[Cialug] MSFT to partner with Novell

[Barry Von Ahsen]

the end is nigh!  repent!

-barry

>From Reuters:
"SEATTLE, Nov 2 (Reuters) - Microsoft Corp. MSFT Chief
Executive Steve Ballmer will make a major technology industry
announcement later on Thursday, the company said.
    A news conference will take place at 2 p.m. PST/2200 GMT in
San Francisco.  Microsoft did not disclose more details about
the content of the announcement."

14:04 11/02 *WSJ: Microsoft Entering Partnership With Novell - Sources >
14:07 11/02 *WSJ: Microsoft To Offer Sales Support For Novell System < >

By Robert A. Guth
Of THE WALL STREET JOURNAL
  Microsoft Corp. (MSFT) is entering an unusual partnership with Novell Inc.
(NOVL) that gives a boost to the Linux operating system, a rival to the
software giant's Windows software, people familiar with the companies told
The
Wall Street Journal Thursday.
  Under the pact, which isn't final, Microsoft will offer sales support of
Suse
Linux, a version of the operating system sold by Novell. The two companies
have
also agreed to develop technologies to make it easier for users to run both
Suse Linux and Microsoft's Windows on their computers. The two companies are
expected to announce details of their plan Thursday at a press conference in
San Francisco.
  In addition, Microsoft won't assert rights over patents over software
technology that may be incorporated into Suse Linux, the people said.
Businesses that use Linux have long worried that Microsoft would one day
file
patent infringement suits against sellers of the rival software.
  (This story and related background material will be available on The Wall
Street Journal Web site, WSJ.com.)
  The pact marks an unusual level of cooperation between two longtime
rivals.
Microsoft has been battling all versions of Linux, but has faced pressure to
assure that customers can run both Windows and Linux without problems.
  By forging a peace pact with one seller of Linux, Microsoft could raise
pressure on Red Hat Inc. (RHAT), the leading provider of Linux, and a Novell
rival. Last week, Oracle Corp. (ORCL) announced that it would start selling
its
own support for Red Hat's version of Linux, a plan that undercuts Red Hat's
own
business, which is based on providing support and maintenance. Red Hat's
shares
fell sharply after that announcement.
  Novell, originally known for a network operating system called NetWare,
has
also scrapped with Microsoft over sales of desktop application programs
after
Novell bought Wordperfect Corp. and rights to the Quattro Pro spreadsheet
for
more than $1.4 billion. Partly because of stiff competition from Microsoft,
Novell later sold those products for about $170 million; it filed an
antitrust
suit in 2004 against Microsoft, seeking damages related to the tactics
Microsoft used in the applications-software market.
  Microsoft Chief Executive Steve Ballmer is in San Francisco to announce
the
pact. Spokesmen for Microsoft and Novell couldn't be reached for comment.




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