That note on Novel buying SuSe Linux left out a more interesting part of the transaction. The fact that IBM is putting up a lot of money to back the Novel venture into Linux. That looks like an attempt by IBM to remove some of the legal attempts at blocking Linux being open source. Some Unix rights owners claim that IBM has released their Unix code into the Linux open source projects and have filed legal actions to block Linux open source projects. Gates has used "bounty hunter" type operations (lawyers and hired thugs) to run competing software developers out of business before, I can understand why he thinks it might work against virus writers who attack his interests.

0

comment

0

Interesting indeed. I do applaud MS for trying to help with the growing problem of virii and worms all over the place. True they may not actually catch many, but I think they are hoping to spawn new interest in prevention as well as instill a little fear into "script-kiddies", those that don't really know what they are doing, but just figured out that you can delete stuff with a single line of code. I really don't think you'll see a whole lot of new people out there who suddenly want nothing more than to screw up your computer. Really, I think that most people who do it now do it for reasons that won't change with this bounty on their heads. The weaker among them might stop, but I can't see many new people starting. There's not really any new incentive, except to spite Microsoft, and that's always been there. On another note... I'm always hearing about how MS should make it's software more secure. Great idea, but just how would you reccomend doing so? Windows is big. Sometimes bugs never become apparent until it hits the populus. It's just really easy to say "better, more secure" and feel like you've justified yourself. I mean, why can't car manufactures make "better, safer" cars? If I don't take precautions like buckling up my seatbelt, it isn't my fault when I get hurt, it's theirs for not making a safer car. Now, I do think something they could do would be to submit new releases of software to a third party, some company that looks at it from a new perspective over a couple months. Hopefully they would be able to find a few of the things MS missed. People are also complaining about all the patches MS is releasing. All I can do is shake my head. First everyone cries because of the security issues, then they cry when MS really starts to keep up with all the issues. It's not like visiting windows update once a week is that tough. If you've got XP you can even turn on Auto Updating and have it download the patches for you. Novel's going to acquire SuSe, huh? Cool. Haha, Provo... their HQ is just a couple blocks away from me.

0

Well, I just came back from the Novell and IBM -- LInux Solutions seminar. ( In Miami, FL)..and YES, IT is official that Novell has acquired SuSE Linux. Why? Pretty simple according to them: because their future vision is to create platform independent network management software -- just the way they have been for over 20 years, but with the flexibility of Linux. However, LInux DOES provide that open-source environment, lower TCO for organizations and the beauty and stability of Unix; even though it is not exactly Unix (I think is very close, and still POSIX –based). Also, IBM was there pushing their server line (blades) and clarifying that even though they support linux 100% they do not own their own distro; rather they would customize applications to customers. It seems that Novell realized (at a good point) that Linux seems to be destined to become the “de facto” desktop solution, especially when it appears that Microsoft own patches are sometimes infected with virus we all know about. Furthermore, the integration of Ximian and evolution Desktop, and the Novell suite of products, combined with a robust hardware solution provided by IBM, quoting their own words: “… would be very attractive” for organizations of all sizes trying to lower TCO”. And what’s more, all this, completely portable, flexible enough to be run on any *major* Linux distro, which will ensure that Novell does not just want to become another “pushy” player of a “sort-of-proprietary” version of linux embedded in their new suite of products. Their aim is to be able to deploy systems in a variety of platforms, not just Intel. Indeed a truly exciting initiative, backed by IBM, which has invested over 1B in the last 2 years pushing for Linux. I think is still limited (based on what I learned) for the Novell services like Zen and other products, but definitely, this is already in puberty, not in pampers anymore. It is worth taking a look at the Novell site, and reading about! Enjoy

0