02.20.09
Novell Buys More Proprietary Software to Add to Its Proprietary Software Portfolio
Excludes GNU/Linux as well
A LEOPARD CAN never change its spots, just as Novell cannot depart from proprietary (non-Free) software and cannot take GNU/Linux seriously. Some months ago we saw Novell releasing Open Office for Windows but not for GNU/Linux and as we showed just hours ago, Novell is not so serious about GNU/Linux anymore. Its main objective at the moment seems to be contamination of this operating system with Microsoft’s software/intellectual monopolies.
Novell advertises a lot in IDG this week (mostly ComputerWorld), but it involves nothing but non-Free software. Novell does not advertise SUSE, which seems to contradict the identity which the company once sought, namely that of an open source and “Linux” vendor.
To make matters worse, despite the company's deep losses, it is wasting money not on advancing Free software but on obtaining more non-Free software — this time technology from Fortefi. Here is the press release.
Novell announces it acquired the technology assets of Fortefi Ltd., a provider of compliance and privileged user management solutions. Novell also acquired a perpetual source code license to ActivIdentity’s industry-leading single sign-on solution, SecureLogin, which had been previously available to customers through an OEM agreement as Novell® SecureLogin. The two deals cement Novell’s leadership position in bringing together identity, access and security management technologies to help customers reduce cost, complexity and risk while proving compliance with industry regulations.
CIOL follows with superficial edits of the press release and a former Noveller comments about this thusly.
Novell primarily gets public credit (or recrimination) for its Linux business, but on Thursday Novell reminded the world that it’s more than just a Linux vendor, acquiring the assets of technology assets of Fortefi Ltd. and a perpetual source code license to ActivIdentity’s single sign-on solution.
There is some more early coverage as follows.
eWeek: Novell Bolsters Identity and Access Management Portfolio with Acquisitions
The first is the acquisition of the technology assets of compliance and user management vendor Fortefi, which Novell plans to use as the basis for the upcoming release of Novell Privileged User Manager in the second quarter of 2009.
Biz Journals: Novell deals boost its product suite
The Waltham, Mass.-based open source IT management software firm (Nasdaq: NOVL) said the deals are designed to raise Novell’s profile in identity, access and security management software.
IDG: Novell aquisition bolsters ID governance portfolio
Novell acquired the technology assets of Somerset, UK-based Fortefi, a provider of compliance and ‘privileged user management solutions’. Essentially, Novell is getting two Fortefi products, namely Command Control and Compliance Auditor.
VNUNet: Novell broadens security portfolio
Although the product has been available until now through an OEM agreement as Novell SecureLogin, the new deal will enable better integration of SecureLogin with Novell’s identity management solutions and faster addition of Novell customer requirements into future iterations of the product, said the firm.
“We’re excited about adding Fortefi’s privileged user management solutions to our portfolio and bringing SecureLogin technology, development, and support in-house,” said Jim Ebzery, senior vice president and general manager of identity and security at Novell.
CBR: Novell to bolster ID controls
Novell Privileged User Manager is due in the first quarter and will include a Compliance Auditor and various Command Control agents. It will provide granular access control and auditing of super-user accounts across HP UNIX, Solaris and Microsoft Windows 2000, 2003 and XP platforms.
That last one is quite a mouthful. What is conspicuously missing?
Novell is supporting just about any platform except GNU/Linux. It’s the same with Novell’s NAC, as Shane pointed out some months ago.
Does anyone still think that Novell is serious about GNU/Linux? █
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twitter said,
February 20, 2009 at 9:38 pm
So, this is how Novell is spending the money they save from firing Suse developers? It makes sense if you are a non free software company, but those don’t make sense in the long run.
Buying a “distressed” asset can be cheaper than making your own in the short term. This is another reason non free software is a bad deal for programmers. The free software way of making changes to shared code is more sustainable and honest.
The other problem with non free software is that its owners have a tendency to seek government protection from competition. Your new assets are not worth much if anyone with a computer and time can duplicate what you own. Society spends too much money propping these people up with copyright and patent abuse. Novell’s deal with M$ put Novell firmly in the abuser’s camp. Why people let governments favor the company’s owners over company employees who create value is a mystery to me.