ZDNet UK has an analystical 5-page coverage of the Novell/Microsoft deal and what it actually means as we glance ahead.

"Microsoft is emerging as the common denominator in multiple strategies for identity management, which is not completely altruistic and could have strategic benefits by putting it in a stronger position at the hub of identity management across several providers' product lines," Goulde says.

[...]

Interestingly, in the case of the Sun deal, the software giant was also happy to fork out significant amounts of money to seal the pact. Microsoft paid Sun $700m upfront to resolve anti-trust issues, a further $900m to lay various patent matters to rest and $350m in royalties. Sun also agreed to pay Microsoft royalties on an ongoing basis for including some of its technology in its servers.

All of this means, ironically, that Microsoft has now paid out large sums to help out two competitors at times in their lives when an injection of cash certainly hasn't gone amiss.

This confirms what we have said all along. Novell (executives?) were probably just paid to swallow the bait and gradually lead to Novell's unfortunate demise. SCO's dealings with Microsoft did them no favours either.