Microsoft to Partner with Novell to support Linux.

[zoiks]

Microsoft reported to strike a deal with Novell's open-source Linux
By Ryan Blitstein
Mercury News

Microsoft has entered into a partnership with Novell to support the Linux operating system, the Wall Street Journal has reported. The move would be a radical strategic departure for Microsoft, since it has been a staunch defender of its proprietary software against open-source Linux rivals.

The Redmond software giant would offer sales support of the Waltham, Mass., company's Suse Linux version of the open-source operating system, according to the Journal. Microsoft would also refrain from asserting patent rights over code contained in Suse Linux.

``That story is speculative,'' said a Microsoft spokeswoman who declined further comment.

Microsoft chief executive Steve Ballmer is in San Francisco for what the company described as an ``industry announcement'' later today.

Although Microsoft has long resisted open-source software's threat to its business, the company has slowly softened its stance, sharing some source code with partners and developers. It has even begun supporting some open-source projects, such as last fall's deal to make Java application server software JBoss (now part of Red Hat) work with its Windows operating system.

Earlier this week, the company announced a strategic relationship with Cupertino PHP software company Zend, conceding that not all Web developers would use Microsoft's .NET platform.

Novell's stock jumped 16.5 percent to $6.84 Thursday as of 1:05 pm.

Last week, Redwood City-based Oracle, another large proprietary software company, announced that it would support Red Hat's version of Linux and begin selling a Linux operating system largely composed of Red Hat code.