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Dell Partners with MS/Novell for Linux Servers 193

untouchableForce writes "Dell has announced that it will join forces with Microsoft and Novell to "make it easier for the Windows operating system and the [...] Linux [operating] system to work together." This is not overly surprising given Dell's good relationship with Microsoft, and since they already sell SUSE Linux on some of their servers, but it is likely to put a stop to the OSS community's celebration of them distributing Ubuntu. The debate over partnership between Microsoft and Novell has been drawn out since the deal was signed and for some this will add additional fuel to the fire but shouldn't the OSS community be reading this as an acceptance of Company's acknowledgment of Linux?"
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Dell Partners with MS/Novell for Linux Servers

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  • by 8127972 ( 73495 ) on Monday May 07, 2007 @09:57AM (#19020217)
    .... Likely limits the chances of Dell being sued because of some sort of IP related issue. These days, it's all about covering your A**.
    • by Penguinisto ( 415985 ) on Monday May 07, 2007 @10:01AM (#19020263) Journal
      Indeed - I see it as a major step towards Dell selling Linux on a larger scale.

      OTOH, I sincerely hope this isn't going to become a pattern, where MSFT makes bank every time an OEM moved towards Linux. Something about it just seems plain wrong, and looks like an admission of guilt towards a contention that probably does not exist (the assertion of MSFT somehow owning IP to Linux or OS tech).

      /P

      • by marcosdumay ( 620877 ) <marcosdumay AT gmail DOT com> on Monday May 07, 2007 @10:18AM (#19020411) Homepage Journal

        I do have a problem with Microsoft getting something for every PC sold with Linux. But, that said, it is a much better situation than every PC comming with Windows.

        • I do have a problem with Microsoft getting something for every PC sold with Linux.

          Well, me too. But the problem is the US legal system, really - note that Fraunhofer, Alcatel and likely Novell and IBM make money from every Windows PC sold. Merely as a simple consequence of the current patent system. Blame the legislators and those that lobbied for it (which includes Microsoft, of course).

          Anyhow, the real issue is that Microsoft see Linux as a rising force in the industry. They are therefore moving to p

        • I tend to think of it this way... they are getting maybe 1% of what they would receieve shoud that have actually been a Windows machine. Bt also, you are getting people used to a new system and off the crack rock that is Windows. That in the long term has an even greater loss for them.
      • ...towards a contention that probably does not exist (the assertion of MSFT somehow owning IP to Linux or OS tech).

        Given that Ubuntu includes Mono by default, I'm almost certain it does include patented Microsoft technology. Does anyone seriously doubt that?

        • There is lots of controversy regarding mono. To ask if anyone doubts if mono infringes indicates you've already made up your mind. I don't see where they have infringed. Could you be specific? Or are you just paranoid?
      • by IGnatius T Foobar ( 4328 ) on Monday May 07, 2007 @11:11AM (#19021109) Homepage Journal

        OTOH, I sincerely hope this isn't going to become a pattern, where MSFT makes bank every time an OEM moved towards Linux.
        In conventional terms, this is known as a "protection racket" and it is quite illegal. Not that the law ever stopped Microsoft before...
      • In fact, this will force other companies to load Linux. I would not be surprised to see more of these showing up in Best Buy, CompUSA, etc.
    • by mhall119 ( 1035984 ) on Monday May 07, 2007 @10:25AM (#19020483) Homepage Journal
      I have added this concern to Dell's Ideastorm.

      http://www.ideastorm.com/article/show/67008/Dont_i mply_Microsoft_IP_in_Linux [ideastorm.com]

      Anyone concerned about Dell's involvement in this MS/Novell pact should promote and comment on it.
      • Re: (Score:3, Interesting)

        by Locutus ( 9039 )
        did you ever think that the Ubuntu deal was done specifically to get a better price on the Microsoft/Novell deal? I've been asking myself why/how Dell could be doing the Ubuntu deal without threatening it's massive cash flow coming from Microsoft in co-branding and marketing contracts. That cash has been said to make up over 20% of Dell's profits and Dell can't afford to lose 20% of its profits.

