01.13.12
Microsoft Uses Proxies to Control and Tax Linux
Summary: Novell, Tuxera, and other firms with Microsoft connections do their usual things
David Chernicoff claims “datacenter win” for Microsoft Linux because Dell has once again disappointed us, having previously "joined" the Microsoft/Novell deal. Reports about this are numerous and the Microsoft tax on GNU/Linux is celebrated by this press release. Remember that SUSE is now pretty much sponsored by Microsoft to help Microsoft put a tax on GNU/Linux server deployments. To quote one article (by Vangie Beal):
SUSE Linux Enterprise offers users a broad application portfolio as well as optimization with the VMware cloud infrastructure suite.
“SUSE Linux Enterprise Server is optimized for the VMware vCloud architecture. An integrated partnership with Dell ensures customers receive streamlined support as they manage workloads across public and private cloud infrastructure,” said SUSE in its news announcement.
Now, Dell customers can efficiently run a wide range of ISV applications, on demand with maximum performance, while receiving streamlined support from Dell and SUSE across the Dell public and private cloud offerings.
There is another vector of Microsoft tax on Linux, especially in the devices space (Microsoft uses SUSE on the server space and Android tax for mobile). It’s called Tuxera and it carries on promoting its Microsoft tax on Linux with another new press release that says:
A typical NAS system runs off-the-shelf Linux software stack with standard open source file systems. As the well-recognized open source file system leader, Tuxera has partnered with NAS chipset manufacturers to integrate and optimize its proprietary and enhanced commercial file system technology into the devices. Tuxera’s comprehensive NAS offering for OEMs includes high-performance, chipset-optimized Tuxera XFS for the main storage and Tuxera NTFS and HFS+ file systems for external, portable storages.
We are still working to see if there is a GPL violation there. Speaking of the GPL, Microsoft’s ‘spinoff’ Black Duck is still at it, telling us all about GPL usage. Do we really want Microsoft folks to control think tanks about Microsoft’s opposition? As if controlling both sides of Office’s rival (by sponsoring Apache and SUSE) is not bad enough for FOSS?
“Do we really want Microsoft folks to control think tanks about Microsoft’s opposition?”It turns out that this year too the "Open Source Think Tank" will be organised by a company with Microsoft roots, Black Duck. And OpenLogic, another company with Microsoft roots, insists on being an authority in what FOSS to use. This is particularly dangerous given that Microsoft is openwashing OOXML (new example here) and other proprietary, patents-ridden junk that Microsoft bribes for and bullies people for. Do not let Microsoft control FOSS. It wants to, and it’s not stupid for trying. It’s some of us who are stupid for allowing entryism under the pretence of “tolerance” (towards a racketeer and repeatedly-convicted monopoly abuser). █
Michael said,
January 13, 2012 at 8:22 pm
Working to see if there is a GPL violation? Wait… are you now in support of backing those who break IP rules or not? With Apple, you blame them when they go against those who abuse their IP… but if MS is abusing IP (as Samsung and Google have been doing), I bet you blame MS.
Completely hypocritical.