Microsoft makes Linux pact with Novell
In an unusual partnership, old foes Microsoft and Novell have joined forces to work on harmonizing their products.
The companies said Thursday they will collaborate on development of specific technologies, for example to help Microsoft's Windows, a proprietary operating system, work with Novell's Suse Linux, which is based on open-source code. On the business side, they will promote each other's products.
In addition, the software makers have struck a deal on patents designed to give customers peace of mind about using Novell's open-source products, Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer and Novell CEO Ronald Hovsepian said at an event here.
"This set of agreements will really help bridge the divide between open-source and proprietary source software," Ballmer said.
