• Microsoft, Novell Take Their Partnership To The Streets



• Novell Readies Customers and Partners for Linux-Based Open Enterprise Server 2



• Novell's Susan Heystee to Oversee Microsoft Pact in Strategic Partner Role



• SCO Losing Case Over Linux Code



• Microsoft's Courtroom Flashback

To quote from the last link:

Most of plaintiff's petition reads like a history lesson in Microsoft's anti-trust woes. The case aims to follow well-trod legal ground, revisiting the damage Microsoft inflicted on long-extinct competitors, including Netscape Communications, Be and Go, along with Novell's DR-DOS and IBM's OS/2. Among the witnesses who will testify are former Novell software developers and a former product manager for computer maker, Acer.

Here we have Novell testifying as one among the victims of Microsoft's predatory behaviour. Additionally, Novell is under attack by SCO, a Microsoft sockpuppet. How can the new executives smile at Mr. Ballmer? If it's all hugs and kisses, one wonders if something being exchanged under the table. I doubt we're seeing the story in its entirety. Just have a look at Corel.