Enterprise open source Toolkit

Story: Novell linked to 'Windows cheaper than Linux' statement

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TCO of Windows?

Bruce

Thanks for your comments. On being told about this story – by Microsoft's PR incidentally – I did ask for comment from HSBC but was told that the only spokesperson available was from Microsoft who I imagine would not have the kind of detailed knowledge of HSBC's implementation. I would obviously welcome a through interview with HSBC and would be prepared to publish a detailed case-study if you can make that happen?

I don't think anyone who lives in the real world would think that a certain amount of pragmatism is going to overtake the largely polarised attitudes between the open source and proprietary camps. Novell's relationship with Microsoft is a reflection of this (but there are also a lot of details to this deal which have not been publicly disclosed – particularly around the issue of patents – which continue to dog both companies). The reality for most large enterprises is that they are using both types of software and don't care about much of the ideological baggage.

However, ideology is a useful tool when it comes to marketing and Novell has capitalised on the enthusiasm – sometimes bordering on zealousness – that surrounds the open source movement. Let's not forget that Novell's former chief executive was making comments like this"[Microsoft] has sucked $60bn out of our industry that could have been used for innovation," and your present one, Ron Hovsepian recently said, "We're going to attack [Microsoft] vigorously and go after their footprint as much as we can".

Novell, it seems, is trying to have it both ways: appeal to the hard-core open source community and bask in the glow that that association brings – and profit from a relationship with Microsoft.

However it is fair to say I think that if it were not for the Microsoft deal, Novell would never dream of letting a statement that the TCO of Linux is more than Windows into one its press release – even if it is true, and that could well be so in HSBC's case if they have the number of build's you claim.

The problem I have, and ZDNet UK readers judging by the other Talkbacks to this piece, is the omission of a balanced quote (which I am sure Novell was pushing for) which discusses the reason that HSBC had that much Linux to begin with? HSBC is a smart and very successful organisation – it didn't get the sort of exhortative profits it enjoy today by investing in technology on ideological grounds – they know that it makes economic sense – so where is the reflection of that in the press release?

One of our team Colin Barker, will be attending Novell's BrainShare event in Salt Lake City next month so Novell should have plenty opportunity to discuss this issue and any others you have with our coverage.

Many thanks

Andrew Donoghue
Executive Editor
ZDNet UK

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