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The article reflects on the deals made by Microsoft Corp. to the Chinese market, which seem to become an expense on the part of Linux and open-source software. The author explains that the deal promised to be a major coup for Linux and for Sun Microsystems Inc., which would make it the largest Linux player in the world. However, he states that these deals are not built to extend the reach of Windows in China but to defend that reach from open-source encroachment.

The author discusses the consequences of the agreement made by the two software companies, Microsoft Corp. and Novell, to collaborate their respective products, Windows and SUSE Linux. He points out that the new alliance should represent new opportunities for IT deployment as both companies have promised to work together in improving virtualization technology and server management technologies. In addition, he emphasizes that the alliance, which will extend until 2012, will help address risk because it includes patent sharing. Microsoft has provided a covenant not to enforce its patents for any users or developers of SUSE Linux.

Several letters to the editor are presented in response to blogs in the informationweek.com. One reader expresses his appreciation for the blog on Microsoft Vista and points out that Microsoft is on the decline. Another reader responds to the blog about Linux. A third reader responds to the blog on the impact of Hurricane Katrina on information technology.

The article reports on the fraction of the Linux community over Microsoft Corp.'s claims on open source operating system patent infringement. Paris-based Linux vendor Mandriva is not interested in signing a licensing deal with Microsoft to avoid infringement claims. In addition, Mandriva's declination is followed by Red Hat Inc. and Canonical Ltd. However, in July 2007, Microsoft announced collaboration agreements with Xandros Inc. and Linspire Inc. It is agreed that patent covenants freed them of any charges that their Linux distributions infringe on Microsoft intellectual property.

The article reports on the $100 million worth of support vouchers by U.S.-based Microsoft Corp. for Novell Inc.'s SUSE Linux operating system, as part of a partnership deal between them. It is noted that Microsoft Corp. resells the vouches to customers looking to run mixed installations of Windows and SUSE Linux systems. Furthermore, Novell Inc. has signed their patent cross-licensing and software interoperability deal. SUSE Linux support vouchers worth of $157 million are claimed to be redeemed by Microsoft Corp. customers.

The article presents the author's view on how the Microsoft/Novell partnership or Microvell has the potential for serious changes in the market for non-Windows commercial system software. According to the author, his major concern involves Advanced Server for Unix (ASU). ASU was an old Microsoft commercial offering which gave Window file/print interoperability to non-Windows operating systems. Novell has the permission to use the ASU and make it compatible with modern Window server releases and will be a standard purchase with every commercial Linux sale. Even if the author thinks that the revival of the ASU is a good thing, it means that Microsoft can subject Linux owners to enforcement of Microsoft licenses.

The article reports on the announcement of the Microsoft Corp. concerning a deal to promote the use of Novell Inc. SUSE Linux operating system alongside Windows in mixed server environments. According to the report, Microsoft does not plan to sell or support SUSE Linux under its deal with Novell, but instead, it will recommend the software to Windows users who want to add Linux systems. Microsoft will be purchasing also from Novell and then distribute about 70,000 coupons annually that entitle users to a year' worth of maintenance and support on SUSE Linux.

This article discusses developments in the computer, computer software, and computer services industries. Microsoft Corp. and the Bulgarian National Service for Combating Organized Crime cooperated in an investigation of Internet fraud and the arrest of eight people that used fake Web pages carrying Microsoft logos. The Japanese government will impose 27 percent countervailing duties on the dynamic RAM chips of South Korea-based Hynix Semiconductor Inc. Yahoo! Inc. will open research institutes in Barcelona, Spain and in Santiago, Chile to focus on search-engine results, document categorization, and text mining. A joint venture is being established to promote Asianux's version of the Linux open source operating system.