Bonum Certa Men Certa

Do-No-Evil Saturday - Part III: Another Load of Novell News

Legal



Firefox made a lot of headlines over the past week 'thanks' to GNU/Linux. An issue came about in Ubuntu sites where people complained about the EULA, but OpenSUSE was not entirely isolated from this debate. In the following article, Zonker had his say.



For Novell's OpenSUSE, the EULA has been a temporary annoyance as well.

"I understand the shock that people might feel the first time they see an application popping up a EULA -- and I dearly hope it doesn't become a standard practice with OSS apps -- but in the general scope of things, I don't think it's an enormous burden on the user, since it's a one-time issue," Joe "Zonker" Brockmeier, Novell's openSUSE community manager, told InternetNews.com.


He blogged about it too :

As I said yesterday, I think the bulk of complaints were a bit off. Most people seemed to be complaining about the display of the license, rather than the EULA itself. Given the barrage of EULAs you see on Windows and Mac OS X, I’m not sure if this means that Windows and Mac users are overly complacent, or that Linux users are overly touchy. Maybe both.


Virtualisation



There were heaps of reports because of VMworld and Interop. Here are the key ones where Novell was involved.

Most recently it was this press release from Xenocode (also to be found here), which Novell bought a licence from.

Xenocode, a next-generation virtualization company, today announced the licensing of its best-in-class application virtualization technology to Novell. The recently announced Novell ZENworks Application Virtualization solution leverages Xenocode's virtualization technology to allow customers to deploy their applications inside a "virtual container" requiring no installation or configuration. Virtual application deployment eliminates application conflicts and compatibility problems on Windows desktops, allowing organizations to run legacy applications on Windows Vista and deploy multiple versions of applications side-by-side in isolated "sandboxes."

"We are especially excited about combining our leadership in virtualization technology with Novell's best-of-breed ZENworks management infrastructure platform," said Kenji Obata, Xenocode founder and CEO. "This licensing agreement provides a powerful, integrated solution for large organizations to assure instant availability of applications across all versions and desktop platforms."


Articles about this might arrive shortly. Maureen O'Gara wrote one, but it's better to ignore it.

Userful's latest announcement was mentioned last week, but articles about it continue to come. Here are 3 more of them:

1. Linux Product Insider - ”Free the Penguins” Virtualization in Schools Initiative

A valiant attempt to ungrip the Microsoft stranglehold on school PCs is the newly announced ”Free the Penguins” Virtualization in Schools Initiative from Omni Technology Solutions, Userful and Novell. The firms claim that “educational institutions looking for a low-cost, eco-friendly alternative to stand-alone Windows desktops can now deploy [the software for] their first 30-station computer lab or classroom free of charge”. Every university, college and school district in the world is eligible to receive a free 30-user Userful Multiplier virtualization software license, while the first 30 customers will also receive a free 30-user subscription to SUSE Linux Enterprise Desktop from Novell. Omni is the distributor of the free solution.


2. Schools get free PC virtualization and Novell SUSE

Two Canadian firms have donated up to three Linux-based Multiplier virtualization systems to any nonprofit school or university. Each Multiplier system lets up to 10 students apiece share a single computer. The first 30 requesting schools will also receive free SUSE software.


3. Calgary entrepreneur liberates desktops

Userful has grown to more than $1 million in annual sales (Griffin won't give an exact number) with 30,000 "computer seats" that pay monthly management fees of $10 to $100 per desktop per month to Userful or its partners.


Novell is also mentioned in this article about server virtualisation at Unisys.

The 7600R is also certified, of course, to support the VMware ESX Server 3.5 virtual machine hypervisor for carving up the server into sub-processor VMs, and customers can also use Microsoft's Hyper-V for Windows Server 2008 or the integrated Xen hypervisor inside Red Hat's Enterprise Linux Advanced Platform 5.2 or Novell's Linux Enterprise Server 10 SP2 to similarly carve up the box.


A press release from PlateSpin/Novell reveals another new product, which very few reports were published to describe.

PlateSpin ULC, a Novell€® company, today announced the availability of PlateSpin Forge(TM) version 2.0, an innovative hardware-based disaster recovery appliance that uses embedded VMware virtualization to protect most x86 server workloads.


 

The appliances, each delivered pre-configured with storage, management software and VMware virtualisation to support between 10 and 25 workloads, can be clustered under the control of management software for implementation in large enterprises if required. The latest version includes support for 64-bit Windows workloads.


It does raise some questions about Microsoft's benefit from this acquisition of PlateSpin by Novell.

rPath was mentioned last week because its strong new relationship with Novell may have affected its relationship with Microsoft. rPath does not neglect VMware though.

