| Linux Information Project defends Novell-Microsoft pact |
Dec. 04, 2006
The non-profit Linux Information Project, whose duty, it says, it is "to provide high quality, comprehensive and easily accessible information about Linux and other free software," has published a treatise entitled "13 Reasons to Celebrate the New Microsoft-Novell Pact."
On Nov. 7, Novell revealed that it will receive an up-front payment of $348 million from Microsoft for SUSE Linux Enterprise Server subscription "certificates" and for patent cross-licensing in an unprecedented agreement between the world's largest proprietary software company and a first-tier Linux manufacturer.
Many open source advocates were appalled by news of the agreement, saying that Novell had "sold out" to commercial interests. Talk of a boycott against Novell products moved swiftly through the Internet.
"The recently announced agreement between Microsoft Corporation and Novell, Inc. has resulted in much concern that it could be harmful for Linux and other free software. However, the agreement itself, as well as its timing and comments made by Microsoft executives about it, may actually be a very good thing -- and perhaps even worthy of celebration!" the Linux Information Project says in the lead of its article.
What could the Project be thinking? Read their side of the story here.
Further background on the Novell/Microsoft deal
For lots more background and perspective on the historic Linux-oriented collaboration between Microsoft and one of the top Linux distribution vendors, read Linux-Watch.com's comprehensive special report, here.
(Click here for further information)
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