What is it that initiated Dell's negotiations with Novell? We may never know the answer, but we already know is that Novell has been flirting with Dell recently. They tried to establish some kind of agreement, especially with the Linux desktop in mind (it just wasn't to be). Eventually, a deal was made which probably brought more harm than good. There are a few conspiracy theories which accompanied the announcement. For example, consider this one:

It is interesting how some people are equating this [Dell] move to Microsoft showing us who is the boss in the industry. It is being said Microsoft allowed Dell to start selling Ubuntu under the condition that it also sells Novell SuSE GNU/Linux.

A long history of Linux support from Dell shows that Microsoft had a great deal of control in Dell's decisions. At one point, Microsoft threatened to "whack" Novell over its Linux dealings. On another occasion, Dell's Linux dealings in Asia were sabotaged by Microsoft threats. Microsoft even tried to "knife the baby" when Dell initially offered Linux. Like Novell, Dell suffers from a cycle of abuse.

The conspiracy theories go further. Not so long ago, Jeremy Allison, a Samba Developer whom we interviewed, had a mouthful to share.

In the section of the interview from around 33m30s to 39m00 Jeremy Allison reports how he was told that the Microsoft team implementing SMB2 were ordered to "f**k with Samba".

Microsoft has just unleashed another beta of Longhorn Server. The "Break Samba" theory seems to have gained some credibility, owing to blog items such as this:

Longhorn server and Ubuntu do they still play together?

[...]

There (sic) real question however is can linux boxes still join and authenticate against Active Directory domains running at Native Longhorn Server levels. Well the answer a non surprising NO!

More technical sabotage? Kroes and Commision, let us hope you are watching these things.

Update: SJVN addresses and debunks the first among these two theories.