Technical Tidbits™

I was on the phone with my one of our instructors, Anthony Valente from Network Defense Solutions, discussing a problem with one of clients’ Debian servers. Eventually, the conversation led into Microsoft’s push into open source.

I made the comment to Anthony that I didn’t understand why Microsoft was pumping so much money into Novell’s SUSE Linux when I just read the about OSLO and Midori, two upcoming offerings from Microsoft. Couple those two with the Eclipse project and you’ve got Microsoft doing some pretty “open source” sounding activities.

I said, “If Microsoft is leaning more toward the open source, I don’t think they’re trying to push Novell’s Linux to compete with Ubuntu.”

Anthony brought up a very interesting point that I actually missed but makes sense!

He said, “Microsoft isn’t leveraging Novell because of their Linux! Think about it. Novell has their network security software in the enterprise for a long time – Netware. They’re pushing into Novell to compete with Cisco!”

I never really thought about that, but now that Anthony brought it up, it seems rather logical. I was thinking that Microsoft was pumping money into the Novell certificates for Linux so they can keep a strong market presence in the Linux and open source market. Everyone is so peeved with Microsoft and the failed Vista – that Ballmer is now claiming wasn’t really meant to be a new operating system in the first place – that many more users are going toward Ubuntu. (Me included!)

In an August 25, 2008 NetworkWorld.com article, John Fontana titled: Microsoft invests more in Novell, Fontana states:

The two vendors claim the $100 million investment is needed to meet customer demand to integrate Linux and Windows. However, Novell has only invoiced $156 million of Microsoft’s original $240 million certificate purchase, leaving 35% of the fund still unused.  (Source: http://www.networkworld.com/news/2008/082008-ms-novel.html?hpg1=bn)

Hmmm. It does seem a bit strange now that you mention it.

Only time will tell, but my bet is on Anthony’s call. I wouldn’t be a bit surprised to see Microsoft buddying themselves up with Novell to enable them to compete with Cisco.

But there’s one problem with the Microsoft strategy. A rotten fish by any other name still smells like a rotten fish. And we’re sorry Microsoft, but we don’t care who you align yourself with; we’ll never trust you with our security. NEVER.

What’s that saying, “Fool me once, shame on you. Fool me twice, shame on me.” After the devastation and destruction Microsoft has caused me when I trusted them with my security? Well, enough said.

Hey Cisco! Watch your back in case we’re right!