| Microsoft's next Linux partner is...? |
Jun. 14, 2007
MOUNTAIN VIEW, CALIF. -- Believe it or not, on my way to the Linux Foundation Collaboration Summit at the Googolplex this week, I realized that I knew at least one more Linux distributor would form a partnership with Microsoft, and that the most likely one was Linspire. Why?
Did you read my piece on Linux company reactions to Microsoft's Xandros deal?
I started thinking about how nice Linspire CEO Kevin Carmony was in his comments about Xandros. Carmony said, "I can understand why they approached Microsoft to work with them and entered into the agreement." And, "As long as no one is pointing a gun at anyone's head to buy or not buy something, I have no problem with it. It's just another choice people should be free to make."
"So what, you say? Compare Carmony's recent reaction to the Xandros deal to what he had to say about Novell getting buddy-buddy with Microsoft last November. Then, he hated the deal.
"Since investing in SCO, Microsoft has wanted to find ways to use third parties to thwart open source and Linux," Carmony said. "They would love to point their IP (intellectual property) guns directly at Linux and blow it out of the water, but that would appear too heavy handed, so they need to have one willing partner to set a price and precedence on that IP. They found that partner with Novell."
His attitude certainly has changed since then, wouldn't you say?
So, I started asking around, making a few phone calls, and discovered not only was I right, I had reasoned out what was going on only hours ahead of the press release announcing Linspire's partnership with Microsoft.
So, who's next? Well, that same morning, I was thinking about Ubuntu as another possible candidate.
Mark Shuttleworth, CEO of Canonical Ltd., the company behind Ubuntu, had never been as hostile towards Microsoft as some Linux leaders. I mean, this is the Linux leader who's recently said "I'd love to work with Microsoft..."
Ubuntu has also recently partnered with Dell to deliver Linux on PCs and laptops from the first top-tier computer vendor to commit to Linux. I'm sure those desktop users would also like the goodies that Microsoft and Linspire will be delivering in Linspire 6 -- namely: access to Microsoft proprietary multimedia codecs; VoIP (voice over Internet Protocol) over Microsoft IM (instant messaging) compatible clients; and Microsoft fonts.
Oh, and by the way, you do recall that Linspire 6 will be based on Ubuntu, don't you? And, that Ubuntu will be compatible with Linspire's revised CNR (click and run) software distribution system?
Sounds to me like it would as easy as falling off a log for Canonical to add some Microsoft features of its own to Ubuntu Linux distribution.
I didn't get a chance to ask Shuttleworth if he has something in the works for Ubuntu with Microsoft at the Summit, darn it. But, if you see some news about Ubuntu partnering up with Microsoft sometime soon, well, just remember that you read it here first.
-- Steven J. Vaughan-Nichols
Do you have comments on this story?
Talkback here
NOTE: Please post your comments regarding our articles using the above link. Be sure to use this article's title as the "Subject" in your posts. Before you create a new thread, please check to see if a discussion thread is already running on the article you plan to comment on. Thanks!
(Click here for further information)
|
|
|
7 Advantages of D2D Backup
For decades, tape has been the backup medium of choice. But, now, disk-to-disk (D2D) backup is gaining in favor. Learn why you should make the move in this whitepaper.
4 Legal Reasons to Control Internet Access
The Internet is obviously a valuable resource for many organizations. However, many are exposed to legal liability concerns because they fail to control Internet access. Learn if you're safe in this white paper.
Rapidly Resolve J2EE Application Problems
Whether you are in the process of building J2EE applications or have J2EE applications already running in production, you must ensure that they deliver the expected ROI. Learn how in this white paper.
Load Testing 2.0 for Web 2.0
There are many unknowns in stress testing Web 2.0 applications. Find out how to test the performance of Web 2.0 in this white paper.
Build Better Games Online
For the game infrastructure providers, life is complex. Making money from games has become more complicated. Why? Find out in this white paper.
Building a Virtual Infrastructure from Servers to Storage
This white paper discusses the virtual storage solutions that reduce cost, increase storage utilization, and address the challenges of backing up and restoring Server environments.
Gaining Faster Wireless Connections with WiMAX
Welcome to what is quickly becoming the hyperconnected world where anything that would benefit from being connected to the network will be connected. Learn more in this white paper.
Is Your Desktop a Security Threat?
The new wave of sophisticated crimeware not only targets specific companies, but also targets desktops and laptops as backdoor entryways into those business’ operations and resources. Learn how to stay safe in this white paper.
Increasing SAN Reliability by 100 Percent
Storage area networks (SAN) are a strong part of storage plans. Learn how to increase your reliability and uptime by 100 percent in this case study.
|
|
|
|
|
news feed