        So could it be that much like how Dell kept playing AMD against Intel for 4 or 5 years to get great pricing and ki
        • I see how you might come to that conclusion at first, but looking more into it, this seems more like something that caught them by surprise. Dell knew there was some demand for Linux desktops, but they were probably thinking about business workstations using the Novell or Red Hat varieties, or their counterparts OpenSuse and Fedora. I think the demand for home desktops with Linux, and Ubuntu specifically, was unexpected and is probably what caused Michael Dell to get it on a laptop.

          In the end, if this was
      • I just demotes your little rant. I didn't do it because I have anything against you but because it is completely factually wrong and continues to spread FUD.

        First, Novel has never implied that linux contains Microsoft's IP. In fact, they have specifically stated that they aren't aware of any infringements and the entire patents arrangement came as an offering from Microsoft. They also have specifically stated that discussion of IP in linux never came about during their deal.

        Second, the sales of MS windows l
        • I just demotes your little rant. I didn't do it because I have anything against you but because it is completely factually wrong and continues to spread FUD.

          Ok, fair enough. Though I would have preferred you post your objections to the Ideastorm article so that the objections could be noted and explained (as I am about to do) for others to read before voting on it.

          First, Novel has never implied that linux contains Microsoft's IP. In fact, they have specifically stated that they aren't aware of any infringe

          • I didn't post into Dell's idea storm for several reasons. Two of which are the fact that you were promoting you post here and there are enough people here to correct me if I am wrong without being some anti-anti whatever without actual facts. I'm comfortable with the process and people here. The other reason is because I don't want to give the anti linux trolls on the Idea storm any ammunition on their site. It seems to hurt a lot of people's feelings when linux turned out to be so popular there.

            Indeed, if

            • You may not convey a covered work if you are a party to an arrangement with a third party that is in the business of distributing software, under which you make payment to the third party based on the extent of your activity of conveying the work, and under which the third party grants, to any of the parties who would receive the covered work from you, a patent license

              Now I am not a lawyer, and if you are I will concede the point to you, but this reads to me as saying that you cannot distribute a GPLv3 prog

              • Now I am not a lawyer, and if you are I will concede the point to you, but this reads to me as saying that you cannot distribute a GPLv3 program if that program requires royalties or a patent license. There isn't an all or nothing clause that would stop them from distribution any GPLv3 software, only what is covered by the patent. This only means that if Novell adds code to, say, Mono that requires a Microsoft patent license, then they cannot distribute Mono under GPLv3. However, they can still distribute

                • Corrected link: http://gplv3.fsf.org/gpl-draft-2007-03-28.html [fsf.org]

                  Ok, I went back and read the 3rd draft. I still think you're reading it wrong:

                  You may not convey a covered work if you are a party to an arrangement with a third party that is in the business of distributing software, under which you make payment to the third party based on the extent of your activity of conveying the work,

                  This clearly limits "a covered work" to only those in which you are a party to an agreement requiring royalties or patent li

                  • Ok, I went back and read the 3rd draft. I still think you're reading it wrong:

                    If I am, then a lot of other people are too. Here is just one of my conversations over this. Follow the discusion down to Bruce Perens and mine [slashdot.org]. It gives the express implication of this. Bruce Perens specifically states, The new GPL3 provision says that if you arrange to protect any party from patents regarding the software, that protection has to apply to everyone. The problem is, Dell is doing just this by selling the Novell-

                    • Ok, read all three links, but still I think you're wrong.

                      The new GPL3 provision says that if you arrange to protect any party from patents regarding the software, that protection has to apply to everyone.

