09.30.07
Novell Gets the (Digital) Spanking from Groklaw, Matt Asay
For those who believe we’re the exception here at Boycott Novell, be aware that other respectable entities and individuals perceive Novell’s deal with Microsoft similarly. Groklaw, for example, has just published a lengthy piece. Here’s a fragment:
But the main takeaway, as they might put it, for me is that this [Novell/Microsoft deal] is an anti-Red Hat deal, and Novell is thrilled about that. Justin Steinman reveals that to market their SUSE Linux Enterprise Server against Red Hat they ask, “Do you want the Linux that works with Windows? Or the one that doesn’t?” It’s just appalling. Let me ask you developers who are kernel guys a question: When you contributed code to the kernel, was it your intent that it be used against Red Hat? How about the rest of you developers? Is that all right with you, that your code is being marketed by Novell like that?
This is far from the first time that PJ slams this deal with Microsoft. PJ ought to be aware of the fact that Novell took a rather passive stance when Microsoft attacked Linux, with the exception of Novell. The company also perceives patent FUD as a competitive edge and advantage. This, more than anything else, is what makes Novell a threat to Linux. Fear in the Linux world is in Novell’s interest.
Matt Asay has his own lengthy piece and what makes his view exceptional are his roots in Novell, where he once actually worked.
Novell has a duty to the community to sell its excellent open-source software for what it is: excellent open-source software. It should not (as it does - I’ve talked with its salespeople - and which it has gone on the record as noting that it does) use lame patent FUD and equally lame patent protection to sell that software. It does not need to. We don’t expect better of Microsoft - it has been competing this way for decades. But we should expect and get more from one of our own.
While the press is likely to carry on with its blind obedience to advertisers and some critical figures will continue to shy away from criticism, this Web site will carry on protesting. It is nice to find other prominent sites and blogs which support the same cause and whose assessment aligns with ours. An intersection of minds gives more validity to our views.
Novell’s lost Linux identity requires an
identity management solution.
Doctor, heal thyself.
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.