In addition, application providers will be able to leverage SUSE Linux Enterprise Server from Novell when building VMware Ready virtual appliances using rPath’s technology platform.


As we shall see in a moment, Novell and VMware are no foes, either. That's despite the Microsoft connection (Novell is serving Microsoft. There are still some articles hanging about which talk about Microsoft and Novell in Hyper-V.

Hyper-Vell



Marius Oiaga wrote:

Microsoft continues to bridge its proprietary Windows operating system with the open source Linux platform, simultaneously advancing its collaboration with Novell.


Here is another report about it.

Microsoft Corp. and Novell Inc. are announcing the availability of a joint virtualization solution optimized for customers running mixed-source environments. The joint offering includes SUSE Linux Enterprise Server from Novell configured and tested as an optimized guest operating system running on Windows Server 2008 Hyper-V, and is fully supported by both companies’ channel partners, including Dell Inc., which will test and validate this offering at the Microsoft and Novell joint Interoperability Lab in Cambridge, Massachusetts. The offering provides customers with the first complete, fully supported and optimized virtualization solution to span Windows and Linux environments.


CBR pulled a fast one as well (mirrored here)

The companies also have partnerships in three other fields: Moonlight, accessibility, and a new SUSE Linux Enterprise Server management pack for Microsoft System Center product. In August, Microsoft expanded its interoperability relationship with Novell by agreeing to buy an incremental $100m worth of subscription certificates for Novell's Linux products.


Another one here:

This step will also give a new way to the ongoing partnership between Microsoft and Novell. In 2006, these two came together and signed a licensing deal which according to many was Microsoft's official acceptance of Linux.


"Official acceptance of Linux..." maybe an acceptance of Linux tax as the chosen approach rather.

Pam Derringer wrote:

While not giving relative performance benchmarks of Red Hat versus SUSE on Hyper-V, Rego said Hyper-V has no comparable integration components for Red Hat guests. Red Hat "could choose" to use some of the components, but its current move from Xen to a KVM-based hypervisor "will change things quite a bit," added Dorfman.

Tony Iams, an analyst at Rye Brook, N.Y.-based Ideas International Inc., said the significance of the announcement is that the virtualization adapters are now a reality.

"This is an encouraging sign that [Microsoft and Novell] are progressing and their relationship remains as strong as ever," Iams said. "They've delivered a crucial milestone."


From Trading Markets:

Microsoft and Novell have formed a partnership to provide a joint virtualization offering for clients running mixed-source environments.


And another similar report (eerily similar):

Microsoft and Novell announced the availability of a joint virtualization solution optimized for customers running mixed-source environments.


Ian Bruce wrote about this at Novell.com.

VMworld



Novell wrote about this event in its PR blog and Ken Hess was there covering it on behalf of Linux Magazine. At the beginning of VMworld:

Speaking of announcements, I suspect that Microsoft and Novell may make a big one at this conference throwing the limelight squarely on their partnership going forward. They announced last Thursday that they’re going to collaborate on a virtualization solution that involves running SuSE Linux on Microsoft’s Hyper-V server. And, there’s that perennial struggle between Microsoft and Citrix. I wonder when those two are going to give up this strained on-again, off-again relationship and just move in together.


Novell actually made a VMware-related announcement:

Novell today announced broad support for the VMware* Ready Program and for VMware Studio, with SUSE(R) Linux Enterprise now verified as VMware Ready and as a fully supported guest operating system.


This is also mentioned here.

VMware's situation seems rather tough and complicated due to bundling and FUD. The following article quotes a man who used to be part of Microsoft's slog. He is now a victim of the type of slog.

VMware Inc.'s new CEO Paul Maritz is familiar with Microsoft's marketing.

He was a top executive at Microsoft for many years, after all, and witnessed its rivalry through the 1990s with Novell Inc. He recalled that he had his team scheming of ways to put a Microsoft logo on the pillow slipcovers of attendees at a Novell event.

That rivalry didn't turn out too well for Novell, and now Microsoft is aiming its guns at VMware.


SAP



The 'SAP triangle' is being mentioned and shown here in the news.

Moiz Kohari, vice president of engineering, open platform solutions group at Novell, said in an e-mail interview: "We believe that awareness in Asia is already very high. Global adoption of Linux is reaching, if not already, at critical mass, and this naturally impacts Asia."

Boosting enterprise confidence in open source But the crucial trigger for enterprise adoption is interoperability. Citing Oracle's support for Linux, SAP's endorsement of Novell's Suse Linux distribution and Novell's partnership with Microsoft, Kohari said major software players have shown they are ready to support Linux in Asia, which will help boost customer confidence in taking up open source technologies.