                      Again, that seems to only implicate code licensed under the GPLv3 that is covered by that patent protection. You don't have to give patent protection to all GPLv3 software, just the ones you claim contain your patent. So if Microsoft gives Novell patent protection on, using your example, MS Exchange proto

    • by Scarblac ( 122480 ) <slashdot@gerlich.nl> on Monday May 07, 2007 @11:03AM (#19020979) Homepage

      Exactly the opposite - if they're suggesting they need a patent deal like this to be allowed to distribute Linux, then they are not allowed to distribute it - see the GPL (For example, if a patent license would not permit royalty-free redistribution of the Program by all those who receive copies directly or indirectly through you, then the only way you could satisfy both it and this License would be to refrain entirely from distribution of the Program).

      It would open them up to GPL violation law suits.

      • by mgiuca ( 1040724 )
        I don't understand this. When Novell signed their souls to MS last year, there were cries from the masses of "GPLv2 Section 7!" Somehow, it was determined (by Eben Moglen, at that time the EFF lawyer) that the deal in fact was not in violation of the section you just quoted.

        As I said, I don't understand how it isn't in violation (and I'd like to see someone explain it). But apparently it isn't.
  • Oy Carumba (Score:5, Funny)

    by WrongSizeGlass ( 838941 ) on Monday May 07, 2007 @09:58AM (#19020229)

    shouldn't the OSS community be reading this as an acceptance of Company's acknowledgment of Linux?
    I suppose an OpenSource deal with the Devil is still an OpenSource deal, so why look a gift horse in the mouth (even if it is one of the four horses of the apocalypse)?
    • Re:Oy Carumba (Score:4, Insightful)

      by darth_linux ( 778182 ) on Monday May 07, 2007 @10:07AM (#19020321) Homepage
      i agree about the four horses part. M$ doesnt want to embrase linux as much as they want to extinguish. as someone else pointed out, they eventually want to make people think they (or novell by partnership) are the only ligitimate linux distributors and all others are unofficial/unsupported. I can see the add: "free linux distros come and go. run and you risk being left with out tech support. we're M$ and we're your linux source."
      • by DogDude ( 805747 )
        they eventually want to make people think they (or novell by partnership) are the only ligitimate linux distributors and all others are unofficial/unsupported.

        Well, actually the ARE the only distribution that will be officially supported by MS to work with Windows. If Linux ever takes off in a big way, then I would bet a large amount of money that Novell/MS is going to be the industry standard for Linux for that reason, alone.
        • by fwarren ( 579763 )
          If I had the points, I would mod you up.

          Even if the IP thing is a red hearing, even if Microsoft meant it, and it is now pretty much tossed out by the Supreme Court. Novell having a deal with Microsoft AND now being the only official version of linux to work with Microsoft products AND now having DELL load SUSE on servers. I would say Microsoft has finally found a way to survive in a linux world.

          As long as Novel and Microsoft has a deal, Microsoft provides support and the big boys DELL/HP only sell servers
    • ....so why look a gift horse in the mouth (even if it is one of the four horses of the apocalypse)?
      Because it probably has apocalyptically bad breath?
  • Bill the Borg (Score:2, Interesting)

    by Anonymous Coward
    from CNet article [com.com]

    Dell will also establish a services and marketing program to migrate existing Linux users who are not Dell Linux customers [com.com] to Suse Linux, Microsoft said.


    Embrace and extend.
    • Dell has agreed to buy Suse Linux Enterprise Server certificates from Microsoft
      SUSE has become MS Linux. Thanks a lot, Novell.
      • Oh grow up. (Score:3, Interesting)


        GP: Dell has agreed to buy Suse Linux Enterprise Server certificates from Microsoft

        P: SUSE has become MS Linux. Thanks a lot, Novell.

        That's the way business works in the real world.

        You subcontract to a subcontractor who subcontracts to a sub-subcontractor who subcontracts to a sub-sub-subcontractor who subcontracts to... until eventually the circle is completed and someone subcontracts the final assembly to a different division within your very own company.

        If you really want your precious little GP
        • If you really want your precious little GPLv2'd operating system to come down out of the ivory tower and make a run for it in the real world, then you're going to have to get your hands dirty with this thing called "The Free Market".

