http://blogs.zdnet.com/Bott/?p=167

"The Wall Street Journal (subscription only link) reports that Microsoft and Novell are going to announce an "unusual partnership" today: "

hmmm.. this could get interesting...

This is an old strategy of Microsoft's. If it looks like you might be in danger of losing the race, put another horse on standby.

Back when Windows was young, Microsoft also banked on an OS collaboration with IBM, and invested in Unix company SCO. Just in case Windows didn't catch on, Gates wanted to be ready to jump on, and customize, a version of Unix.

Microsoft is obviously worried about Windows once again. Make no mistake, it's Google that's causing the worry.

I've been watching the Web-streamed press conference, and posted my analysis at http://richardbrandt.blogs.com/richard_brandt_on_google/2006/11/microsoft_and_n.html
if anyone is interested.

[breaking news]

Microsoft to pay Novell $348 mln under Linux pact

http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601087&sid=awr5cklv0g7U&refer=home