Microsoft, Novell, and Dell?

[oz]

Now it looks like Dell is working toward becoming involved in the Microsoft-Novell deal:

http://www.forbes.com/technology/200..._0507dell.html

[MikeTbob]

This whole thing stinks to me, I don't trust none of these companies when it comes to Linux, OSS or the GPL. I can't think through all the ramifications but somewhere down the road, this is going to bite us Linux users right on the ass. The M$/Novell deal was scary, now this. Seems like everyday, Linux is just a little bit more commercialized. I think the future of Linux just got a bit darker. Of course I'm a pessimist! =-}

[cousinlucky]

Two cents from an old man, please!!

Greed is indeed an extreme motivator. Like an overactive ego it can blind and obliterate every decent part of anyone. " Cornering the Market " is not a new concept.

On the other side of the coin however: there eventually should be enough disgust with this obvious corporate greed to set off many knowledgable Linux enthusiasts into seeking ways to keep the Linux community independent.

If I ever hit the Megamillions Jackpot; perhaps I can entice, and pay, some LinuxForum members to come up with something to permanately combat the Corporate Vultures.

[benjamin20]

its not that big of a deal. you are making it sound like they are conspiring. while that may slightly be true, i think the main reason they are doing this is the "not sue each other" thing. the software world is terribly sue happy. so one more guy saying they are your friend is one less person you have to watch.

[jens]

its not that big of a deal. you are making it sound like they are conspiring. while that may slightly be true, i think the main reason they are doing this is the "not sue each other" thing. the software world is terribly sue happy. so one more guy saying they are your friend is one less person you have to watch.

... ?
That "not sue each other" agreement has always been the main concern with the whole Microsoft/Novell deal.

If this is indeed their main motivation (they do mention it in their announcement), that is a big deal.

Screw Dell.

PS: Does anyone need a laptop?
I have a Dell for sale.

[smolloy]

Sony puts a rootkit on their CD that open a backdoor into your computer, results in one of the largest hacks in history, and in some cases required an OS reinstall to fix. This leads to no law suits against them, no complaints, nobody gets upset, and their market share remains as strong as ever.

But now we're getting upset cos Dell struck a deal, which *may*, *possibly*, be bad for linux (despite the GPL being a well written legal document that is *extremely* hard to circumvent, and despite Dell being one of the few computer manufacturers to offer linux preinstalled)?

There's nothing to worry about here. Keep your laptop (selling it wouldn't hurt Dell anyway). Look to the recent Digg revolt for an example of the tech-community coming together to thwart commercial interests.

[jens]

Sony puts a rootkit on their CD that open a backdoor into your computer, results in one of the largest hacks in history, and in some cases required an OS reinstall to fix. This leads to no law suits against them, no complaints, nobody gets upset, and their market share remains as strong as ever.

But now we're getting upset cos Dell struck a deal, which *may*, *possibly*, be bad for linux (despite the GPL being a well written legal document that is *extremely* hard to circumvent, and despite Dell being one of the few computer manufacturers to offer linux preinstalled)?

There's nothing to worry about here. Keep your laptop (selling it wouldn't hurt Dell anyway). Look to the recent Digg revolt for an example of the tech-community coming together to thwart commercial interests.

That doesn't make sense.

DRM has nothing to with this (and their actually was a copyright lawsuit against Sony's rootkit. Apparently Sony was stupid enough to use both LGPL and GPL code with their rootkit thingy).

The problem with DRM is a lot more complicated and has absolutely nothing to do with this Dell/Microsoft/Novell patent deal (both are addressed in the 3th GPLv3 draft though). They're two completely unrelated issues, so I don't really understand why your bringing DRM up.

Dell is trowing away all credit they ever got for distributing GNU/Linux

PS: If Dell and Novell agree that their's nothing to worry about, why making this patent pact in the first place?
I also wonder how Redhat will react since they deal with Dell as well.

[smolloy]

They're two completely unrelated issues, so I don't really understand why your bringing DRM up.

Sorry, I should have explained myself better.

I know DRM has little to do with the Dell/MS/Novell deal. What I was saying was that what Sony did was unarguably, undebatably bad, yet it had no effect whatsoever on their market share. Personally, I heard very few people get upset about it.

Compare this with the news that Dell is getting in on the MS/Novell deal -- something which might be bad news, but probably isn't since linux is well protected by a very strong licence (the GPL) -- and the fact that people seem to be getting so upset as to be considering boycotting Dell (even before it's apparent anything bad will come of it).

My point -- relax. The GPL is a strong legal document. Don't get your blood pressure up over something that doesn't matter. Don't go to the expense of getting a new laptop just cos of this. There are more important things to worry about.

[jens]

My point -- relax.

Point taken

The GPL is a strong legal document. Don't get your blood pressure up over something that doesn't matter.

I don't doubt GPLv3 will be indeed a very good License (most holes from v2 are already addressed). It still needs to be approved by a lot more people (and not just Linus) to fully protect Free Software though.
My main concern is that deals like this will create even more FUD to avoid that...

[carlosponti]

According to the original intent of the Novell Microsoft deal it was to create interoperability between windows and Linux. Dell's Position I think is to create an environment for both systems, however with Microsoft's claims of IP over Linux who knows what will come of that. the IP rights they might only claim are based on technology they once stole from Unix, they tried stating they could sue. Dell is still planning on running with installation of Ubuntu on consumer PC's along side windows. they are working with Novell with the intent to use Suse and still Red Hat on the business machines and servers. If Microsoft's real intent was to stop Linux and their claims were true they could sue any Corporation they wanted to but they don't. the reason why is that they know they don't have any claims. Besides it will not have been the first time Steve Balmer was talking out his hind end with no real understanding of what the corporation as a whole was actually doing.