09.07.07
Linspire’s Chairman Apparently Moves on (and Out of Linux)
Maybe it is a matter of multi-tasking, but it sure seems like Linspire’s chairman has just found a new venture after much pessimism and an alleged “executive exodus”. His new venture has nothing to do with Linux. It seems unlikely that Linspire will grow or recover, having lost its controversial CEO and reputation (which was never great anyway).
Why the hostility? Because Linspire turned into a Linux foe shortly after it had received payments from Microsoft.




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.
John R said,
September 7, 2007 at 9:29 am
It was NOT Linspire’s “Chairman” who resigned, but their CEO. Linspire’s Chairman has always been Michael Robertson, and he is still Linspire’s Chairman. It was their CEO, Kevin Carmony, who resigned and moved on to other non-Linux related ventures. Michael Robertson has several ventures, and has for years, not just Linspire. It’s not unusual for a Chairman to be involved in multiple companies.
John
Roy Schestowitz said,
September 7, 2007 at 4:26 pm
John,
Yes, I know this and I thought the text made it clear. Carmony and others appear to have left, but it also looks like the chairman puts his eyes on other projects (unless it’s a case of handling many projects, as always).