Comments

• Heidegart Millnic

  2007-12-16 10:02:06

  I am sorry again to raise a critical-sounding question; but exactly what are you basking your idea manipulation by the Ximian people lead to the Novell-Microsoft agreement? Because the quote doesn't say that. I only says that the acquisition of Ximian led to the acquisition of SuSe - and it sounds like he was just going to start talking about the Novell-Micrososoft deal but then your quote cuts off the rest.

• Heidegart Millnic

  2007-12-16 10:08:29

  I meant "on what are you basing your idea that manipulation lead..." Sorry; wrote in a haste. ;-)

• Roy Schestowitz

  2007-12-16 13:10:17

  Heidegart, I write in a haste too :-) Well, first of all, it's worth mentioning that Net and Miguel actually went over to Microsoft before the deal and expressed doubts about the patent part. They knew about the deal before it happened. Now, if you watch the blog post posted by Miguel on November 2nd, you will see a degree of cautious enthusiasm. Be aware that at that stage, Miguel was already deep in Mono and very much involved with Microsoft staff like Sam and Bill at Port 25. He also attended Microsoft developer conferences. Whether that's a good or a bad thing is a separate issue.
  
  Regarding what led to this deal, as I said earlier today, the marketing people deserve a lot of the blame, apparently.
  
  As for the technical role of Ximian(ovell), be aware that OOXML translators and Silverlight (Moonlight) are based on Miguel's (et al) work.

• Heidegart Millnic

  2007-12-16 14:59:54

  AFAIK the OOXML translators are Michael Meeks' work.
  
  I think it's nonsensical to suggest programmers got anything to do with a development that very obviously happened out of sheer business interest. Miguel is very clearly a man who's enthusiastic about technologdy that he likes while Ron Hovsepian is a manager who had to had to set something into motion after his predecessor had been sacked because of his lack of initiative. Not marketing people deserve the blame, if any, but management. Talking about blame; these are just different viewpoints: Management doesn't think in terms of good or bad technology (like Miguel does) and not in terms of morally right or wrong alliances; they think in terms of success or non-success. In that sense, Hovsepian definitely has made the right decision; it seems tohave brought back into the race as a contender. Perhaps not as a winner, but at least they are again participating in the race.
  
  And where does Miguel fit in here? Not at all, because inclinations/likes/dislikes don't have a place in business. Letl me put it like this: Lockheed aren't into fighter aircrafts because they like killing but because there's good money to be made with fighter aircrafts. Novell certainly haven't partnered with Microsoft because Miguel likes .Net but because there is money to be made, a market-share to be expanded. Thinking in terms of personal affectations is hardly realistic here.

• Roy Schestowitz

  2007-12-16 22:24:11

  Novell certainly haven’t partnered with Microsoft because Miguel likes .Net but because there is money to be made, a market-share to be expanded. Thinking in terms of personal affectations is hardly realistic here.

  
  
  I'd agree with you in most circumstances, but as Ray Noorda and others know too well, Microsoft just uses its partners rather than share with them. At the moment, Novell does a lot of heavy lifting for Microsoft. When Novell is not needed (for Microsoft) anymore, the relationship will be over.
  
  Planning for success in the long term may be more important than quick gains. Just ask Palm which is falling into oblivion after leaning on Windows Mobile for rescue. Competing with rivals is more sensible than joining them.