[Grieryaliny]

http://www.computerworld.com/action/...intsrc=hm_list

From the article in the above link, dated today, Balmer says:

[Ballmer was more open today.
"Novell pays us some money for the right to tell customers that anybody who uses SUSE Linux is appropriately covered," Ballmer said. This "is important to us, because [otherwise] we believe every Linux customer basically has an undisclosed balance-sheet liability."]

He also said in this: [Ballmer did not provide details during his comments today. But he was adamant that Linux users, apart from those using SUSE, are taking advantage of Microsoft innovation, and that someone -- either Linux vendors or users -- would eventually have to pay up.

"Only customers that use SUSE have paid properly for intellectual property from Microsoft," he said. "We are willing to do a deal with Red Hat and other Linux distributors." The deal with SUSE Linux "is not exclusive," Ballmer added.]

[Yessaniloas]

"But he was adamant that Linux users, apart from those using SUSE, are taking advantage of Microsoft innovation, and that someone -- either Linux vendors or users -- would eventually have to pay up."

Microsoft innovation? Now THAT'S funny.

[alecoplesosse]

Microsoft innovation? Now THAT'S funny.

Exactly.

I'm still wondering exactly what it is they claim Linux is infringing on.

[choollaBard]

Microsoft innovation? Now THAT'S funny.

Couldn't have said it better myself. MS has been chasing everyone else's tails since day one.

[AngegepeM]

Exactly.

I'm still wondering exactly what it is they claim Linux is infringing on.

I'd Guess Samba.

I think the real reason is to lock Suse into using the GPL version 2. GPL version 3 will be used by FSF for all the software they produce. If Novel is locked into some kind of patent contract that violates the terms of the GPL 3 then Suse will not be able to use anything under that version of the GPL. They will be locked into and forced to fork all code that gets revised under the new GPL. The result is that SUSE will be dead in the water unable to keep it's own software upto date or forced to spend mountains of resources forking EVERYTHING.

IMO Suse is dead folks. Which is very annoying as that is MY distro of choice simply because of YAST.

[ClapekDodki]

Yast does look nice.

The suse desktop is supposed to be nice also I hear.

[alecaf]

i'm just waiting for someone to reverse engineer directx, so I can abandon microsoft completely.

[heinz_1966]

i'm just waiting for someone to reverse engineer directx, so I can abandon microsoft completely.

I'm afraid Directx 10 & VISTA is going to make things very bad for Linux Gaming.

[ZX3URrBH]

I'm afraid Directx 10 & VISTA is going to make things very bad for Linux Gaming.

There's ever been anything GOOD in Linux gaming????

[bixlewlyimila]

There's ever been anything GOOD in Linux gaming????

Well, there was Loki entertainment. until they folded.
Also, people run World of warcraft on linux!

Ummm....... well at least openGL games were usable on linux.
I never actually spent the time to get them to work.
But i've read people do it.

Ok, Linux gaming is bleak.