Summary: The 'older Microsoft' (serial monopolist IBM) bought Red Hat, but evidence shows that one would be wrong to assume Red Hat really competes against Microsoft (any more than Novell did; there's a strong relationship)

IT may seem painful to say this, but Red Hat does not quite act as a flag bearer to many GNU/Linux users these days. To many of us, with few exceptions, replacing Windows is the goal. Red Hat seems to be more interested in some kind of hegemony. It boils down to money, not principles.

"It boils down to money, not principles."IBM never truly cared about replacing Windows since the OS/2 days; it's just not in the market anymore. And for those who believe that Red Hat can be seen as a case apart, bear in mind they're becoming inseparable quite rapidly. The most recent insider comment from TheLayoff Web site (spotted yesterday):



One need not even look far back to see the strength of the relationship, which probably strengthened even further under IBM.

Microsoft withdrew due to antitrust fears

In the clip below (2019), notice the gestures upon the entrance of Nadella (body language).



Shades of Novell and Hovsepian/Ballmer, right?



Then the handshakes and the sit-down with "Microsoft" on top of Jim's head. Did they get the labels the wrong way around?



Stay classy, Jim from Microsoft.

Here's the full clip (locally stored):



We've been there before, sort of...

It's about proprietary software. Where does Red Hat go? ⬆