          Microsoft doesn't seem to think that linux is "little," and neither does Novell. If they did, they wouldn't have spent so much legal time trying to find a way to circumvent the GPL terms meant to preserve the integrity of the community system in which linux and the applications

      • On Digital Majority [slashdot.org]: ...If Dell announce that they will support Novell/SuSE, rather than the obviously more popular choice of Ubuntu, they will be expressing Redmond's preference, not that of their surveyed public. If Dell support Novell/SuSE, they do it with Microsoft's blessing, and this will be a second step towards a MS-Linux. The first step was, of course, Microsoft's deal with Novell.
    • Dell will also establish a services and marketing program to migrate existing Linux users who are not Dell Linux customers to Suse Linux, Microsoft said.

      Too bad for them.

      I am a senior admin at a data center which is home to thousands of Dell servers, many of which run Linux. Our standard Linux build uses CentOS [centos.org] and therefore we order the machines with "no operating system installed." If Dell approaches us and tells us that they're going to forcibly move us over to Microsoft Linux (aka Novell/Ximian/SuS

  • Good news (Score:4, Interesting)

    by flyingfsck ( 986395 ) on Monday May 07, 2007 @10:09AM (#19020343)
    The MS Active Directory system and Exchange is what keeps MS shops locked in. Lately, the Active Directory integration has improved with new wizards from Redhat and Mandriva, but the Exchange front still sucks.
    • It is early days, but the openchange project is looking to change this.
      Also samba 4 should be a vast improvement AD wise.
    • I was talking 2 an Exchange sys admin. He told me 50K for a user license. Since you need 4-5 instances for a reasonable size company... 250K per year. That's just the user license. Support is extra as is the OS. What a racket. It resemebles the Unix companies in the 90s.
  • by csoto ( 220540 ) on Monday May 07, 2007 @10:20AM (#19020435)
    It used to be like pulling teeth to get anywhere next to current drivers and software for Linux, but over the last few years, it's just as good as Windows. Man, it sucked to have to boot a server in Windows or visit it with a USB floppy drive in order to update firmware. I see this move as a good thing. Dell realizes they sell more boxes with better Windows AND Linux support than with good support for just one of these...
  • by zCyl ( 14362 ) on Monday May 07, 2007 @10:21AM (#19020451)
    Something still doesn't make sense in this cluster of partnerships.

    Microsoft said it would offer corporate customers a chance to license its Windows operating system as part of a package that includes maintenance and support for Novell's Suse Linux platform.

    This strikes me as a strange statement. This is like offering a chance to lease a Ford with every Honda maintenance.

    I get that Dell might see patent immunity as an advantage, but if Microsoft gives patent immunity to everyone, then this contradicts the proposed strategy of using patents as a weapon. Giving patent immunity to Novell was simply an empty gesture, of course. But if cards fall right Dell could actually become a substantial distributer of preinstalled Linux systems. With too many of these deals, patents can no longer be used against Linux, contradicting a plan Microsoft had stated a desire for for some time.

    While patent immunity for Linux installations is a good result, I'm not primed to expect good results from Microsoft after a history of them not acting in such a manner. So I am still left wondering what is going on behind the scenes here.
    • Re: (Score:3, Interesting)

      Life is strange, and these are "interesting times", for sure, but in terms of what is really going on [zdnet.co.uk], I suspect there might just be other sharks circling in these waters and creating a little bit of turbulence:

      As a result, even though the two companies have spent the last decade battling each other, Novell's chief executive Ronald Hovsepian found it in himself to approach a contact at Microsoft last year, after a boardroom shake-up in June 2006 saw him replace then incumbent, Jack Messman.

      Hovsepian's ai

  • No. (Score:4, Insightful)

    by RLiegh ( 247921 ) * on Monday May 07, 2007 @10:25AM (#19020485) Homepage Journal
    This should be read as the first nail in the coffin of linux. There is no way that MS will let any other distribution but suse exist; and only then for as long as it takes to kill off ubuntu, etc.

