https://bugzilla.novell.com/show_bug.cgi?id=218620 Summary: Novell is now a Microsoft Partner Product: openSUSE 10.2 Version: Beta 1 plus Platform: Other OS/Version: Other Status: NEW Keywords: Bad_Design, Customer_Relevant Severity: Blocker Priority: P5 - None Component: Development AssignedTo: pth@novell.com ReportedBy: towsonu2003@gmail.com QAContact: qa@suse.de I am just going to quote distrowatch on this: "Novell, what have you done now? Was this really necessary? As the news about the partnership between Novell and Microsoft hit the wires[1], many Linux users and community news sites expressed extreme bewilderment and utter disbelief over the deal. Although the agreement has more to do with software patents and mutual protection from law suits -- and is therefore better suited for analysis by sites that know more on the subject (see Groklaw's Novell Sells Out[2] and The Morning After[3]) -- this sentence[4] from Microsoft's CEO Steve Ballmer makes it very clear what the deal means for the world's largest software company: "If a customer says, 'Look, do we have liability for the use of your patented work?' Essentially, if you're using non-SUSE Linux, then I'd say the answer is yes." That statement is enough to convince any Linux user that this is not an agreement that should be applauded and that Novell has done a terrible disservice to the Linux community at large. What a huge disappointment after several years of being an absolutely wonderful community player!" Hence, opensuse should claim its independence from Novell and stay with the community. Partnership with Microsoft is a blocker for too many Linux users to ignore... [1] http://www.microsoft.com/presspass/press/2006/nov06/11-02MSNovellPR.mspx [2] http://www.groklaw.net/article.php?story=20061102175508403 [3] http://www.groklaw.net/article.php?story=20061103073628401 [4] http://www.freesoftwaremagazine.com/node/1851 -- Configure bugmail: https://bugzilla.novell.com/userprefs.cgi?tab=email ------- You are receiving this mail because: ------- You are on the CC list for the bug, or are watching someone who is.