It's all just a bunch of mutual and multi-mutual partners patting themselves (and each other) on the back, making reciprocal recommendations. Microsoft almost bought SAP a couple of years ago.

Security



Not many vulnerabilities or advisories came up. Here is just one.

People



After an abrupt departure of the former channel chief (she left after months on the job), another appointment is made. There is a lot of coverage about it. Here is the press release and an early short report.

Novell Inc (Nasdaq:NOVL) announced today (12 September) the appointment of Javier Colado as general manager, Partners, responsible for the management of Novell's partner and channel strategy world wide.


Another quickie:

Novell Inc. announced the appointment of Javier Colado to the new position of general manager, partners, effective immediately. Colado will be responsible for leading and managing channel and partner strategy worldwide, with a focus on accelerating Novell's channel transformation.


Reports from 'channel press' soon arrived because Novell is still an important part to those who depend on VARs. From CRN:

Novell has named Javier Colado, previously manager of the software company's Europe, Middle East and Africa operations, as its new channel chief, the company announced Friday.

Colado's appointment, effective last week, comes nearly six weeks after the sudden departure of vice president of global channel sales Pat Bernard who left, according to the company, "to pursue other interests." Colado will report to president and CEO Ron Hovsepian and will relocate from Spain to work in Novell's Waltham, Mass., headquarters.

Novell's channel management has undergone some turbulence during the last year. Bernard took the reins of the company's channel operations just last November when Novell's channel executive ranks underwent major changes including the departures of Steve Erdman, vice president and general manager of channels and alliances, and James Simzer, director of North America partner sales.


From Channel Insider:

Colado, who will be based in Novell’s Massachusetts headquarters, replaces Pat Bernard who left Novell in early August after less than a year with the company. Bernard's charter was to make Novell a more channel-centric company.


Another channel-oriented publication quoted Novell's CEO, to whom Colado will report:

“Javier has a tremendous track record of executing against strategic partner and channel initiatives,” said Hovsepian. “This new role is critical to Novell’s continued growth and success and Javier is the right leader to continue to drive our channel strategy, identify and recruit new partners, and champion our internal transformation.”


From echannelline.com, which is very Novell-friendly:

Colado has been with Novell since 2006, serving as Area General Manager and Vice President for Western Europe, Middle East and Africa. Prior to joining Novell, he held senior executive positions with McAfee and Lucent Technologies.


Joe Panettieri wrote:

Javier Colado, Novell’s new channel chief, faces some clear challenges. Many pundits say Colado has to strengthen Novell’s SUSE Linux partner ranks. But in reality, The VAR Guy believes, Colado has to build a bridge between vastly different software islands. Here’s why.

Sure, you know Novell has been gaining some momentum with SUSE Linux and the company has recruited more than 2,000 ISVs (independent software vendors) to back SUSE Linux. And that momentum will continue this week when Novell participates in Lenovo’s first server announcements at Interop.


Panettieri also submitted this to Seeking Alpha, which he hasn't done in a while (he runs his own media network):

Novell (NOVL) named Javier Colado to oversee the company's partner programs on September 12. Many pundits say Colado has to strengthen Novell’s SUSE Linux partner ranks. But in reality, I think Colado has to build a bridge between vastly different software islands.

Novell has recruited more than 2,000 ISVs (independent software vendors) to back SUSE Linux. And that momentum will continue this week when Novell participates in Lenovo’s (LNVGY.PK) first server announcements at the Interop trade show.


Also channel-related was the following article about PlateSpin's new strategy.

Workload management solutions vendor PlateSpin has revealed its new channel business model, which the company claims enriches financial rewards for partners. PlatesSpin, which is part of Novell, reckons that its new reseller programme focuses on growing partner sales and profits and offers one of the highest margins available in the industry today.


Lastly, a former Noveller is seen moving between companies.

Butterfield is managing partner of SageCreek partners, and previously served as group president at Symantec, and CEO of Altiris. Butterfield has also served at Vinca Corporation, Novell, and WordPerfect Corporation.


Marketing



Novell has begun reviewing itself.

Software company Novell is conducting a review for an agency to support its PR function in North America.

Ian Bruce, Novell's director of global PR, said the selected firm will primarily aid media relations for the company, which produces Linux, a rival to Microsoft's Windows operating platform.


This was covered also here. Is Novell looking for an identity?

The YouTube user known as "NovellVideo" (maybe a marketing guy) keeps pushing Novell adverts into YouTube. Here is "Kernel".



