Slashdot Mirror

← Back to Stories (view on slashdot.org)

Dell Partners with MS/Novell for Linux Servers

Posted by CmdrTaco on from the room-for-everyone-in-the-clown-car dept.

untouchableForce writes "Dell has announced that it will join forces with Microsoft and Novell to "make it easier for the Windows operating system and the [...] Linux [operating] system to work together." This is not overly surprising given Dell's good relationship with Microsoft, and since they already sell SUSE Linux on some of their servers, but it is likely to put a stop to the OSS community's celebration of them distributing Ubuntu. The debate over partnership between Microsoft and Novell has been drawn out since the deal was signed and for some this will add additional fuel to the fire but shouldn't the OSS community be reading this as an acceptance of Company's acknowledgment of Linux?"

14 of 193 comments (clear)

  1. This deal also..... by 8127972 · · Score: 5, Interesting

    .... Likely limits the chances of Dell being sued because of some sort of IP related issue. These days, it's all about covering your A**.

    --
    This is my opinion. To make sure you don't steal it, it's covered by the DMCA.
    1. Re:This deal also..... by Penguinisto · · Score: 4, Insightful
      Indeed - I see it as a major step towards Dell selling Linux on a larger scale.

      OTOH, I sincerely hope this isn't going to become a pattern, where MSFT makes bank every time an OEM moved towards Linux. Something about it just seems plain wrong, and looks like an admission of guilt towards a contention that probably does not exist (the assertion of MSFT somehow owning IP to Linux or OS tech).

      /P

      --
      Quo usque tandem abutere, Nimbus, patientia nostra?
    2. Re:This deal also..... by marcosdumay · · Score: 4, Insightful

      I do have a problem with Microsoft getting something for every PC sold with Linux. But, that said, it is a much better situation than every PC comming with Windows.

      --
      Rethinking email
    3. Re:This deal also..... by Scarblac · · Score: 5, Informative

      Exactly the opposite - if they're suggesting they need a patent deal like this to be allowed to distribute Linux, then they are not allowed to distribute it - see the GPL (For example, if a patent license would not permit royalty-free redistribution of the Program by all those who receive copies directly or indirectly through you, then the only way you could satisfy both it and this License would be to refrain entirely from distribution of the Program).

      It would open them up to GPL violation law suits.

      --
      I believe posters are recognized by their sig. So I made one.
    4. Re:This deal also..... by IGnatius+T+Foobar · · Score: 5, Informative

      OTOH, I sincerely hope this isn't going to become a pattern, where MSFT makes bank every time an OEM moved towards Linux.
      In conventional terms, this is known as a "protection racket" and it is quite illegal. Not that the law ever stopped Microsoft before...
      --
      Tired of FB/Google censorship? Visit UNCENSORED!
  2. Oy Carumba by WrongSizeGlass · · Score: 5, Funny

    shouldn't the OSS community be reading this as an acceptance of Company's acknowledgment of Linux? I suppose an OpenSource deal with the Devil is still an OpenSource deal, so why look a gift horse in the mouth (even if it is one of the four horses of the apocalypse)?
    1. Re:Oy Carumba by darth_linux · · Score: 4, Insightful

      i agree about the four horses part. M$ doesnt want to embrase linux as much as they want to extinguish. as someone else pointed out, they eventually want to make people think they (or novell by partnership) are the only ligitimate linux distributors and all others are unofficial/unsupported. I can see the add: "free linux distros come and go. run and you risk being left with out tech support. we're M$ and we're your linux source."

      --
      Power to the Penguin!
  3. In our datacenter, Dell's doing well with Linux by csoto · · Score: 4, Insightful

    It used to be like pulling teeth to get anywhere next to current drivers and software for Linux, but over the last few years, it's just as good as Windows. Man, it sucked to have to boot a server in Windows or visit it with a USB floppy drive in order to update firmware. I see this move as a good thing. Dell realizes they sell more boxes with better Windows AND Linux support than with good support for just one of these...

    --
    There exists no way of exchanging information without making judgments. --Bene Gesserit Axiom
  4. What's really going on here? by zCyl · · Score: 4, Interesting
    Something still doesn't make sense in this cluster of partnerships.

    Microsoft said it would offer corporate customers a chance to license its Windows operating system as part of a package that includes maintenance and support for Novell's Suse Linux platform.

    This strikes me as a strange statement. This is like offering a chance to lease a Ford with every Honda maintenance.

    I get that Dell might see patent immunity as an advantage, but if Microsoft gives patent immunity to everyone, then this contradicts the proposed strategy of using patents as a weapon. Giving patent immunity to Novell was simply an empty gesture, of course. But if cards fall right Dell could actually become a substantial distributer of preinstalled Linux systems. With too many of these deals, patents can no longer be used against Linux, contradicting a plan Microsoft had stated a desire for for some time.

    While patent immunity for Linux installations is a good result, I'm not primed to expect good results from Microsoft after a history of them not acting in such a manner. So I am still left wondering what is going on behind the scenes here.
  5. What really happened: by DJCacophony · · Score: 4, Interesting

    Microsoft was caught off-guard by Dells move to put Linux on their machines. Microsoft was simply not expecting them to do it. Now that they realize that Dell is serious about it, they offered Dell kickbacks in order to put Microsoft/Novell software on the machines instead of the free-as-in-beer Ubuntu Linux so they can keep control over their customer base.

    --
    Slow Down, Cowboy! It's been 60 minutes since you last successfully posted a comment.
    1. Re:What really happened: by phasm42 · · Score: 5, Funny

      They'll probably throw in some MSN.com links on the SUSE desktop.

      --
      "No one likes working in a hamster wheel, and your shop smells of cedar shavings from here." - TaleSpinner
  6. Ideastorm topic added by mhall119 · · Score: 5, Informative

    I have added this concern to Dell's Ideastorm.

    http://www.ideastorm.com/article/show/67008/Dont_i mply_Microsoft_IP_in_Linux

    Anyone concerned about Dell's involvement in this MS/Novell pact should promote and comment on it.

    --
    http://www.mhall119.com
  7. Re:No. by nine-times · · Score: 4, Insightful

    There is no way that MS will let any other distribution but suse exist

    There is no way for MS to stop other distributions from existing.

  8. Re:Free as in Freedom, good sir by ericrost · · Score: 4, Insightful

    It's ridiculous to call the software they produce and distribute free as in beer. They contribute upstream, they release all their source, they give redistribution rights, they don't discriminate on field of endeavor.

    They are allowing FREEDOM (ie use the software you need if none that support the 4 freedoms are available). Isn't it less free to turn your nose up at something than to inform your users of the licensing issues, let them know they won't get support, and let them use their computers the way THEY see fit?

    What definition of FREEDOM do you have that restricts users rights to use something in the name of "freedom"?

    That, in my estimation, is freer than a restrictive definition of freedom. Freedom should never take rights away, only add guarantee that you won't take them away from others.

    --
    My Babylon