Novell will make 'immature' Linux robust and reliable (ComputerWorld) [LWN.net]

Novell will make 'immature' Linux robust and reliable (ComputerWorld)

Posted Apr 16, 2003 20:06 UTC (Wed) by kmagnusson (guest, #10670)
In reply to: Novell will make 'immature' Linux robust and reliable (ComputerWorld) by BrucePerens
Parent article: Novell will make 'immature' Linux robust and reliable (ComputerWorld)

Bruce, thank you for the call today. I appreciate you bringing this to my attention. You've been most kind.

My name is Kristopher Magnusson; I chair Novell's Open Source Review Board that manages the use of open source software within Novell, and I am responsible for managing Novell's open source community relations, among other things.

It's clear to me from my perspective as a Novell insider that Novell management, including Jack Messman, clearly recognizes the tremendous value of Linux, despite anything that's been said elsewhere. I sit in the Linux strategy meetings and Jack and the entire senior management team are genuinely excited about our new Linux direction. We plan to invest an enormous amount of money, time, and resources to enhance Linux. We are fervent believers in the strengths of Linux and the proof is our commitment to deliver NetWare services on Linux.

The real message here is what Novell is doing to enhance Linux with additional software that our customers want. What we plan to offer to our customers with NetWare 7.0 is an enhanced Linux with special services--industrial grade NetWare file, print, and directory services for the enterprise, combined with Linux's proven reliability and scalability. We also will continue to offer the traditional NetWare kernel for our customers who wish to upgrade to the "classic" operating system.

Bruce, thank you again for your help. I didn't know about this web site and plan to visit it often now that you've brought it to my attention.

(Log in to post comments)

Novell will make 'immature' Linux robust and reliable (ComputerWorld)

Posted Apr 16, 2003 22:21 UTC (Wed) by cdmiller (subscriber, #2813) [Link]

"What we plan to offer to our customers with NetWare 7.0 is an enhanced Linux with special services--industrial grade NetWare file, print, and directory services for the enterprise, combined with Linux's proven reliability and scalability."

Kristopher,

Is Novell planning to use the Linux kernel for Netware 7.0? Or is this going to be something like the old Netware for UNIX products?

- cameron

Novell will make 'immature' Linux robust and reliable (ComputerWorld)

Posted Apr 17, 2003 3:26 UTC (Thu) by kmagnusson (guest, #10670) [Link]

Novell is indeed planning on using the Linux kernel. This is not going to be a rehash of the old NetWare for Unix product.

It's too early to say which kernel it will be . . . the product release is 18-24 months out. My educated guess is that it will be a 2.6.* kernel, though.

Novell will make 'immature' Linux robust and reliable (ComputerWorld)

Posted Apr 17, 2003 1:15 UTC (Thu) by purslow (guest, #8716) [Link]

"My name is Kristopher Magnusson; I chair Novell's Open Source Review Board that manages the use of open source software within Novell, and I am responsible for managing Novell's open source community relations, among other things. ... I didn't know about this web site" -- ie LWN --
and plan to visit it often now that you've brought it to my attention".

This character claims to be Novell's top man on open-source software
& he's never heard of Linux Weekly News ! Need anyone say any more ?

Novell will make 'immature' Linux robust and reliable (ComputerWorld)

Posted Apr 17, 2003 2:02 UTC (Thu) by erat (guest, #21) [Link]

Rather than demonize someone for their ignorance, why not educate them instead? That's what Bruce did, and it seems to have worked. You now have Novell's attention. That's a good thing, not something to snicker at.

The way some folks "welcome" companies to Linux makes me wonder why companies are bothering with Linux at all. The Novell comments from Brainshare were ill timed and definitely not smart in hindsight. I think we've all been in a similar situation and hoped that folks would be forgiving.

(Of course, if you were just joking, disregard this post...)

Novell will make 'immature' Linux robust and reliable (ComputerWorld)

Posted Apr 17, 2003 17:06 UTC (Thu) by Xanadu (guest, #1215) [Link]

Rather than demonize someone for their ignorance, why not educate them instead?

I second this.

If indeed this dude saying he is Kristopher is indeed Kristopher (Kris, it's the web, man... things ain't always as they seem...), he's doing something *VERY* cool. He's coming here and posting about his thoughts and answering questions and all that from under a glass celing. Perhaps anything he typed was "previewed" first, I don't know. But he has stopped by and told us all about what's going on.

As far as I can tell, he has nothing but good news to report. You, purslow (not erat) are doing nothing than make yourself an example of what is wrong with the "internet". The guy Kris came *HERE* to help out and to inform (as much as he legally can, I assume).

My hat is off to him.

OT: Signing posts

Posted Apr 18, 2003 7:26 UTC (Fri) by JLCdjinn (subscriber, #1905) [Link]

This does, interestingly enough, raise the issue of being able to authenticate postings. Is there any technology currently available which would allow digital signing of a post in an environment like this? How cool would that be? I can already invision how it would work (and I'm sure it's pretty much like how XML Signatures work, although I haven't had a chance to read the spec yet).

Back on topic - I was most astounded to see Kristopher posting here. Astounded and excited, though! I greatly look forward to seeing what the Novell + Linux combo will be able to produce. I agree with Xanadu - hats off to him.

Peace,

· John

Novell will make 'immature' Linux robust and reliable (ComputerWorld)

Posted Apr 17, 2003 3:19 UTC (Thu) by kmagnusson (guest, #10670) [Link]

Sorry to have offended you that I haven't heard of all the important open source web sites on the Web. I spend a lot of time at Novell trying to turn the corporation into one that is open source-friendly and that keeps me pretty busy--notice that my efforts are starting to pay off--today there's one more Linux/GPL company in the world. thanks.

Novell will make 'immature' Linux robust and reliable (ComputerWorld)

Posted Apr 17, 2003 11:48 UTC (Thu) by libra (guest, #2515) [Link]

Novell was one of the most important company I was expecting to see join the GNU/Linux movement. Now I feel confident this will bring to both Novell and GPL defenders big opportunities of development. Of course some may argue that Novell is only one out of many others already supporting GNU/Linux. But I really welcome Novell because I think they have something the GNU/Linux movement really share with them, an interest for quality of products before nearly anything else (even marketing and ease of administration...).