09.20.08
Do-No-Evil Saturday - Part III: Another Load of Novell News
Legal
Firefox made a lot of headlines over the past week ‘thanks’ to GNU/Linux. An issue came about in Ubuntu sites where people complained about the EULA, but OpenSUSE was not entirely isolated from this debate. In the following article, Zonker had his say.
For Novell’s OpenSUSE, the EULA has been a temporary annoyance as well.
“I understand the shock that people might feel the first time they see an application popping up a EULA — and I dearly hope it doesn’t become a standard practice with OSS apps — but in the general scope of things, I don’t think it’s an enormous burden on the user, since it’s a one-time issue,” Joe “Zonker” Brockmeier, Novell’s openSUSE community manager, told InternetNews.com.
He blogged about it too :
As I said yesterday, I think the bulk of complaints were a bit off. Most people seemed to be complaining about the display of the license, rather than the EULA itself. Given the barrage of EULAs you see on Windows and Mac OS X, I’m not sure if this means that Windows and Mac users are overly complacent, or that Linux users are overly touchy. Maybe both.
Virtualisation
There were heaps of reports because of VMworld and Interop. Here are the key ones where Novell was involved.
Most recently it was this press release from Xenocode (also to be found here), which Novell bought a licence from.
Xenocode, a next-generation virtualization company, today announced the licensing of its best-in-class application virtualization technology to Novell. The recently announced Novell ZENworks Application Virtualization solution leverages Xenocode’s virtualization technology to allow customers to deploy their applications inside a “virtual container” requiring no installation or configuration. Virtual application deployment eliminates application conflicts and compatibility problems on Windows desktops, allowing organizations to run legacy applications on Windows Vista and deploy multiple versions of applications side-by-side in isolated “sandboxes.”
“We are especially excited about combining our leadership in virtualization technology with Novell’s best-of-breed ZENworks management infrastructure platform,” said Kenji Obata, Xenocode founder and CEO. “This licensing agreement provides a powerful, integrated solution for large organizations to assure instant availability of applications across all versions and desktop platforms.”
Articles about this might arrive shortly. Maureen O’Gara wrote one, but it’s better to ignore it.
Userful’s latest announcement was mentioned last week, but articles about it continue to come. Here are 3 more of them:
1. Linux Product Insider - ”Free the Penguins” Virtualization in Schools Initiative
A valiant attempt to ungrip the Microsoft stranglehold on school PCs is the newly announced ”Free the Penguins” Virtualization in Schools Initiative from Omni Technology Solutions, Userful and Novell. The firms claim that “educational institutions looking for a low-cost, eco-friendly alternative to stand-alone Windows desktops can now deploy [the software for] their first 30-station computer lab or classroom free of charge”. Every university, college and school district in the world is eligible to receive a free 30-user Userful Multiplier virtualization software license, while the first 30 customers will also receive a free 30-user subscription to SUSE Linux Enterprise Desktop from Novell. Omni is the distributor of the free solution.
2. Schools get free PC virtualization and Novell SUSE
Two Canadian firms have donated up to three Linux-based Multiplier virtualization systems to any nonprofit school or university. Each Multiplier system lets up to 10 students apiece share a single computer. The first 30 requesting schools will also receive free SUSE software.
3. Calgary entrepreneur liberates desktops
Userful has grown to more than $1 million in annual sales (Griffin won’t give an exact number) with 30,000 “computer seats” that pay monthly management fees of $10 to $100 per desktop per month to Userful or its partners.
Novell is also mentioned in this article about server virtualisation at Unisys.
The 7600R is also certified, of course, to support the VMware ESX Server 3.5 virtual machine hypervisor for carving up the server into sub-processor VMs, and customers can also use Microsoft’s Hyper-V for Windows Server 2008 or the integrated Xen hypervisor inside Red Hat’s Enterprise Linux Advanced Platform 5.2 or Novell’s Linux Enterprise Server 10 SP2 to similarly carve up the box.
A press release from PlateSpin/Novell reveals another new product, which very few reports were published to describe.
PlateSpin ULC, a Novell® company, today announced the availability of PlateSpin Forge(TM) version 2.0, an innovative hardware-based disaster recovery appliance that uses embedded VMware virtualization to protect most x86 server workloads.
The appliances, each delivered pre-configured with storage, management software and VMware virtualisation to support between 10 and 25 workloads, can be clustered under the control of management software for implementation in large enterprises if required. The latest version includes support for 64-bit Windows workloads.
It does raise some questions about Microsoft’s benefit from this acquisition of PlateSpin by Novell.
rPath was mentioned last week because its strong new relationship with Novell may have affected its relationship with Microsoft. rPath does not neglect VMware though.
