so this means suse will be the first linux distro to be target of virus?

has anyone ever suceeded to get there net install cd to actually work?

You see, part of the agreement extends IP protection for Novell's Linux products. This is the part of the announcement that concerns me and perhaps contained Microsoft's hidden agenda. This part of their agreement, by its very nature, suggests two things: 1) that Microsoft HAS IP in open source Linux, and 2) that Microsoft should be paid a licensing fee for this IP. I don't think the rest of the world agrees with these points, or that they've ever been proven in any court. By making such assertions, and now with Novell as their poster child for these claims, Microsoft is in a position to either try to kill open source Linux with exorbitant fees, or to make sure they share in its success, should they prove unable to kill it.

Since transparently investing in SCO, Microsoft has wanted to find ways to use 3rd parties to thwart open source and Linux. I honestly believe Microsoft would love to point their IP guns directly at Linux and blow it out of the water, but that would appear too heavy handed, so they need to have one willing partner to set a price and precedence on that IP. And yesterday, Microsoft announced that partner. Because of their large patent portfolio, Novell was the perfect choice. If Microsoft is going to let the "first guy" off the hook, Novell is a good choice. I'm confident that, just like with the SCO matter, when you follow the money, not only will you see a lot flowing from Novell to Microsoft to pay for the IP, but you'll also find lots flowing from Microsoft to Novell, to off set the IP fees, basically paying Novell to be Microsoft's poster child for IP payments.

However, with SCO, their futile scare tactic attempt to stymie the natural momentum of Linux and Open Source software did nothing but provide editorial content for the industry trades, bringing even more attention to the Linux option. Yes, it worried some at first, but when the dust settled, there was nothing there, leaving Linux more popular than ever. I believe the same will happen in this instance. Those of us who have been following, or are specifically involved with Linux and open source software, are keenly aware that it's an unstoppable movement that continues to weave its way into the fabric of technology in every industry. Everything that is Linux and open source is different from the traditional software business models and Microsoft and Oracle are being forced to make strategic moves and draw alliances in the Linux space for fear of missing on this opportunity or losing more customers. As I look at Microsoft's approach towards open source and Linux, I'm reminded of the famous words of Ghandi: “First they ignore you, then they laugh at you, then they fight you, then you win.” While Microsoft previously ignored and laughed at open source publicly, they're not laughing any more. This is just another futile effort in their attempts to fight open source, which signals open source is one step closer to winning, which I'm confident it will do.

Isn't it just a war between Novell and Red Hat about enterprise licences?

hubi

Don't know. It's all about $pice, and you might be right, it's not just about getting market share from Red Hat, it might be the dream of using the Microsoft marketing machine to open totally new markets for Novell's SuSE.

hubi