Comments on: #5 - The new deal between Microsoft and Novell http://www.mindarch.com/techopinions/2006/11/30/5-the-new-deal-between-microsoft-and-novell/ Random opinions on state of tech Tue, 6 Jan 2009 12:56:41 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=1.5.1.3 by: Charles Harris http://www.mindarch.com/techopinions/2006/11/30/5-the-new-deal-between-microsoft-and-novell/#comment-9 Tue, 12 Dec 2006 21:34:45 +0000 http://www.mindarch.com/techopinions/2006/11/30/5-the-new-deal-between-microsoft-and-novell/#comment-9 Personally I think this is a terrible idea. While it sounds great on paper and looks good with highly paid marketing departments spinning tales, can we really forget that Microsoft's history as a technology predator? Every company that Microsoft has ever partnered with (with the exception of Sun Systems) was either bought out or killed off. Additionally I am heavily concerned that this alliance will force Novell into the BSA (Business Software Alliance); which they currently are not a member of. Novell, like Sun is currently not a member of the alliance and for good reason. However, when (if) the joins the alliance then we are talking about millions of companies that will all of the sudden be under the tragically financially disastrous legal knife of the BSA. As far as the benefits to be gained? I think they are far fetched and hopeful. Novell's SuSe is a threat to Enterprise Redhat, but only marginally. Additionally, the benefits would only be to that of SuSe and Microsoft servers, not FedoraCore, Cento's, Debian and the other flavors. Again, just hype from MS and Novell marketing on how this will realy help the industry. Personally I think this is a terrible idea. While it sounds great on paper and looks good with highly paid marketing departments spinning tales, can we really forget that Microsoft’s history as a technology predator? Every company that Microsoft has ever partnered with (with the exception of Sun Systems) was either bought out or killed off.

Additionally I am heavily concerned that this alliance will force Novell into the BSA (Business Software Alliance); which they currently are not a member of. Novell, like Sun is currently not a member of the alliance and for good reason. However, when (if) the joins the alliance then we are talking about millions of companies that will all of the sudden be under the tragically financially disastrous legal knife of the BSA.

As far as the benefits to be gained? I think they are far fetched and hopeful. Novell’s SuSe is a threat to Enterprise Redhat, but only marginally. Additionally, the benefits would only be to that of SuSe and Microsoft servers, not FedoraCore, Cento’s, Debian and the other flavors. Again, just hype from MS and Novell marketing on how this will realy help the industry.

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