| Why Microsoft, Linux companies are now doing business |
Jun. 18, 2007
OK, so why have Novell, Xandros, and Linspire all gotten into bed with Microsoft? Is it...
- They were seduced by Steve Ballmer's charming smile?
- They've gone over to the dark side of the force?
- Terror of Microsoft's mighty patent portfolio had them groveling at Microsoft's feet?
- It actually makes business sense to give their customers some level of Microsoft software compatibility?
Before answering that one, let's ask the other question: Why is Microsoft getting all lovey-dovey with Linux companies? Is it...
- Bill Gates' love of penguin movies starting with The March of the Penguins to this year's Surf's Up?
- Darth Ballmer's realization that he can turn against his evil master of proprietary software?
- Microsoft's quaking in its boots of what Sun, Novell and IBM could do to it with their patent portfolios?
- It actually makes sense to develop some interoperability with Linux?
The answers? It's number 4 for both questions. Oh, and for Microsoft, it's also a chance to spread some patent lawsuit FUD. I mean this is Microsoft we're talking about, and at day's end, selling fear is part of what they do.
Bad news, though, for Microsoft. No one's buying the patent FUD.
To read the rest of Steven J. Vaughan-Nichols' Linux-Watch.com article, go here.
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