- Site menu:
- Latest Discussions
- Latest Newswire
- Archives
- Submit Story
- Story HOWTO
- Syndicate
- E-mail Alerts
Novell: Linux Desktop Losses Equal Server Gains
Novell is losing money in the desktop Linux market, but those desktop deals are driving big wins in the server arena. A case in point: Novell's desktop Linux relationship with Lenovo -- the big PC maker -- will extend to servers this September, The VAR Guy has confirmed. Here's the scoop. |
|
|
Comments (5)
>> "Interesting to see Novell finally figure out how MS beat them at their own game a decade ago."
I think there's a lot of truth in the thought that MS did beat them at their own game. But I don't see how you reached the conclusion that Novell has only just now figured it out. The article doesn't seem to support that.
I think there's a lot of truth in the thought that MS did beat them at their own game. But I don't see how you reached the conclusion that Novell has only just now figured it out. The article doesn't seem to support that.
Novell has played with desktop technologies as far back as the DR-DOS acquisition in the early 90's.. They've been talking more recently (since the Suse acquisition) about a desktop-to-datacenter solution, but their approach as always been kind of fragmented and hit or miss. It's just very recently that Novell as an entity seems to have found the will to keep pushing desktop solutions forward, more out of vital need than anything else I suspect.
It's not so much that they've just figured out what happened, it's more that they're finally starting to get some focus, and traction under "the plan". I think the idea that this must pan out for them to continue to grow has a lot to do with this new momentum.
Ultimately, in addition to being good exposure for Linux in general, I think it's good for other technologies as well. Utilizing eDirectory and AD in a mixed environment for example forces interoperability issues to the front. These can be answered by LDAP compatibility at least, and hopefully standardization towards the open specification. While both Novell and Microsoft would love to keep their customers paying for their solution, such competition at least opens the window to other options, so to speak.
Mind you, I don't have any problem with paying for any such solution - open or proprietary. But that should be a choice made by the users based on cost versus productivity return. It shouldn't be forced because they have only one option. Any competition is good, competition that can lead to more open solutions is better.
It's not so much that they've just figured out what happened, it's more that they're finally starting to get some focus, and traction under "the plan". I think the idea that this must pan out for them to continue to grow has a lot to do with this new momentum.
Ultimately, in addition to being good exposure for Linux in general, I think it's good for other technologies as well. Utilizing eDirectory and AD in a mixed environment for example forces interoperability issues to the front. These can be answered by LDAP compatibility at least, and hopefully standardization towards the open specification. While both Novell and Microsoft would love to keep their customers paying for their solution, such competition at least opens the window to other options, so to speak.
Mind you, I don't have any problem with paying for any such solution - open or proprietary. But that should be a choice made by the users based on cost versus productivity return. It shouldn't be forced because they have only one option. Any competition is good, competition that can lead to more open solutions is better.
I think I now understand what you meant.
Microsoft ascended to a competitive position in the server market by first tackling the desktop. Novell and Ubuntu are now attempting to do likewise.
Is that pretty much it?
Microsoft ascended to a competitive position in the server market by first tackling the desktop. Novell and Ubuntu are now attempting to do likewise.
Is that pretty much it?
Oh sure, go ahead and make it simple. :)
I think the industry is fundamentally different than when Novell started out on the back end, Bill Gates got into the game at the right time, and expanded his focus to the back end in a very effective manner. The lessons learned there shouldn't be overlooked, and I think Novell's learned this the hard way.
There have been lots of discussions here on how important (or not) growth of the linux desktop market is, and on how best to approach it. It will be interesting to watch things unfold for the major Linux players and their differing strategies.
I think the industry is fundamentally different than when Novell started out on the back end, Bill Gates got into the game at the right time, and expanded his focus to the back end in a very effective manner. The lessons learned there shouldn't be overlooked, and I think Novell's learned this the hard way.
There have been lots of discussions here on how important (or not) growth of the linux desktop market is, and on how best to approach it. It will be interesting to watch things unfold for the major Linux players and their differing strategies.
Post a comment
A free account is needed to post. Write your comment here first: your text is kept in this browser while you sign up or log in, and is waiting for you when you come back.
Your message:Markdown: **bold**, *italic*, [text](https://link), - lists, > quotes, $x^2$ for math. Formatting help
Sign up and post (it is free) or Log in and post
It's interesting (and gratifying) to see vendors and users start to realize that computing does not necessarily equal windows. Whether you approve of the politics or the players, such progress opens up opportunities for the "community" on all fronts.