A couple of days ago we mentioned IBM's take on the Novell/Microsoft deal. For future record, here are the views of Linus Torvalds, extracted from his most recent interview.

As well as making assertions over patents, Microsoft has also caused a stir in the open source world by forming partnerships with Linux distributors, the largest one being Novell.

But despite the controversy, Torvalds remains nonplussed. "I don't actually think the Novell-Microsoft agreement kind of thing matters all that much in the end, but it's interesting to see the signs that the sides are at least talking to each other.

"I don't know what the end result will be, but I think it would be healthier for everybody if there wasn't the kind of rabid hatred on both sides," he told Computerworld.

In past interviews we pointed out that Linus had escaped the question and offered no comment about the deal. This might be the first time that he speaks about it in public. The remainder of this article is interesting as well because Torvalds attacks Microsoft for its unsubstantiated claims.

Remember that Torvalds would have caused a stir if he had criticised Novell. Novell is deeply involved in the Linux Foundation that Torvalds depends on. At least his comment remains somewhat inconclusive (compare this Stuart Cohen's). They are not as controversial and divisive as his comments about the GNU GPLv3 and the FSF.