Glyn Moody’s take on the Novell deal, coming to it as he does with a strong Free Software/Open Source perspective is worth a read…

What’s new about the Novell deal? (h-online.com)

Will Attachmante develop it or sell it? The future looks fair according to Forrester Analysts. I agree, in fact I’m even more optimistic, whatever the short term future brings I think it will be bright longer term for SUSE. Anyway, have a read of this article for yourself…

What will be the fate of SUSE Linux? (computerworlduk)

Microsoft’s central role in Novell’s acquisition is likely to hurt the trust it had begun to build with open source, according to Savio Rodrigues at infoworld…

Microsoft loses with prominent role in Novell deal (infoworld)

Also worth a read…

Novell sale shows its control by Microsoft (zdnet)

As the dust well maybe not settles but thins a little it’s notable that we are seeing more thoughtful and considered articles. That and the same comments we’ve read elsewhere reaching the furthest audiences. I give you then, the latest articles I’ve come across relating to the Novell Merger…

Microsoft and Attachmate were not Novell’s destiny (The Register)

Legacy-Loving Attachmate Shells Out $2.2 Billion for Novell (itjungle.com)

Novell, Attachmate and openSUSE (news.opensuse.org)

Unix copyrights to stay with Novell in merger (CNET)

Who will buy Novell no longer a question (networkworld.com)

In an article for ZDNet, Manek sinks to the journalistic gutter with his misleadingly titled “Farewell, Novell”. Shame on you Manek and on ZDNet for putting out this kind of rubbish. Big changes are afoot, time will tell what they truly bring, but this article contributes nothing to the debate. Look elsewhere readers for informed comment on this subject, but feel free if like me you feel inclined to comment on this shameful piece of work…

Farewell, Novell (ZDNet)

There is an awful lot of hot air being spouted by bloggers about Novell and these deals. I’ve found a couple of articles well worth a read, the first by The VAR Guy offers an intelligent assessment of some of the factors at play and questions that need answering. Which leeds neatly to the second link which is to an article by The-Source.com who have researched what patents and IP are likely to be included in the deal with the Microsoft backed consortium who are to buy 882 patents/IP’s from Novell (excluding the UNIX IP’s which will stay with Novell).

Novell Acquired: 11 Questions About the 2-Part Deal (thevarguy.com)

What Patents is Novell Selling? (The-Source.com)

Since the announcement of Novells pending merger with Attachmate speculation has been rife about Microsofts involvement. Understandible given the less than transparent manner in which they have sometimes conducted themselves. No doubt to allay these fears John Dragoon of Novell has put out the notice which you can read at the link below:

Important Message from John Dragoon, Chief Marketing Officer—UNIX Copyrights

For a taste of the kind of speculation that has begun check out the following article by self styled Cyber Cynic Steven J.Vaughan-Nichols for Computerworld:

Who really bought Novell? Microsoft.

Other related articles:

Unix copyrights to stay with Novell in merger (cnet)

Attachmate To Retain Novell Unix Copyrights (slashdot)

A couple more interesting articles giving their perspective on the Novell and Attachmate merger…

Novell No More (networkcomputing.com)

Dark horse Attachmate buys Novell, Microsoft helps (Computerworld.com)

A couple relevant articles to draw your attention to…

Novell’s Acquisition by Attachmate Has A Microsoft Twist, But Red Hat is the Big Winner (ostatic.com)

Novell Sold – What Will Become of openSUSE? (ostatic.com)

Questions raised over Unix patent ownership. Lawrence Latif ponders whether Novell’s sale of assets to a Microsoft backed consortium has led to the Vole acquiring a number of Unix patents…

Microsoft led consortium buys Novell assets (TheInquirer.net)