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?"

6 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 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.
    2. 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)?
  3. 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
  4. 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