In addition, application providers will be able to leverage SUSE Linux Enterprise Server from Novell when building VMware Ready virtual appliances using rPath’s technology platform.
As we shall see in a moment, Novell and VMware are no foes, either. That’s despite the Microsoft connection (Novell is serving Microsoft. There are still some articles hanging about which talk about Microsoft and Novell in Hyper-V.
Hyper-Vell
Marius Oiaga wrote:
Microsoft continues to bridge its proprietary Windows operating system with the open source Linux platform, simultaneously advancing its collaboration with Novell.
Here is another report about it.
Microsoft Corp. and Novell Inc. are announcing the availability of a joint virtualization solution optimized for customers running mixed-source environments. The joint offering includes SUSE Linux Enterprise Server from Novell configured and tested as an optimized guest operating system running on Windows Server 2008 Hyper-V, and is fully supported by both companies’ channel partners, including Dell Inc., which will test and validate this offering at the Microsoft and Novell joint Interoperability Lab in Cambridge, Massachusetts. The offering provides customers with the first complete, fully supported and optimized virtualization solution to span Windows and Linux environments.
CBR pulled a fast one as well (mirrored here)
The companies also have partnerships in three other fields: Moonlight, accessibility, and a new SUSE Linux Enterprise Server management pack for Microsoft System Center product. In August, Microsoft expanded its interoperability relationship with Novell by agreeing to buy an incremental $100m worth of subscription certificates for Novell’s Linux products.
Another one here:
This step will also give a new way to the ongoing partnership between Microsoft and Novell. In 2006, these two came together and signed a licensing deal which according to many was Microsoft’s official acceptance of Linux.
“Official acceptance of Linux…” maybe an acceptance of Linux tax as the chosen approach rather.
Pam Derringer wrote:
While not giving relative performance benchmarks of Red Hat versus SUSE on Hyper-V, Rego said Hyper-V has no comparable integration components for Red Hat guests. Red Hat “could choose” to use some of the components, but its current move from Xen to a KVM-based hypervisor “will change things quite a bit,” added Dorfman.
Tony Iams, an analyst at Rye Brook, N.Y.-based Ideas International Inc., said the significance of the announcement is that the virtualization adapters are now a reality.
“This is an encouraging sign that [Microsoft and Novell] are progressing and their relationship remains as strong as ever,” Iams said. “They’ve delivered a crucial milestone.”
From Trading Markets:
Microsoft and Novell have formed a partnership to provide a joint virtualization offering for clients running mixed-source environments.
And another similar report (eerily similar):
Microsoft and Novell announced the availability of a joint virtualization solution optimized for customers running mixed-source environments.
Ian Bruce wrote about this at Novell.com.
VMworld
Novell wrote about this event in its PR blog and Ken Hess was there covering it on behalf of Linux Magazine. At the beginning of VMworld:
Speaking of announcements, I suspect that Microsoft and Novell may make a big one at this conference throwing the limelight squarely on their partnership going forward. They announced last Thursday that they’re going to collaborate on a virtualization solution that involves running SuSE Linux on Microsoft’s Hyper-V server. And, there’s that perennial struggle between Microsoft and Citrix. I wonder when those two are going to give up this strained on-again, off-again relationship and just move in together.
Novell actually made a VMware-related announcement:
Novell today announced broad support for the VMware* Ready Program and for VMware Studio, with SUSE(R) Linux Enterprise now verified as VMware Ready and as a fully supported guest operating system.
This is also mentioned here.
VMware’s situation seems rather tough and complicated due to bundling and FUD. The following article quotes a man who used to be part of Microsoft’s slog. He is now a victim of the type of slog.
VMware Inc.’s new CEO Paul Maritz is familiar with Microsoft’s marketing.
He was a top executive at Microsoft for many years, after all, and witnessed its rivalry through the 1990s with Novell Inc. He recalled that he had his team scheming of ways to put a Microsoft logo on the pillow slipcovers of attendees at a Novell event.
That rivalry didn’t turn out too well for Novell, and now Microsoft is aiming its guns at VMware.
SAP
The ‘SAP triangle’ is being mentioned and shown here in the news.
Moiz Kohari, vice president of engineering, open platform solutions group at Novell, said in an e-mail interview: “We believe that awareness in Asia is already very high. Global adoption of Linux is reaching, if not already, at critical mass, and this naturally impacts Asia.”
Boosting enterprise confidence in open source
But the crucial trigger for enterprise adoption is interoperability. Citing Oracle’s support for Linux, SAP’s endorsement of Novell’s Suse Linux distribution and Novell’s partnership with Microsoft, Kohari said major software players have shown they are ready to support Linux in Asia, which will help boost customer confidence in taking up open source technologies.
