I must admit that I got a little chuckle reading a blog post from Novell's PR department. Novell is yet to show that the deal with Microsoft was actually fruitful in one way or another. The company seems determined to suggest that other distributors are longing for a bond with Microsoft when the matter of fact is that Novell just hurts everybody else rather than actually elevate itself. It is akin to destroying your rivals rather than improving your own products. Sounds familiar? Well, Novell seems to resemble its new partner more and more each day. Ridicule of Linux products from rivals seems acceptable, even though those 'rivals' work towards the same goal, which is to make Linux widespread. After all, the companies share source code and thrive in such achievements. Matt Asay, who used to work at Novell, has said several times -- you can do better, Novell.

The post from Novell follows, with just a fragment quoted.

[Chief Marketing Officer for Novell:] For months now I've been biting my tongue and sitting on the sidelines as comment after comment from executives at Red Hat go unchallenged about Novell, our Linux business and our partnership with Microsoft. In truth, you won’t hear anything emanating from Red Hat about the value of interoperable Linux and Windows solutions. No, it’s far easier to patronize Novell, question our motivations and intentions, and challenge the integrity of our company.

This is baffling. Is Novell competing with Red Hat on moral grounds here? Hasn't Novell admitted that its deal with Microsoft was a selfish act? Why yes it has!

Update: there is more coverage of the hostile exchnage of blows at CRN. Given context, I can understand why Novell is angry.