08.14.07
Linus Torvalds Finally Comments on the Novell/Microsoft Deal
A couple of days ago we mentioned IBM’s take on the Novell/Microsoft deal. For future record, here are the views of Linus Torvalds, extracted from his most recent interview.
As well as making assertions over patents, Microsoft has also caused a stir in the open source world by forming partnerships with Linux distributors, the largest one being Novell.
But despite the controversy, Torvalds remains nonplussed. “I don’t actually think the Novell-Microsoft agreement kind of thing matters all that much in the end, but it’s interesting to see the signs that the sides are at least talking to each other.
“I don’t know what the end result will be, but I think it would be healthier for everybody if there wasn’t the kind of rabid hatred on both sides,” he told Computerworld.
In past interviews we pointed out that Linus had escaped the question and offered no comment about the deal. This might be the first time that he speaks about it in public. The remainder of this article is interesting as well because Torvalds attacks Microsoft for its unsubstantiated claims.
Remember that Torvalds would have caused a stir if he had criticised Novell. Novell is deeply involved in the Linux Foundation that Torvalds depends on. At least his comment remains somewhat inconclusive (compare this Stuart Cohen’s). They are not as controversial and divisive as his comments about the GNU GPLv3 and the FSF.
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.
Dev Null said,
September 12, 2007 at 10:23 pm
I thought you guys would get tired of writing nonsense articles, but I see you’re still around. Too bad. I would just like to say that Linus has the right approach, what’s the point of all this fighting? You guys argue against “freedom”, as Jihad Stallman does, but you want to restrict how the rest of the people do what they do. Hello? No wonder you can’t defend your point logically, you and Jihad Stallman have really no point to defend.
To imply that MS controls Novell is simply idiotic, but if you want to believe it, it’s your choice, now that’s freedom. Where’s your www.boycottlinspire.com, www.boycottdell.com, www.boycotthp.com, etc., etc., why Novell? You bunch of hipocrites! And, no I’m not from Microsoft, if anything I think Microsoft’s products suck, but if I use their products I have no less freedom than if I use Linux. The normal user doesn’t care about your “lofty freedom” goals (gag). The normal user doesn’t even know what source code is, or what compilation means, or what is “make install”, nor anything like that, so what the hell are you talking about? Knowledgeable individuals/companies are telling the whole world cooperations is good, what part of that you don’t understand?