This page permanently redirects to gemini://gemini.techrights.org/2007/09/23/novells-identity-crisis-makes-linux-an-expensive-second-class-windows/.

● 09.23.07

●● Novell’s Identity Crisis Makes Linux an Expensive Second-class Windows

Posted in GNU/Linux, Interoperability, Microsoft, Mono, Novell, Open XML at 3:27 pm by Dr. Roy Schestowitz

Previously, Shane talked about Novell’s mixed source identity crisis. Today, let’s focus on another aspect, which is Novell’s assimilation to Microsoft. This makes Linux an obedient, passive second-class citizen rather than a leader.

=> ↺ Novell’s mixed source identity crisis | ↺ second-class citizen | ↺ a leader

To reiterate some old (yet very important) points:

Fact: Novell hires .NET developersFact: Novell makes its Linux desktop more .NET-orientedFact: Miguel de Icaza, who heads the Mono project, acknowledges that patents are a concernFact: Miguel de Icaza, a Novell VP, opines that OOXML is a “superb standard”Fact: Novell gets access to Microsoft source code (visibility)Fact: Novell works on interoperability in isolation with MicrosoftFact: Novell perceives patent ‘protection’ as a competitive advantageFact: Novell implements Moonlight, which harms Linux by giving the illusion that Linux is fully supported (it is not)Fact: Novell’s implementation of an OOXML translator have assisted Microsoft’s fight against ODF policies in the United States and elsewhereFact: Novell’s exclusionary work on ‘interoperability’ has helped Microsoft escaped scrutiny in the EUFact: Novell’s exclusionary work on ‘interoperability’ has provided Microsoft with an excuse that helps them evade federal oversight in the USFact: Novell pays Microsoft for Linux and open source software. [Brad Smith, Microsoft:] But, as you’ll see in the press release it makes clear that on the patent side, we dealt with both of these sides of the equation. We dealt with the need for an up-front balancing payment, a balancing payment that runs from Microsoft to Novell, reflecting among other things the large relevant volume of the products that we have shipped. And you’ll see, as well, an economic commitment from Novell to Microsoft that involves a running royalty, a percentage of revenue on open source software shipped under the agreement

If you want Linux to stay Linux (as in “Linux is not Windows”), then do not choose Novell. Playing catch-up with Microsoft is the worst possible strategy. Paying Microsoft for Linux is a sin.

Share in other sites/networks: These icons link to social bookmarking sites where readers can share and discover new web pages.

Permalink  Send this to a friend

=> Permalink | ↺ Send this to a friend

=> Techrights

➮ Sharing is caring. Content is available under CC-BY-SA.