It’s all just a bunch of mutual and multi-mutual partners patting themselves (and each other) on the back, making reciprocal recommendations. Microsoft almost bought SAP a couple of years ago.
Security
Not many vulnerabilities or advisories came up. Here is just one.
People
After an abrupt departure of the former channel chief (she left after months on the job), another appointment is made. There is a lot of coverage about it. Here is the press release and an early short report.
Novell Inc (Nasdaq:NOVL) announced today (12 September) the appointment of Javier Colado as general manager, Partners, responsible for the management of Novell’s partner and channel strategy world wide.
Another quickie:
Novell Inc. announced the appointment of Javier Colado to the new position of general manager, partners, effective immediately. Colado will be responsible for leading and managing channel and partner strategy worldwide, with a focus on accelerating Novell’s channel transformation.
Reports from ‘channel press’ soon arrived because Novell is still an important part to those who depend on VARs. From CRN:
Novell has named Javier Colado, previously manager of the software company’s Europe, Middle East and Africa operations, as its new channel chief, the company announced Friday.
Colado’s appointment, effective last week, comes nearly six weeks after the sudden departure of vice president of global channel sales Pat Bernard who left, according to the company, “to pursue other interests.” Colado will report to president and CEO Ron Hovsepian and will relocate from Spain to work in Novell’s Waltham, Mass., headquarters.
Novell’s channel management has undergone some turbulence during the last year. Bernard took the reins of the company’s channel operations just last November when Novell’s channel executive ranks underwent major changes including the departures of Steve Erdman, vice president and general manager of channels and alliances, and James Simzer, director of North America partner sales.
From Channel Insider:
Colado, who will be based in Novell’s Massachusetts headquarters, replaces Pat Bernard who left Novell in early August after less than a year with the company. Bernard’s charter was to make Novell a more channel-centric company.
Another channel-oriented publication quoted Novell’s CEO, to whom Colado will report:
“Javier has a tremendous track record of executing against strategic partner and channel initiatives,” said Hovsepian. “This new role is critical to Novell’s continued growth and success and Javier is the right leader to continue to drive our channel strategy, identify and recruit new partners, and champion our internal transformation.”
From echannelline.com, which is very Novell-friendly:
Colado has been with Novell since 2006, serving as Area General Manager and Vice President for Western Europe, Middle East and Africa. Prior to joining Novell, he held senior executive positions with McAfee and Lucent Technologies.
Joe Panettieri wrote:
Javier Colado, Novell’s new channel chief, faces some clear challenges. Many pundits say Colado has to strengthen Novell’s SUSE Linux partner ranks. But in reality, The VAR Guy believes, Colado has to build a bridge between vastly different software islands. Here’s why.
Sure, you know Novell has been gaining some momentum with SUSE Linux and the company has recruited more than 2,000 ISVs (independent software vendors) to back SUSE Linux. And that momentum will continue this week when Novell participates in Lenovo’s first server announcements at Interop.
Panettieri also submitted this to Seeking Alpha, which he hasn’t done in a while (he runs his own media network):
Novell (NOVL) named Javier Colado to oversee the company’s partner programs on September 12. Many pundits say Colado has to strengthen Novell’s SUSE Linux partner ranks. But in reality, I think Colado has to build a bridge between vastly different software islands.
Novell has recruited more than 2,000 ISVs (independent software vendors) to back SUSE Linux. And that momentum will continue this week when Novell participates in Lenovo’s (LNVGY.PK) first server announcements at the Interop trade show.
Also channel-related was the following article about PlateSpin’s new strategy.
Workload management solutions vendor PlateSpin has revealed its new channel business model, which the company claims enriches financial rewards for partners. PlatesSpin, which is part of Novell, reckons that its new reseller programme focuses on growing partner sales and profits and offers one of the highest margins available in the industry today.
Lastly, a former Noveller is seen moving between companies.
Butterfield is managing partner of SageCreek partners, and previously served as group president at Symantec, and CEO of Altiris. Butterfield has also served at Vinca Corporation, Novell, and WordPerfect Corporation.
Marketing
Novell has begun reviewing itself.
Software company Novell is conducting a review for an agency to support its PR function in North America.
Ian Bruce, Novell’s director of global PR, said the selected firm will primarily aid media relations for the company, which produces Linux, a rival to Microsoft’s Windows operating platform.
This was covered also here. Is Novell looking for an identity?
The YouTube user known as “NovellVideo” (maybe a marketing guy) keeps pushing Novell adverts into YouTube. Here is “Kernel”.
The Director of Electronic Marketing at Novell also had this video of her pushed onto YouTube.
That’s all for today. Gosh, that was long. █
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.