Redmond (WA) – Microsoft wasn’t kidding when it announced a collaboration and Linux distribution agreement with Novell in November of last year: Building on the foundation the company created in November 2006, the company added Xandros its open source partner portfolio as a “preferred” Linux distribution provider.

In yet another “broad collaboration agreement” to more aggressively go after customers who are working in mixed operating system environments, Microsoft and Xandros today announced to work together to provide “system management” solutions and intellectual property assurances to bridge the gap between open source software and Microsoft’s commercial software offering.

Over a five-year period, the two companies agreed to develop interoperable and “heterogeneous management capabilities” in which Xandros will also implementing the WS-Management set of protocols in Xandros’ BridgeWays cross-platform management products and will license Microsoft’s server communications protocols for implementation in its Xandros Server software.

Perhaps most significantly, Microsoft appears to have found an ally in its intent to accelerate the adoption of the Open XML document format in the open source arena. Xandros said it will join Microsoft in developing an open source translator between Open XML and Open Document Format and include it in “upcoming releases” of its Xandros Desktop software.

On a side note, Microsoft also addressed intellectual property rights as part of the agreement: According to a press release, the company guarantees that Xandros technologies “are compliant with Microsoft's intellectual property.”

will license Microsoft’s server communications pro

Jun 04, 2007 12:13     

This is proabably the most important statement out of the whole article. I undertstand that even Linux variants need to charge some money, but this is literally Microsoft's way of getting its foot in the door. What I see coming from this is MS implementing features into Linux, charging for it, and then telling everyone else that its illegal for them to do it. I use MS products everyday, even enlist in their paid technology programs, but this I definetly do not want to see happen.

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As soon as they can give people a choice (I use tha...

Jun 04, 2007 12:51     

As soon as they can give people a choice (I use that term loosely) of a Linux distro that "the company guarantees that Xandros technologies “are compliant with Microsoft's intellectual property." then the lawers are dispatched. Move to Microsoft's Linux distro or be sued.
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Anti-competitive practices

Jun 04, 2007 13:52     

Time for the US government to step in and stop MS' attempt to subdue a strong independent competitor. The Linux community should rightfully consider companies participating with MS in this way turncoats and do everything possible to get them to stop this unhelpful (to put it mildly) behaviour.
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I could care less

Jun 04, 2007 14:58     

I've got my own favourite Linux distro , it's called Frugalware and you probably never heard of it. I don't really care who MS signs and agreement with, as long as there's code for something and that code is not stolen and under the GPK there's no problem for me to use it or the distro to include it. The can say what they want about pantents and other bullsh*t , I don't think they apply in the EU and I don't care about them even if they do.

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MS Virtual PC 2007 Support

Jun 04, 2007 20:18     

I'll become a true believer when Microsoft adds support for Linux on their virtual pc 2007 software.
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How can Xandros be compliant with Microsoft IP?

Jun 04, 2007 22:35     

How can Xandros be compliant with Microsoft's intellectual property while other distros are not? I mean Xandros uses the Linux kernel, X and so on just like the other 'non compliant' ones. If Xandros has modified these programs to NOT infringe, then doesn't the GPL require them to share those mods with the community?
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Anti-Competitiveness In Disguise

Jun 05, 2007 01:35     

Since most of he critical componants will be upgraded to use GPL version 3, I don't see how Xandros will remain a functional and secure platform for very long, if its trying to protect Microsoft's IP rights. "Because this deal was signed after March 28, 2007, Xandros will apparently be unable to distribute software licensed under version 3 of the GNU General Public License while party to the patent arrangement." http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Xandros I think we all we all owe Microsoft a huge round of applause for killing off the lame commercial versions of Linux by ensuring that they will never be able to deploy future enhancements or security fixes. Xandros is officially dead.

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Only one solution

Jun 05, 2007 10:08     

The only legal and fair way to resolve this is to do away with software patents. Until then, what Microsoft is doing is legal and fair. The only shady thing is that MS won't disclose exactly what IP is being used in Linux and until then, GNU/Linux contributors can't replace the technologies.
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Re: How can Xandros be compliant with Microsoft IP

Jun 07, 2007 11:16     

Mark Weston wrote, > How can Xandros be compliant with Microsoft's intellectual property while other distros are not? I mean Xandros uses the Linux kernel, X and so on just like the other 'non compliant' ones. If Xandros has modified these programs to NOT infringe, then doesn't the GPL require them to share those mods with the community? Mark, Xandros is presumably compliant not because its programs are modified, but because it has entered into an agreement with MS that covers any alleged IP infractions.

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RE: MS Virtual PC 2007 Support

Jun 08, 2007 05:44     

I've seen Ubuntu (recent version, can't remember which) running in Virtual PC 2007. The only problem was sound didn't work, as I recall.
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