Dell joins Microsoft-Novell Linux alliance

When Microsoft Corp. (NASDAQ: MSFT) shook hands with Linux proponent Novell Inc. (NASDAQ: NOVL), it was questioned what the Windows software maker was up to. Was the open-source software world shaking hands with the devil? In some circles, this conspiracy theory has been twisted around quite a few times. Is a Microsoft and Novell partnership really going to be focused on extricating old but stable Unix platforms out of data centers in order to get their wares in the door and in use?

Maybe. The Microsoft and Novell alliance, though, has just scored its first home run to ensure that possible scenario does indeed happen. Dell Inc. (NASDAQ: DELL), the world's second-largest computer manufacturer (behind Hewlett-Packard), has just joined the Microsoft-Novell business collaboration to have open-source Linux software working with Windows.

Will Dell's alignment with the Microsoft-Novell alliance really allow the Windows and Linux environments to further entrench themselves into massive corporate data centers? Probably, but Dell doesn't have a stranglehold on this market or anything. Competitors like Hewlett-Packard, Sun and IBM are still heavy forces in that environment. Unseating even a piece of all that may not come easily, especially against protective IBM. So, for now, this Dell alignment is good PR, but the proof is in the performance pudding. Check back in late 2008.