While Novell gets cozy(ier) with Zenoss, which is considered an Open Source company, Microsoft flirts (even collaborates) with a Linux company. Therein lies an absurdity and a conflict:

Patent claims against Linux notwithstanding, Microsoft is working with a startup to ensure a key security initiative includes support for the open-source operating system on client computers.

This time, for a change, it is not a divide and conquer attempt. It is, however, supposed to give a boost to Microsoft's own business agenda, which requires compatibility with a platform whose existence rights it does not honour.