SCOs Suit Against IBM Sends Faithful Into Tizzy

0S/2 and Mac OS loyalists have always been known for their zeal, especially when it comes to defending their platforms of choice. But those groups seem downright cuddly compared with the Linux crowd when theyve got their dander up.

The Kitty heard The SCO Group may be facing the collective wrath of the Linux horde since recently filing a $1 billion lawsuit against IBM for allegedly misappropriating SCOs Unix trade secrets and technologies. According to a Tabby tattler, the Linux vendors partnered with SCO in the UnitedLinux consortium are being inundated with e-mail and phone calls from unhappy customers and partners in the open-source community, demanding that they sever all ties with SCO immediately. The tipster, an executive from one of the UnitedLinux partners, told His Hirsuteness that many in the Linux and open-source communities believe that SCO has betrayed them. But the company swears its action is aimed solely at IBM and not the Linux crowd.

"The community has vowed never to use or recommend another SCO product and are even threatening to boycott the other UnitedLinux partners if we dont sever our relationships with SCO," the tattler said. In fact, the tipster claimed SuSE Linux, the lead UnitedLinux technical partner, has already said it is re-evaluating its relationship with SCO, and consortium members are believed to currently be discussing the situation.

"Good game plan," mused the Mouser. "Sue a mammoth company and alienate all your business partners at the same time."

It seems Network Associates has once again decided not to exhibit at the upcoming RSA Conference, the annual cryptogeek lovefest in San Francisco. Word is that NA is still in the midst of a lengthy restructuring effort.

At last weeks Centrino launch in New York, Intel showcased its technology by conducting live feeds from various locales with folks using Centrino-based notebooks. One remote tester was a McDonalds exec stationed at a New York McDonalds, which had recently been Wi-Fi-enabled. Using his Centrino-based device, the exec tried to demo a conference with two colleagues at other locations via the device. As he tried to conduct his conference, it was quickly apparent to the attendees viewing the demo on the big screen at the Manhattan Center that his connection was somehow lost. Apparent to everyone, that is, except the exec, who went right on talking to both colleagues as if they were still on the line.

"Put a smile on, indeed," purred the Puss.

Check out the Katts latest Kattoon: "McDonalds to Offer Wi-Fi Access."

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