It is becoming clear that, with or without more deals, Microsoft will use its deal with Novell as backing for IP threats and extortion. Red Hat is aware of this and it continues to show nothing but apathy.

Microsoft and Red Hat both have acknowledged that Microsoft has tried to get Red Hat to sign an all-encompassing technology/marketing/patent deal. But Red Hat execs have been quite plain in their disinterest in a Novell-type partnership -- while, at the same time, telling customers to go ahead and take Microsoft's Linux voucher money.

I understand why Microsoft would like to get another open-source vendor or two to sign a Novell-type deal. After all, there's nothing like the smell of FUD to get customers ready to buy Linux to reconsider the wisdom of their decision. But I am doubtful Red Hat will be the one to cave.

Our little site poll -- however biased it may be due to inclinations of the reader -- indicates that the large majority wishes to see no more deals like that which Novell made.