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Microsoft Acquires Novell('s Direction)

Want a job at Novell? Then learn some Microsoft.

Novell is not only giving up on tools which compete against Microsoft's [1, 2, 3, 4]. It actively embraces Microsoft's vision of technology and helps Microsoft in a variety of different ways. Those craving for a job at Novell (whose workforce is shrinking by the way) need to sharpen their .NET skills.



We are looking for people with experience in Linux, with experience building software from source code and good C# or Java skills. Experience with ASP.NET and ADO.NET is a plus.


It seems probable that Novell will recruit a Microsoft-sympathetic crowd, which will then change the social fabric and strategic inclinations of the company. Many of the GNU/Linux-faithful have already left Novell because of the deal with Microsoft. Those who are left are more willing to take orders -- so to speak -- from Redmond.

SJVN has just published an article where he rightly argues that Novell serves Microsoft better when it's isolated and therefore can approach Free software projects and communities. He concurs with our idea that Novell is becoming to Microsoft what Citrix already is (and no, we never suggested that Microsoft might buy Novell, but we referenced some "what if" Op-Eds).

Given a choice in the matter, Microsoft would happily bury Linux and open source in the IT trash-heap, but buying Novell wouldn't get them one whit closer to that goal. That's one of the reasons why Microsoft finds Linux so annoying. Unlike proprietary software companies, they can't simply crush or buy it out of existence. As soon as they smashed one open-source company, another would pop up with the exact same software.

So, for now, they'll work grudgingly with Novell, but buy Novell? It's just not going to happen. Now, if Microsoft 7, or Vista Mark Two as I'm beginning to think of it, flops as badly as Vista, then maybe Microsoft will start considering changing its way. So, talk to me again about Microsoft buying Novell, or here's a scary thought, Red Hat, in two years time and I might have a different answer. For now, though, Microsoft is getting what it wants from both Citrix and Novell without buying either one and that's more than good enough for the boys from Redmond.


What might happen at the end is still unknown, but one comment at Linux Today raises a likely possibility.

MS is just sitting back waiting until Novell relies on them to supply the bulk of their business...then they will extinguish them.


Until then, Novell's value (and thus market impact) will continue to diminish. As Joe Panettieri wrote yesterday: "Lack of integration — perceived or real — is costing NOVL business. A prime example: The VAR Guy knows of at least one major US broadband provider that is moving away from GroupWise and other NOVL offerings because the GroupWise releases have more features on Windows Server and fewer features on Novell’s own SUSE Linux.

"The broadband provider has decided to standardize on a complete Microsoft .Net environment with Exchange instead.

"In short, Novell has to become its own best ISV for SUSE Linux — fast."

Emphasis needs to be put on the word "own". Novell positioned itself for excessive reliance on Microsoft.

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