Ogg Theora



The Director of Electronic Marketing at Novell also had this video of her pushed onto YouTube.



Ogg Theora



That's all for today. Gosh, that was long.

Recent Techrights' Posts

IBM Cannot Even Do Payroll, Now a "Legitimate Target" of Iran
Missiles or not, it seems like IBM systems will be targeted more by cybercriminals
Microsofters' SLAPP Censorship - Part 10 Out of 200: Showing Public Tweets is Not a Privacy Violation, But This Isn't About Justice, It's About Censorship
It's time to put a stop to this abuse of process (which is what the Judge deemed it to be last year)
IBM's Payroll: Cannot Even Pay the People What They're Legally Entitled to
How financially-stressed is IBM at this point?
 
By Expanding to Advocacy of Ponzi Schemes and Bill Epsteingate (Sex Trafficking), Linux Foundation Revenue Grew to $220,730,594, But Salary of Linus Torvalds Not Even in Top 10 Anymore!
true!
In the Name of Transparency, Today We Show Our Defence and Counterclaim
already uploaded by the other side
Links 12/03/2026: Heating Bills to Soar, "Banks in Gulf Evacuate Their Offices"
Links for the day
Gemini Links 12/03/2026: On Phone Anxiety and Bjorn "Looking for Someone to Take Over Antenna"
Links for the day
Cultification: best candidates avoiding Debian leader elections
Reprinted with permission from Daniel Pocock
Richard Stallman (RMS) et al Cited in 'Nature' (Journal/Site) Today, "CODE beyond FAIR"
Under Open Access
The Register MS, on Verge of Collapse, Keeps Promoting a Ponzi Scheme for China
Publishers that participate in this simply don't care about their readers
Overview of False Narratives and Lies Used to Lower Salaries at the European Patent Office (EPO), Abandoning Patent Quality and the EPC
Many of the latter slides are the same as Munich's
Links 12/03/2026: Atlassian Layoffs, GAFAN Covering up Slop-Induced Outages, "Age-verification in Operating Systems and the Internet"
Links for the day
The EPO's President, Who Covers Up Cocaine Use, is Trying to Suppress Communication Between EPO Staff Under the Guise of 'Privacy' (and in Defiance of a Court Ruling)
Why does Europe's second-largest institution: 1) curtail communication among staff (including union) and 2) go out of its way to avoid obeying a court order from ILOAT in Geneva?
Exactly One Week Before Next EPO Strike, Media Intentionally Not Mentioning EPO Strikes
One form of propaganda technique/s involves the systematic suppression of certain topics, or of particular "narratives"
Suicide of disgruntled employee? Bus fire at Kerzers / Chiètres, Switzerland, at least six dead
Reprinted with permission from Daniel Pocock
Over at Tux Machines...
GNU/Linux news for the past day
IRC Proceedings: Wednesday, March 11, 2026
IRC logs for Wednesday, March 11, 2026
Gemini Links 12/03/2026: "on Urbit" and the True Cost (or Criticism) of "Social Control Media"
Links for the day
Slop About "linux" in Google News
Once people recognise that those sites are fake it's hard to 'unsee' what they are
An American War on GNU/Linux, Software Freedom, and British Investigative, Science-Based Reporting - Part V - Attempts to Take Down and Suppress Criticism of Back Doors Controlled by Microsoft and the American Government
The cost of maintaining illusions
Slides From the European Patent Office (EPO) Explain Why They're Striking, How They're Striking, and What Comes Next
A week from now the strike will go ahead
GAFAM Datacentres Are Facilities of War, So Risk of Downtime by Missiles or State-Sponsored Cracking Has Vastly Increased
How safe is your business in "clown computing" or DCs marked as some "legitimate targets" at wartime?
Companies That Take Away Blood and Sweat From the Community to Sell a Ponzi Scheme to Everybody
We need Free software that is run by communities
1,234 People Gather Online to Plan Next EPO Strikes and Other Industrial Actions
yesterday an online gathering orchestrated the next moves by EPO staff
Links 11/03/2026: Fake Videos Swarm YouTube, "Ukraine Can Now Manufacture ‘China-Free’ Drones"
Links for the day
Gemini Links 11/03/2026: Lagrange for iOS and Android and "Turning a Folder of Git Repos Into Project Launcher"
Links for the day
Kafkaesque: Unlawful Activities in the UK to Cover Up Unlawful Activities in the United States of America
Why is bribery and even extortion seen is OK? Because rich people do those things?
Former IBM Executive, Ron Hovsepian, Doomed S.u.S.E. (SUSE)
