In a series of recent posts, we did not exactly usher the arrival of Moonlight, which is a Silverlight implementation for Linux. The arguments behind this stance need not necessarily be repeated (see this latest item for more details). The news here appears to be Microsoft's Moonlight backing, which is not surprising. Microsoft benefits from this much more than Linux does. In fact, I opine that Linux loses a lot more than it gains from a project that assists Microsoft's Web takeover attempt.

Is it neither ironic nor absurd that Microsoft refuses to port Silverlight to Linux, but when Novell's wallet is concerned, Microsoft shows its full support.

Microsoft France asked the head of the Mono project at Novell to demonstrate Silverlight running on Linux.

Do remember that that Silverlight is -- probably by association -- encumbered by many patents. Novell would probably brag some added value here, but at whose expense? Linux? Microsoft? Novell still strives to move Linux towards the heavily-patented Windows API, which is controlled only by Microsoft. Novell will let Microsoft pollute the Web with .NET, OOXML, and permit the company to refuse interoperability unless one pays. Mainsoft appears to be part of the same party, despite affiliations and relationships with IBM.

The company has been working with Mono on Mainsoft for Java EE for the last four years and Mono of course is the open source version of Microsoft's .NET technologies sponsored by Novell.

My guess is that Microsoft will exploit Novell (just as it always has). Novell is an innocent proxy as Microsoft will use Novell's workforce, presence and influence in the Linux world to promote .NET and then then betray the company, leading to its slow demise.