.07
Novell Helps Microsoft Hijack the World Wide Web
Following the previous post on OOXML support (or rather — lack thereof), another item on Mono makes the rounds and it is definitely worth mentioning here. It talks about Silverlight support in Linux (mind this comment about patents).
Production-ready it will not be, but Mono project busy beavers expect to provide a feasibility “alpha” demonstration in about two weeks of Microsoft’s recently unveiled Silverlight on Linux, says Miguel de Icaza, vice president of developer platforms at Novell and the leader of the Mono project.
Novell is spearheading support for Microsoft’s ‘Open Web killer’ or what some call “Microsoft’s attempt to hijack the Web”. This could be another case of showing support (probably loose, incomplete, and therefore more of a symbolic gesture) to Microsoft and Silverlight. It is a case of following Microsoft’s lead on Web design decisions, then obediently following the company it ‘extends’, as a matter of principle. Just remember the Halloween Memos.
Q: The first document talked about extending standard protocols as a way to “deny OSS projects entry into the market.” What does this mean?
A: To better serve customers, Microsoft needs to innovate above standard protocols. By innovating above the base protocol, we are able to deliver advanced functionality to users.
Saying that Linux would work with Silverlight is much like the promise of full OOXML support in OpenOffice.org. Don’t buy their arguments. Novell plays second fiddle to Microsoft’s attempt to take over the Web. It enabled Microsoft to gain more control and power. Like OOXML, it is bound to fail, so supporting may be a waste of resources (time, money, image).
Novell has taught us that the ‘Trojan horse’ which strives to enter as many cities as possible is not just the prelude to patent FUD. It is also a mechanism for promoting Microsoft’s agenda. Can Novell ever decline? Well, it has truly become too Microsoft-dependent.
Related links:
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.