03.18.08
Novell Changes Teams, Fights For More Microsoft Lock-in
“Pearly Gates and Em-Ballmer
One promises you heaven and the other prepares you for the grave. “
–Ray Noorda (Novell’s CEO at the time)
It was only yesterday that we mentioned the Novell/Microsoft faceoff in the courtroom. It was over Microsoft’s file formats, in a sense. As you hopefully realise by now, Novell helps Microsoft in getting OOXML more widespread. Microsoft paid Novell to do this.
Why would Novell help Microsoft commit the very same sins which it currently sues Microsoft over? It’s moronic. To say more about it, consider this blog item which talks about Novell’s selfishness.
In other words, Microsoft engaged in selective interoperability via closed “standards,” which sounds eerily similar to the interoperability and patent scheme that Novell signed up to with Microsoft. Is it OK now that Novell gets to dish out the closed “standards” now, with Microsoft’s help?
[…]
Novell took 10 years to dig itself out from Microsoft’s last monopolistic barrage. Why undergo the same humiliation again? Why not join with the industry in forcing Microsoft to play fairly, rather than siding with the bully because it’s momentarily convenient?
Novell reckons that by helping Microsoft screws the whole of the industry it might actually receive a hug and some cash. In many ways, as we continue to find each day, Novell and Microsoft share the same goals. They are partners. █
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.