Again, MS does work with its competitors. :)
From the afternoon newswire.
_____________________________________________
*http://online.wsj.com/article/SB116249026689311557.html*<http://online.wsj.com/article/SB116249026689311557.html>
Microsoft to Announce Linux Partnership
By ROBERT A. GUTH
November 2, 2006 2:16 p.m.
Microsoft Corp. is entering into an unusual partnership with Novell Inc.
that gives a boost to the Linux operating system, a rival to the software
giant's Windows software, according to people familiar with the companies.
Under the pact, which isn't final, Microsoft will offer sales support of
Suse Linux, a version of the operating system sold by Novell. The two
companies have also agreed to develop technologies to make it easier for
users to run both Suse Linux and Microsoft's Windows on their computers. The
two companies are expected to announce details of their plan today at a
press conference in San Francisco.
In addition, Microsoft won't assert rights over patents over software
technology that may be incorporated into Suse Linux, the people said.
Businesses that use Linux have long worried that Microsoft would one day
file patent infringement suits against sellers of the rival software.
The pact marks an unusual level of cooperation between two longtime
rivals. Microsoft has been battling all versions of Linux, but has faced
pressure to assure that customers can run both Windows and Linux without
problems.
By forging a peace pact with one seller of Linux, Microsoft could raise
pressure on Red Hat Inc., the leading provider of Linux, and a Novell rival.
Last week, Oracle Corp. announced that it would start selling its own
support for Red Hat's version of Linux, a plan that undercuts Red Hat's own
business, which is based on providing support and maintenance. Red Hat's
shares fell sharply after that announcement.
Novell, originally known for a network operating system called NetWare,
has also scrapped with Microsoft over sales of desktop application programs
after Novell bought Wordperfect Corp. and rights to the Quattro Pro
spreadsheet for more than $1.4 billion. Partly because of stiff competition
from Microsoft, Novell later sold those products for about $170 million; it
filed an antitrust suit in 2004 against Microsoft, seeking damages related
to the tactics Microsoft used in the applications-software market.
Microsoft Chief Executive Steve Ballmer is in San Francisco to announce
the pact. Spokesmen for Microsoft and Novell couldn't be reached for
comment.
