My take on Novell/SuSE/Linux/IBM/etc... is every once in awhile something happens that may alter the course of the Information Technology industry. I'm going out on a limb and saying I think this is such an event. The Linux kernel and distributions have come a long ways on the road of maturity in the last couple of years. Many of the behemoths in the industry, except Microsoft, are betting big bucks on the technology. At the same time, it looks like choices Microsoft seems to have made early on about security and reliability are now coming home to roost. During Microsoft's most recent conference call, Chief Financial Officer John Connors said earnings are already being hampered by corporate buyers who are holding back on purchases because of security fears. The Novell services stack is mature. Running it on Linux offers Corporate America a way to begin weaning themselves from Microsoft. Starting with eDirectroy and then possible NetMail are big wins. As the Linux desktop matures, there may be more incentive for Corporate America to get out from under Microsoft's thumb. The confluence of these events is what I think is altering the course of the Information Technology industry. Fortunately, this time around trying to re-invent its self, Novell has bought Linux and Open Source expertise and products. It's up to Novell to make it work. .....John ------------------------------------------------------------------------ John Telford - Owner - JohnTelford.com LLC 503-292-6865 - fax: 503-292-3094 Email: john@johntelford.com Web: http://www.johntelford.com Weblog: http://ITnews.johntelford.com