09.14.07
Novell Chooses to Turn from a Leader into a Follower
It was only a couple of days ago that we mentioned a peer’s warning that Linux is being subverted. We are not the only people out there who understand why Novell is a danger to Linux and free software. There is a followup that expands on this.
There are better, more robust mail systems out there than exchange. So why is Novell trying so hard to tow to Microsoft with its evolution?
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That was just one example and there are many others. The open source world has many better enterprise ready solutions than Microsoft. You just have to know what those alternatives are. There is no need for Linux to conform to Microsoft. Linux needs to be and set the future of computing. Linux needs to be a leader, not a follower. At the moment, due to Microsoft’s manipulations, Linux is turning from a leader to a follower and what is worse. You are letting it!
“It becomes a second-class choice with second-class software…”This is another criticism among many. Novell is bending to the dynamics of things like Silverlight, OOXML, and other Linux-hostile technologies that only enable Microsoft to preserve and extend its grip on industry — from desktops, to servers, to the Internet. These technologies are Trojan horses. Novell, being the second-hand carrier of these technologies (the “Greek bearing gifts”), is itself an embodiment of the Trojan. It deserves to be treated as such.
As indicated above, Linux does not need Exchange; nor does it require OOXML or Silverlight, which Linux needs to combat rather than submissively embrace, until they are platform-neutral (they are not). Here is a new blog item that demonstrates Linux’s strengths.
And - as some commenters on the page there report - syncing calendars with Thunderbird / Google / mobile phone or other devices works flawlessly. The author is using it with his N70 for instance.
It is only one example which does not even take into account Novell’s old Exchange alternatives, at least one of which was ditched after its deal with Microsoft. Coincidence? We never thought so.
By taking the Microsoft route, Novell achieves nothing. It becomes a second-class choice with second-class software that is unable to cope with the latest ‘extension’ Microsoft introduced in its technology. At the end of the day, all it leads to is a migration (back) to Windows.
Those who follow finish last. Don’t let Novell turn Linux as a whole into a follower.
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,
September 14, 2007 at 8:16 pm
Actually, Novell has the only real cross platform enterprise groupware package available(GroupWise). GroupWise is the reason NetMail was sold to Messaging Architects(a partner), the precursor to which Novell dropped Hula because of a complete lack of interest from the community. Come on, Hula was never intended to be an exchange killer, nor did it even come close to comparing to GroupWise.
Novell’s just giving a route to be able to connect to exchange without having to use Outlook. Whether you or I want to accept it or not, exchange is the market leader, nobody comes close.
Sebastiaan Veld said,
September 15, 2007 at 1:53 am
I second that. If you want go get into a Microsoft orientated company with a Linux desktop the you better have good AD and Exchange integration.
Roy Schestowitz said,
September 15, 2007 at 4:03 am
Europe (among others) has been attempting to open up protocols, which never should have been closed in the first place.
Eric Gearhart said,
September 18, 2007 at 7:41 am
Wow guys. More sensationalist FUD once again.
So… because Evolution can connect to Microsoft Exchange, it automatically means Novell is a Microsoft shill (even though as stated by other folks they have their own cross-platform messaging solution).
You are really not making a lot of sense here. Novell employs some of the biggest “personalities” in open source software - Nat Friendman, Miguel de Icaza, etc al and is the #2 contributor to OpenOffice.org, which is THE biggest, cross-platoform competitor to Microsoft Office.
I’m really starting to wonder if this blog is actually paid and sponsored by Microsoft, to try and get the community to “rebel” against Novell, and further split the Linux market up.