SUSE is like a child nobody wants to raise
Quiet Layoffs or Silent Layoffs Alleged at Microsoft
Will some investigative journalists do their job now and ask Microsoft tough questions?
After a Long Lull LinuxTeck (linuxteck.com) Came Back Only as a Slopfarm
Unlike Linuxiac, LinuxTeck wasn't very active in recent years
Links 11/03/2026: EPO and USPTO Software Patents Thrown Out Again, Copyright Concerns Over Slop (Plagiarism Using Buzzwords)
Links for the day
Microsofters' SLAPP Censorship - Part 9 Out of 200: 5RB Barrister Does Not Even Know the Name of His Own Client (That He Was Paid Well Over $200,000 to 'Speak' or 'Cover' for)
If you assault women in the United States, there's a barrister available for you in the UK
IBM's Fedora is Now Led by GAFAM Slop
The official word of Fedora is partly slop
IBM 'Dinobabies' Speak Out
"They want newbies out of school at a much cheaper rate"
Links 11/03/2026: "Drill, Baby, Drill" and Social Control Media Recognised as Threat to Democracy
Links for the day
5 Years Since Freenode Conflict
IRC isn't going away
A Week Ahead of Next EPO Strike the Staff Representatives Show the Administrative Council That the Office Lost the Best Staff, It's No Longer Attractive
the message circulated regarding the open letter to the Administrative Council
Jeff Bezos as an Individual Said to Have Enough Capital to Buy IBM
Assuming a market capitalisation of 234.70 billion
Starting Soon: Another New Series About Richard Stallman
There are some inside stories we can tell
Gemini Links 11/03/2026: School, Code Slop, and "Fancy Weapons"
Links for the day
Over at Tux Machines...
GNU/Linux news for the past day
IRC Proceedings: Tuesday, March 10, 2026
IRC logs for Tuesday, March 10, 2026
Geminispace Continues to Grow
Geminispace Will Soon Have 5,000 Capsules
Very Little Slop About "Linux"
We hope to see slop eradicated by year's end
BBC Lied for Its Longtime Sponsor (Bribes for 15+ Years) Bill Epsteingate, in Effect Covering Up Sex Trafficking of Underage Girls
The state of the media is truly awful
Microsoft GitHub is Not Free Hosting and It Won't Last
Not for much longer [...] Microsoft is afraid to say that it is pulling the plug, but it seems inevitable
Mass Layoffs at Microsoft, March 2026
When will the media properly investigate this?
An American War on GNU/Linux, Software Freedom, and British Investigative, Science-Based Reporting - Part IV - Escalating to Ministers, Explaining the Severity of These Matters
British Sovereignty at Stake
"The Lost Generation" Came Back, This Time Literally
Based on my limited experience with young people ("alphas"), they're lost
IBM is Not Likely to Survive Another Decade
Despite having already survived over a century [...] Last week we saw claims that some company would likely acquire IBM for its remaining assets
IBM Has Just Been Sued Again by Its Own Staff (This Time a Manager, Stephen P. Gutierrez)
IBM's behaviour towards its staff can prove costly
When a Company Says Its Layoffs are "Due to AI" Check the Debt (Typically the Real Reason for Mass Layoffs)
The mass layoffs at Microsoft continue, but Microsoft hides those in some of the same ways IBM does
Doing More With Less
primacy of concepts rather than bells and whistles
Andy and Helen in Cybershow on Divesting From the United States' Technology and Politics
It is no longer considered a taboo to say this and it's not "anti-American" because many Americans can relate to and agree with such criticism
Links 10/03/2026: "GEMA v. Suno Copyright Case" and "Valve Faces PRS Lawsuit Over Allegedly Unlicensed Steam Music"
Links for the day
Gemini Links 10/03/2026: Woods in UK, Slop Laziness, and "Small Technology and Small Economic"
Links for the day
Garrett Announces LibreLocal Instance in Northampton, Massachusetts (USA)
his message was the only one last month
Microsofters' SLAPP Censorship - Part 8 Out of 200: Gross Misuse of UKGDPR to Protect the Agenda of American Back Doors (Mass Surveillance)
Responding to bunk claims regarding UKGDPR and claims of 'analytics' in our sites
Links 10/03/2026: Oil Prices Rising, South Korean/US Military Assets Redirected
Links for the day
Links 10/03/2026: Rust Rewrites by Slop "20,171 Times Slower", "You MUST Review LLM-generated Code"
Links for the day
Over at Tux Machines...
GNU/Linux news for the past day
IRC Proceedings: Monday, March 09, 2026
IRC logs for Monday, March 09, 2026