[Novalug] No FLOSS supporter will use SuSe? was Re: [Ma-linux] hell freezes over, and Microsoft, Novell join in Linux Pact

[Rich Goodwin]

On Mon, 2006-11-06 at 01:30 -0500, Jay Sulzberger wrote:
> nd, of course, no supporter of free software will use SUSE.
> SUSE has agreed to pay based on the mere threat of software
> patent claims.  Novell is now acting in favor of softwrae patents
> and against free software.
> 

<puzzled face>  
Your statement that "no supporter of free software will use SUSE" got my
attention.    What are you trying to say?  I, as an open source/free S/W
supporter, actually use SuSe... on several machines.  And, I even paid
for it several times.  Before I start parsing what "free" means ... ah
nostalig memories right in time with tomorrow! ... I would like to get
some clarification.  
</puzzled face>

I presume you are referring to the statement "that Microsoft will
provide “balance payments” to Novell, and Novell will pay royalties to
Microsoft for the use of its intellectual property" when saying this is
prohibited by the anti-trust settlement.  

<shrug>That is another interesting statement.  </shrug>

As I have not personally combed the anti-trust settlement agreement to
determine this is true, I'd tend to think that Novell's legal team would
have checked this out prior to signing something with M$.  Why waste
"good" money if it's not worthwhile?  That does not seem to compute in
my eyes - without delving into things.  

I understand your hesitation and treidation with the agreement.  What is
Microsoft's _real_ plan?  Excellent question.  I doubt that it is to
help Linux... the agreement is likely to 
   a) bolster foundation to attack the GPL somehow, 
   b) agree against IBM/HP/... to pay some royalties for some YTBD IP
      infringements and 
   c) erode RedHat's position in the non-MS arena.

This said - I believe we should review everything _both sides_ say and a
very very wary view.  But there could be goodness that comes out of
this.  While we look for the bad - let's look for the good.  Then we can
balance them and make a rational assessment.

OK.  The NOVALUG mail list is officially back.  ;-)

Rich

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