SUSE Linux Was Ready for the Desktop, But Novell Sold Out

Dr. Roy Schestowitz

2007-01-03 11:10:34 UTC
Modified: 2007-01-03 11:13:28 UTC

Lobby4Linux has a very long writeup which protests Novell's rushed deal. For BoycottNovell skeptics, I decided to quote a fragment which can hopefully prove that Shane and I are not the only 'nutters' out there who glance below the surface of this deal.

Some of us are still asking the question: "Is Linux Ready For The Desktop?"

I don't care who you are...that's funny.

And yet, this announcement was not heralded by one News site or blog...none that I could find at any rate, and don't get me wrong. I am proudly affiliated with one of the best Linux News websites in existance...I missed it just like you did. The "announcement" was eclipsed by a controversy that still rages in the community and so immersed in this discussion did we become...we let it get completely by us. No, Linus did not come down from the mountain with disks in hand to make the proclamation, nor did RMS or any other noted Linux Guru perform the coronation.

Microsoft decided the issue for us.

Personally, those are the most disturbing 6 words I have ever typed. Microsoft has physically picked up and placed Linux anywhere on the Great Chessboard they wish...no different than the other Pawns they push around. Novell should be seen as nothing more than the drunken sentry who opened the gate to let the Trojan Horse in. For those of you who have challenged me on MS having too much strength and leverage, as it is said often in over-dramatic fashion; I rest my case.

Sounds familiar? As Jeremy Allison put it:

I’m sad because I don’t think we needed to do this. We were gaining a lot of traction with SuSE Linux desktop, and from my perspective (admittedly not high up in the company hierarchy with views on revenue) we were winning. We had a good product, I was always extremely busy with new customer requirements, and was personally involved in winning new customers for SLED and SLES. It just feels to me like snatching defeat from the jaws of victory.

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SUSE Linux Was Ready for the Desktop, But Novell Sold Out

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