    Killing the open document format, getting linux pushed off the OLPC project and off of Dell...these should all be seen as signs that Microsoft is serious about eliminating Linux (and Free Software) with extreme prejudice.

    Any win for Novell is a loss for Free Software; particularly in this case.
    • Re: (Score:3, Interesting)

      by apokryphos ( 869208 )
      Your statements show such an ignorance of Novell's history and works that I barely know where to start. If you'd stop fuming for a second from your irrational Novell and Microsoft hate campaign, you would head around to a few facts:
      * Microsoft has explicitly mentioned that its deal with Novell is not exclusive
      * Novell has done more for OSS over the years than you can possibly imagine; do a little Googling. They're still the biggest contributors to GNOME and KDE, and pipe incredibly significant development
    • Re:No. (Score:5, Insightful)

      by nine-times ( 778537 ) <nine.times@gmail.com> on Monday May 07, 2007 @11:15AM (#19021183) Homepage

      There is no way that MS will let any other distribution but suse exist

      There is no way for MS to stop other distributions from existing.

    • This should be read as the first nail in the coffin of linux. There is no way that MS will let any other distribution but suse exist; and only then for as long as it takes to kill off ubuntu, etc.

      And pray tell, how will this kill off Linux? There's just no way MS can kill linux. They may, just may, gain control over one of the distros but there are many others. Hell even Larry Elison's company Oracle is releasing thier own compleat servers with software, the OS being based on Redhat. If Balmer and/or

  • by saterdaies ( 842986 ) on Monday May 07, 2007 @10:28AM (#19020513)
    In the world, there are many companies who like the idea of Linux and love its cost, but do worry about compatibility issues. Those companies get all warm and fuzzy inside when they hear news releases like this because they think "oh, someone is making sure that isn't a problem".

    Whether it is a problem or not, IT people at companies often like the path of least resistance (don't we all) and so paying a little money for something they have to worry less about it a good thing to them.

    I don't like Novell cozying up to M$ any more than anyone on /., but I understand why they're doing it - they're customers want compatibility guarantees and protection from IP disputes. The only real way to break ourselves of deals like this is with legislation for open-standards and IP-law reform. Those two would mean that companies using Linux would have no fear about using the OS - even if those fears today are simply in their heads.
    • "I don't like Novell cozying up to M$ any more than anyone on /., but I understand why they're doing it - they're customers want compatibility guarantees and protection from IP disputes."

      IMO, you are helping Novell out by repeating this myth. The main reason why Novell sold everyone out is because they were cash strapped. Novell was in serious debt, and that $350 Million from Microsoft offered them a way out.

      Anything they said about customers was just at best secondary, and likely just a convenient excu

      • One thing that you'll always hear about Novell is that they're NOT in debt. They're revenue is falling, yes, but even with some of the financial hijinks they've pulled recently, they still have a lot of cash [google.com] and very little debt. It used to be no debt when they were a Utah company with a eerily Mormon philosophy of not having any debt.

        • Here ya go. This is just one of the links from that time. The google search was trivial:

          http://www.linux-watch.com/news/NS7235986827.html [linux-watch.com]

          Note the following:

          "Novell, it appears, may need those funds. This news comes just one day following rumors, still unconfirmed by Novell, that the Linux company had laid off some employees. In addition, Novell announced on Nov. 6, for the third time, that it was extending its deadline to get the holders of its Convertible Senior Debentures to not demand immediate payment o
  • by jkrise ( 535370 ) on Monday May 07, 2007 @10:36AM (#19020591) Journal
    From TFA:
    On Sunday, Microsoft and Novell said Dell has agreed to buy Suse Linux Enterprise Server certificates from Microsoft and that the computer maker will set up a services and marketing program aimed at getting users of open-source platforms to switch to the new Suse Linux offering.

    "Dell is the first major systems provider to align with Microsoft and Novell in this collaboration, and we intend to lead in this space," Rick Becker, a vice president in Dell's product group, said in a statement.

