Novell Exec: Dont Fear Open Source, Embrace It
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Novell Vice Chairman Chris Stone opens OSBC 2004 by encouraging software vendors to consider how open source can complement and expand their business.
SAN FRANCISCO—Rather than viewing open source as a threat, IT software vendors must embrace the software development model and understand how it can fit into their core business, a Novell Inc. executive said in the opening keynote of the Open Source Business Conference 2004 here. "Those who fear the rise in open source just dont get it," said Chris Stone, Novell vice chairman in the office of the CEO. "What are you in business to do? This is about complements and substitutes—which open-source models pose a threat to your business and which pose an opportunity." The first-ever conference focused solely on open-source business models, OSBC 2004 is expected to draw about 700 attendees, organizers said. Software vendors and venture capitalists dominate the attendees, which also include a smattering of IT managers. Even Microsoft Corp., considered one of open sources archenemies, is a sponsor and speaking at the event.
Read more here about Novells NetWare Linux push in an eWEEK Labs review.
While focusing on how money can be made from open source, Stone also used his keynote to take a quick swipe at The SCO Group Inc.s CEO, Darl McBride. SCO, which is involved in a number of high-profile lawsuits claiming that Linux includes code from Unix code it owns, also has sued Novell.
"Sorry, Darl. Al Gore didnt invent the Internet and you didnt invent Linux or intellectual property law," Stone said, to a slight applause. "We believe that Unix is not in Linux and that Linux is a free and open distribution and should be and always will be."
One myth about open source is that rogue developers are controlling it. In reality, open-source developers are largely the same developers as those at major software companies and IT shops, and they follow a development process as strict and stable as proprietary development, Stone said.
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As an online reporter for eWEEK.com, Matt Hicks covers the fast-changing developments in Internet technologies. His coverage includes the growing field of Web conferencing software and services. With eight years as a business and technology journalist, Matt has gained insight into the market strategies of IT vendors as well as the needs of enterprise IT managers. He joined Ziff Davis in 1999 as a staff writer for the former Strategies section of eWEEK, where he wrote in-depth features about corporate strategies for e-business and enterprise software. In 2002, he moved to the News department at the magazine as a senior writer specializing in coverage of database software and enterprise networking. Later that year Matt started a yearlong fellowship in Washington, DC, after being awarded an American Political Science Association Congressional Fellowship for Journalist. As a fellow, he spent nine months working on policy issues, including technology policy, in for a Member of the U.S. House of Representatives. He rejoined Ziff Davis in August 2003 as a reporter dedicated to online coverage for eWEEK.com. Along with Web conferencing, he follows search engines, Web browsers, speech technology and the Internet domain-naming system.
