10.01.07
Robber Barons Think Alike (Microsoft and Novell)
As our Saturday postings regulatory show, Novell contributes a fair deal to Linux and open source. However, there is a bit of s “robber baron” mentality here. Novell believes that it is acceptable to exploit Linux, sucking up its advantages at the expense of those who make Linux possible. Then, it throws contributions back at Linux and hopes for forgiveness. It’s the equivalent of ‘charity’ to a baron that steals from the poor or exploits the poor to make a fortune. Microsoft is on the same boat.
“To Novell, the deal is about Novell. To Microsoft, it’s about destroying Linux.”Some of Justin Steinman’s most recent remarks truly reveal the marketing shark that he is. Several times in the past we caught him taking cheap shots — however false or baseless they may be — at Red Hat (e.g. this one incident, among more). You must remember that he has a night job (yes, that’s what he calls it) which is intended to “make it happen” (Ron Hovsepian’s words). By “make it happen”, Ron Hovsepian meant “hooking up Novell with the predator that competes against it — Microsoft”.
Novell’s management is either totally foolish or bribed (we’ve observed some financial oddities, e.g. [). This Microsoft/Novell relationship is skin-deep and there’s a lot that remains to be explored and understood. To Novell, the deal is about Novell. To Microsoft, it’s about destroying Linux.
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.