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Nov
13
Editorial: Novell and Microsoft’s deal. A Call to Action.
Filed Under Editorial, Linux Distributions, Microsoft, Novell, Novell/Microsoft, Uncategorized
Novell bit the hand that feeds it. The Novell/Microsoft announcement reminds me of the saying, “Communism is a great concept, on paper”. This deal sounds nice, especially to the uninformed. A kinder, gentler Microsoft had a hard look in the mirror, and using the words of Rodney King said, “Can’t we all just get along?”. They and Novell worked out a way to help Microsoft and Linux to work together. If you can’t beat them, join them. Microsoft loves its customers and recognized that they were using Linux. Why not join Novell and make it easier for their customers to use a competitor?
It was clear what Microsoft’s motivations were. They made a covenant to not sue any developer as long as you are, in their term, a “Non-Compensated Individual Hobbyist Developer”. Thanks! As long as I develop software and do not share it with anyone or receive compensation for it, Microsoft pledges not to sue me. Novell really has helped out the community with this deal! What they are saying is who they may sue, namely, anyone who creates Free Software not using the Microsoft approved channel. The implication is that there are patent violations, but we are left guessing as to what these are. This helps to create fear to companies who may have considered a switch to Linux. It looks to them that they can either run Novell’s Linux or possibly get sued.
If this was truly about partnership and acceptance of Linux, why from day one were lawsuits being discussed? Had this really been about making things easier for Novell and Microsoft’s customers–great. If this was Microsoft accepting Oasis OpenDocument text files, great. I don’t see that coming. Will the partnership solve the problem of running a virtual machine of Linux on Windows? Umm… that has been solved already. All I see as being accomplished is Novell gets some money and Microsoft tries to intimidate the community. Novell gets to portray itself as the safe choice, using FUD against other distributions. Microsoft manages to appear to hurt RedHat. They actually hurt Novell. They killed two birds with one dead bird. It is a hell of a deal for them.
Another discouraging sign was Novell saying they and Microsoft had found a way to circumvent the GPL. They do this by providing patent licenses directly to customers and not between the two companies. Nice. Novell is now looking for ways to circumvent the GPL.
The community was quick to divide on this news. This must have pleased Microsoft immensely. Their new partner gets damaged from the sense of shock and betrayal. People dismiss the legitimate concerns about the agreement as zealotry. Calls go out to boycott Novell, which will only push them further in this negative direction. Novell’s stock price gets a boost. Panic on Linux message boards ensues.
What can we do? We need to get aggressive about changing the patent system in the United States. There is a new look to congress, lets get our message to them. Here are some resources:
Click here for Free Information Technology Resources!- Here is an article by Brian Kahin that provides a good background on what he terms the “Software Patent Crisis”.
- Here is a petition you can sign against software patents.
- Here is another to do away with the Digital millennium Copyright Act.
- This is Richard Stallman’s advice.
- The Foundation for a Free Information Infrastructure has been effective, we could use their help here.
- Support the Free Software Foundation.
- It may sound quaint, but contact your congressman and get your opinion in their face. Here are some tips on how to do it.
- Contact TrueMajority and MoveOn to enlist their help. They make it easy to send letters to your congressman. Can we get them on board?
- Get a constructive dialog with Novell going. What patents are being protected? Why did they feel the need to circumvent the GPL?
- Support RedHat. We don’t win if RedHat goes down or gets bought by Oracle.
- Check out the Open Invetion Network.
- Drink !
Linux has made it. We are going through growing pains. We cannot just sit back and let Free Software get attacked. No one can take on the passion of our community. We will continue to evolve to face these threats. I will end this by quoting Lao Tzu, I think his words sum up our strength.
“All streams flow to the sea
because it is lower than they are.
Humility gives it its power.
If you want to govern the people,
you must place yourself below them.
If you want to lead the people,
you must learn how to follow them.
The Master is above the people,
and no one feels oppressed.
He goes ahead of the people,
and no one feels manipulated.
The whole world is grateful to him.
Because he competes with no one,
no one can compete with him.”
What do you think? Any other ideas? Am I wrong? Please leave a comment and let me know what you think.
Comments
2 Responses to “Editorial: Novell and Microsoft’s deal. A Call to Action.”
There are conservative and libertarian “contact your congresscritter” sites - It is about freedom, and although I would push the Democrats about retention, the Republicans are smarting from their defeat and it would be equally if not more effective to also tell their side of the aisle that their corporatism isn’t acceptable.
The GPL, like the Constitution of the United States is not democratic or republican.
It transcends the politics and the political argument.
There is actually one good news that arose from this MS-Novell deal…That is, in direct response, Sun has moved Java to GPL.
Other that that, I wouldn’t be caught dead with a Novell solution now.