Ron Speaks

Last week, Ron Hovsepian himself wrote an article for ECT.

Working together, we can take Linux and open source to new heights, and in the process, realize the vision of Linux that we all set out to achieve. We can accelerate the adoption of Linux and create new value for both the community and its customers.

An interview with Ron Hovsepian has just been published as well.

Speaking exclusively to siliconrepublic.com, Ron Hovsepian (pictured) revealed that the interoperability alliance made strategic sense for both companies and that now they are working on at least 17 new areas of business.

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Since the pact, Hovesepian said that the two companies have managed to put the dispute of the last 20 years behind them, although Novell and Sun were key witnesses in the EU Court of First Instance which recently dismissed Microsoft’s appeal against a US$613m (€441m) fine for allegedly abusing its dominant position in the global software business.

Memories of Google's CEO

Interesting details about a former Novell CEO, Eric Schmidt, were included in one of Cringely's latest articles.

At Novell Schmidt attempted to take control of a company that had been a cult of personality -- Ray Noorda's. Logic had never prevailed at Novell and Schmidt, as an outsider, was never in a position to really impose it. Unlike at Sun, Schmidt hadn't grown up with the Novell people, and having not gone to BYU, he had little in common with their culture. Schmidt was smart enough for the job but turning around Novell couldn't be accomplished on brainpower alone. The guy never had a chance.