What's that old saying? Keep your friends close and your enemies closer. This reminds of that.
Microsoft Corp. has embraced Novell Inc.’s open-source software platform, forming a technological truce between two longtime antagonists who want to make it easier for the still-dominant Windows operating system and the increasingly popular Linux system to work together.
This is potentially a big deal. Not surprisingly, it involves Bill Gates.
Alliances are generally good for the allying parties, but not necessarily good for everyone else.
The agreement announced Thursday between the world’s largest seller of patent-protected software and a leader in the open-source software movement has potentially important business, technical and legal implications.
You think? Some experts believe this will have limited impact.
The alliance is primarily aimed at the growing number of major companies and government agencies that rely on elements of Redmond, Wash.-based Microsoft’s Windows and Linux to run their computers.
“It all comes down to recognizing there is a mixed environment out there,” Microsoft Chief Executive Officer Steve Ballmer said during a Thursday press conference.
We're being told that this will not impact most of us.
The partnership’s impact on consumers appears to be inconsequential except for a commitment to improve the interaction between Microsoft’s top-selling suite of Office software and a free alternative known as OpenOffice.
"Appears to be". Famous last words. Want to talk about this in 18 months and see what's what? Keep your eyes open and a tight grip on your wallet.
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