Novell and Microsoft: Stop with the FUD already
Submitted by srlinuxx on Fri, 08/22/2008 - 17:55.
Unlike a lot of open-source supporters, I don't turn red with anger at the very thought of Novell working with Microsoft. Like it or not, getting Linux and Windows to work better together makes good, hard business sense. What I do find annoying is that Novell is continuing to feed Microsoft's FUD machine about Linux.
In an e-mail interview with Ian Bruce, Novell's public relations director, Bruce wrote me that customers wanted the Novell/Microsoft package, in part, because it "provides IP (intellectual property) peace of mind for organizations operating in mixed source environments."
It does? Since when?
There are many good reasons to buy into Novell/Microsoft. These include network directory, virtualization, and document format interoperability. IP protection from Microsoft isn't one of them. You might be able to get a good deal on SLES (SUSE Linux Enterprise Server) from Microsoft!
I talk to a lot of business people who have either already committed themselves or are considering using Linux in their data-centers and offices. Not a one of them is seriously concerned about Linux's IP issues.
Microsoft and Novell: Buying In or Selling Out?
"Microsoft could be investing in Novell for a complete buyout at some point in the future after Novell developers create the ultimate OS for them, using Microsoft's money, of course. $300+ million buys you a lot of development."
http://www.daniweb.com/blogs/entry3012.html
Novell has netbooks and cellphones market yet to open up ?
Novell has a lawsuit on Microsoft, may win hundreds of millions of dollars.
Novell bills($156 million) Microsoft for the services rendered on coupons Microsoft gave out. Microsoft had to prepay for Novell linux(functions added or bug fixing) services. Microsoft has a customer retention management program.
Novell has a foot(small revenue derived) in the doors of Microsoft data center for virtualization Linux way.
Novell has netbooks market to penetrate then cellphones. Novel might get lucky with some killer apps.
No advantage for Microsoft to buy out the lawsuit. Its more expensive to buy out(competitive bids). Cloud computing in modern data center, Novell can not afford.
Microsoft needs large customers in their data center or millions of small customers(Yahoo); Novell does not know any large customers in the scale that Microsoft needs nor enough small customers. MSN has 8 million subscribers(AOL had 24 million, now claims only 3.5 million). Microsoft can be more competitive grabbing AOL subscribers. Microsoft webpage trailers(reduces traffic bandwidth, gears in disguise) can take over many traffic jammed baidu users in china? Chinese xml MSN needs investment in one of the Microsoft data center. Novell open sourced developers website has much less than a million.
As a Novl stockholder, we prefer Novell getting lucky and come up with a killer app to have a ten bagger(10x) of a stock appreciation. EPS goes up 10x?