    The pact between Microsoft and Novell is primarily aimed at the growing number of major companies and government agencies that rely on both Redmond, Wash.-based Microsoft's patent-protected Windows and Novell's open-source Linux platform to run their computers....


    Home PCs will still likely run Ubuntu.
    There's hardly any point running Enterprise Servers (which is nothing but marketing speak, anyway) in one's Home PC.
    And nothing can prevent corporates from installing Dell's Ubuntu-based Home offerings in company networks.
  • So I was all geared up to buy a Dell system preloaded with Linux.. Then they go and jump into bed with Microsoft.

    So do we support linux and continue to support Dell? or do we shun them and kill off any hopes for pre-installed Linux?

    I say screw em.. Linux will make it to the desktop eventually.
    • by Hatta ( 162192 )
      Now you build your own machine and put whatever distribution of linux you want on it. Why the hell is preinstallation so important?
      • Now you build your own machine and put whatever distribution of linux you want on it. Why the hell is preinstallation so important?

        Because, unlike the average /.er, most people don't install an OS, they buy a computer with an OS already installed. They just want to get it home, plug it in, and boot it up then use it. Unless and until Linux promoters understand this Linux will never have much of a market share for the desktop.

        Falcon
    • You could grow up and just buy whatever works rather than getting mired down into mixing religion/politics with your technology choices. Just a thought.
    • by Locutus ( 9039 )
      I hate to be the one to bring the bad news but Dell has been "in bed" with Microsoft for a VERY long time. It has been stated that Microsoft funnels back to Dell as much as 20% of Dells profits because Dell plasters the Microsoft logo and other advertising all over it's PC's, website, and shipping cases.

      the question you should be asking is how good of a bedfellow has Dell been these days and what has been the pillowtalk more recently. Especially with the Ubuntu/Canonical deal and now this Microsoft/Novell/S
    • Ron Paul in '08 - A true small government republican

      Ron Paul gets my vote, again. I'm registered no party affiliation now but when the primaries roll around I'll switch to Republican just so I can vote for him then, then I'll switch back afterwards.

      Falcon
  • You were just about to score a MAJOR open source gig with the ubuntu thing, not only making you a pioneer in a new field of linux on mass market desktops, but also endearing you to the ominously large developer community that works on open source.

    do not just scratch all your gains with one stupid deal with microsoft/novell misfortune. even novell regret it since 2 days after they signed it.
  • by rs232 ( 849320 ) on Monday May 07, 2007 @11:01AM (#19020941)
    'Microsoft is purchasing and redistributing [nwsource.com] Suse Linux Enterprise Server certificates under the deal'

    So basically certain companies are paying Microsoft to use their own SuSE software. What Novell are doing is legitimizing MS claim to Linix IP rights. A precident of gigantic and enormous consequences. Novell basically gave away their business under vague threats of IP violations. I can see what Microsoft got out of the deal, but I can't for the life of me see what Novell gets out of it.

    An analogy, I'm the CIO of Corleone olive oil business and out of the blue the New Jersey Mob phones me up and say I am violating their patented recipe . But they say, lets do a deal, we'll promise not to sue and give you the rights to continue to distribute our patented recipe and in return we'll purchase 'certificates' to distribute Corleone olive oil.

    Next thing I know people are ringing me up asking why they should be paying me for New Jersey olive oil. Before ya know it I am out of the olive oil business. The Jersey crew offer to buy out my business at a rock bottom price and to let me stay on as CEO, if I don't go squealing to the the FEDs. Years later people would ask me why I gave away the family business to a shister extortionist - without raising a finger.
    • Novell is going to own the most popular Linux distribution in a few years. That's not too shabby of a deal. I fail to see what you're failing to see about this deal. Novel/SUSE becomes the only version of Linux that MS officially supports to work with Windows, SUSE becomes the most popular distribution used in commercial settings by a large margin, and Novell laughs all the way to the bank.
      • by rs232 ( 849320 )
        'Novell is going to own the most popular Linux distribution in a few years. That's not too shabby of a deal. I fail to see what you're failing to see about this deal'

        NovelSOFT Linux is *NOT* Open Source. Tell us precisely what Novell got out of the deal. MS and Novell exchange paper and MS gets NOVL to agree that NOVL is violating MS intelluctual property in Linux.

