03.06.07
Posted in Boycott Novell at 9:05 pm by Dr. Roy Schestowitz
We would not normally link to Motley Fool, which is constantly dripping pro-Microsoft bias (probably sponsorship as well, based on recommendations, not to mention the footer). However, the points made there ought to remind us why Novell’s deal with Microsoft is so absurd. First, consider financial dependence and the need for ‘permission’ to sell your own product. Then consider the fact that Novell’s enemy will be using it to promote own agenda, even if the sufferers are rival companies which were once on Novell’s side. From the article [rel='nofollow'].
Mr. Softy Won’t Save Novell
After an interesting deal with Microsoft last November, Novell’s stock surged 16%. Unfortunately, the boost proved short-lived, given investors’ ongoing concerns about the open-source software firm.
In its first-quarter earnings report released last week, Novell announced that revenues decreased from $240 million to $230 million. Novell also posted a net loss of $19.9 million, or $0.06 per share, compared with a profit of $1.8 million, or $0.01 per share, in the year-ago period.
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Posted in Novell at 8:55 pm by Dr. Roy Schestowitz
Novell campus has space for lease
Novell is looking for companies to fill surplus space in three buildings on its Provo campus.
For some interpretation also see:
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Posted in Formats, Interoperability, Microsoft, Novell, Open XML, OpenDocument, OpenOffice, Patent Covenant, Standard at 12:11 am by Dr. Roy Schestowitz
Novell has just helped Microsoft in its fight against OpenDocument — that which decentralises control over standards — by demonstrating that OpenOffice can support Open XML format, regardless of how poor the translation may be. Think of it as proof of concept; a prototype maybe. Of course, at present, OOXML is headed towards failure, for a heap of reasons. Microsoft truly needed this step from Novell, which was probably inevitable. It comes at a crucial time, which isn’t necessarily coincidental.
Have a look at the comments, e.g. “Wow, and it’s just as bad as the MCAN translator!”. But who didn’t see this coming? It is very important that this ‘monopoly enabler’, in its present state, gets rejected.
But the number of countries with reservations about Open XML in its current form remains large enough that the format might not be approved by ISO if it were put to a vote Thursday.
This is unsurprisingly similar to concerns over Samba. Novell’s partnership with Microsoft helps Microsoft defend itself, especially when ridiculous documentation is involved, not to mention royalties and legal risks. Corel and Novell continue to be used as depedable puppets which promote anti-competitive ‘standards’ and practices. And this is not good for anyone, apart for those who share so-called IP in this exclusionary pact.
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