Microsoft, Novell Make Nice Over Linux

A history of network competition and some contentious patent issues between the two companies have been overcome with the announcement that Microsoft and Novell will collaborate on making Vista and SuSE Linux more interoperable and manageable. The broad scope of the agreement between Novell really masks the enmity the two companies have had over the years. They used to get along about as well as Russell Crowe and Joaquin Phoenix did at the end of CodeWeavers who sell Crossover software that allows Windows applications to run on Linux systems can't be real thrilled with the announcement. Those who think the deal comes in response to Oracle entering the Linux market with its Unbreakable Linux distribution and support services that undercut Red Hat's prices would be mistaken. Microsoft said negotiations with Novell have progressed for several months, well in advance of the Oracle disclosure. One-time Microsoft blogger Robert Scoble Del.icio.us | Digg | Reddit | Furl Bookmark Murdok: David Utter is a staff writer for Murdok covering technology and business.