If there is something going for Jeremy, among many things, it is the fact is that he says what he thinks. Linuxworld has a new interview with him which touches on interoperability and patents.

Did the Microsoft-Novell deal really have anything in it to promote interoperability? What's next for Samba? Should we call it "GNU/Solaris"? What's the first rule of Google? And what goes in your .burritorc file? We ask the only person who can answer all.

Jeremy has also posted a long letter which contains his thoughts on these matters.

"Microsoft has been in the Linux news again, with their Tony Soprano-like CEO Steve Ballmer claiming 'the fact that Linux uses our intellectual property is a problem for our shareholders.' Problem indeed, as if this were true then Microsoft is not getting paid for their 'Intellectual Property' by all those millions of infringing Linux users out there. That means you, especially if you're reading this magazine. It definitely includes me. I don't remember sending my tribute to 'Capo' Ballmer for all my Linux installs, and he thinks I owe him.

"But 'Intellectual Property' is a weasel phrase..."