        'Novel/SUSE becomes the only version of Linux that MS officially supports to work with Windows'

        Exactly, easier to crack the one chesnu
      • Novel/SUSE becomes the only version of Linux that MS officially supports to work with Windows

        However MS has publically stated it will make similar agreements with other Linux venders.

        Falcon
    • "What Novell are doing is legitimizing MS claim to Linix IP rights."

      Not exactly. What Novell are doing are giving an unproven hint at some vague possibility that MS may have some IP claim over Linux. The only thing that could legitimise MS's claims over IP is for MS to explicitly state which parts of Linux are infringing and provide proof of infringement.

      Until they do this their claims are at best FUD and at worst an act of fraud. In the UK at least, there's a criminal charge of obtaining funds by deception
    • remember, Novell did not even know anything about Microsofts IP stuff until very late( last minute ) in the negotiations. Novell thought it was all about existing patent claims they had against Microsoft and thought they were going to be getting interoperability between MS Windows and Novell Suse at the middleware and virtualization levels.

      The patent protection claims were added last minute and we now know they were the actual target for the deal for Microsoft. What's this called, "the bait and switch" rack
  • Okay. So it's news. Someone else has officially jumped into the plutonium-laced hot tub built by MS & Novell. But folks, Dell has been a Microsoft shill for so long that this really isn't that surprising. The only aspect of this story whose betting outcome was in doubt until now was how long before they joined it.

    Meanwhile, be sure not to use breakpoints or linked lists unless you're running on Dell hardware, or running an operating system from Microsoft or Novell. Especially now that you know that ther
  • Read the article - This deal affects Suse Linux Enterprise Server. This is no surprise; Microsoft has acknowleged that Linux has market strength on servers, and knows it must coesist with Linux in that space. MS, however, would not support adoption of Linux on desktops, which this deal doesn't address. No one can know for sure, but if Dell still has any intention of addressing the desktop Linux market demand, they may still use Ubuntu to do this independent of this MS/Novell deal.
  • That's one way to avoid pissing off Mr. Gates: insure he wins no matter what. Which is pretty-much his business philosophy.
  • In all these Dell linux announcements, has anyone heard anything about Ubuntu becoming a supported configuration for Dell servers? (Supported by Dell, I mean.)

  • I'm happy to scrape off whatever OS they installed, and install Ubuntu myself. Especially because you know Dell would just find some way to crap it up anyway, so even if they do install Ubuntu, I'm not using their install.
  • ...but it is likely to put a stop to the OSS community's celebration of them distributing Ubuntu.
    The OSS community is celebrating the fact that a Linux distro is getting commercial recognition, I dunno why this would stop it. Were there people in the OSS community celebrating because they really thought that Dell would stop distributing Windows all together??

    Jeez, I hope nobody was that dense.
  • irrelevant to anybody with a brain (which leaves out the FSF fanatics, of course), this Dell deal is irrelevant to anything as well - except possibly that it might indicate Dell is more interested in distributing Linux than it was previously.

    OTOH, as others have suggested, it may simply be that Microsoft made noises at Dell about the Ubuntu deal, so Dell's lawyers came up with a way to blunt that somewhat.

    In the end, it's all corporate bullshit and means nothing to anybody else.

    "Dude, you bought a Dell" (wi
  • by mgiuca ( 1040724 ) on Tuesday May 08, 2007 @06:04AM (#19033683)
    "Novell's open-source Linux platform".

    This article gives the reader the distinct impression (read: presents as fact) that Linux is a program created by Novell. In fact it distinctly hints at the fact that there are in fact two operating systems in existence: Microsoft Windows and Novell Linux.

    It's a good thing those two are finally working together to make the world a better place. For great justice.

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