So, we’ve all heard about the deal Microsoft is brokering with Novell’s Linux. When I first heard about this I thought to myself, ‘Awesome! Maybe we could see a new era of Microsoft and Linux working together to make it better for the end user.‘ Then I stopped hitting the crack pipe and realized Microsoft has no intention of working together for the benefit of the end user. They are a for profit business, and are jaded by the almighty dollar — and they are still bastards.

Last week’s announcement saw Microsoft announce that it will work with Novell on Windows/Linux interoperability, issue SUSE Linux Enterprise Server support vouchers to joint customers, recommend SUSE to those that want it, and promise not to sue SUSE Linux users or developers for patent infringement. (Source)

Let’s not forget that Novell carries many of the rights for UNIX, and there’s the big debate about how much of the UNIX code was used in the creation of Linux. So, just when I was starting to accept my place with Microsoft, this pops up. This is one of the big reasons I was a Linux head for so long. I ran nothing but Linux at home. The ease of use brought me back to the Microsoft side of the house. I mean, an enterprise domain, media center, and visual studio are some nice features of the Windows world. No such thing as a domain in Linux, we’ve got MythTV, and KDevelop. Of course the BIG reason I came back to the dark side was games. But, since one of my video cards has fried, I’ve been out of the gaming scene lately.

Anyway, it really bugs me that people attack Linux. It’s a beautiful project, and should be something we applaude. Not seek to destroy. One of the greatest things about Open Source is also its worst enemy. Open Source… It bugs me to know that anyone can inspect the source code of Linux and other Open Source projects and Microsoft’s code remains locked up tight. Thank god they aren’t known for stealing ideas or anything. I’m sure the all the code in Windows is completely original.

Oh well. Thanks for letting me vent about this. Now I have to decide if I’m going to go back to the righteous path of Linux, or trod along on the darkside with the rest of the world.