Ubuntu and Landscape: Canonical Connects the Dots

Canonical’s effort to diversify beyond Ubuntu Linux continue to accelerate. Even as the company preps Ubuntu 10.04 (Lucid Lynx) for April 2010 launch, Canonical is also promoting Landscape — a remote management tool — to resellers and end-customers. And there’s even a cloud management twist. Here’s the scoop.

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Ubuntu Linux for Mainframes? Not Quite…

linux mainframeCanonical wants Ubuntu Linux to run on a range of devices — from mobile Internet devices all the way up to high-end servers and cloud systems. But there are two markets where Canonical has no plans to push Ubuntu. Here they are.

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Ubuntu 10.04: Canonical Makes ISV Push

And so it begins. As Canonical puts the finishing touches on Ubuntu 10.04 — a long term support (LTS) release — the company also is reaching out to potential Linux server and desktop software partners. In fact, Canonical says there are at least 10 reasons why ISVs should embrace Ubuntu Desktop Edition, and nine reasons why developers should embrace Ubuntu Server Edition. Will partners embrace Canonical’s Ubuntu pitch? Here are some thoughts.

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Best Netbook OS: Windows 7?

In your opinion, what’s the best netbook operating system you’ve used? Be honest. Tell us. Over at Lifehacker.com, they  already asked the same question. So far, the leading answer is… (drum roll, please…): Windows 7. The other results may surprise you…

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Magnolia International Names U.S. Channel Chief

magnolia internationalFor the second time in recent weeks, an Alfresco veteran is making an open source career move. The latest news involves Andrew P. King jumping from Alfresco to rival Magnolia International as its new U.S. director of business development — essentially becoming Magnolia’s U.S. channel chief. Never heard of Magnolia? Year-over-year U.S. sales reportedly are surging 60 percent. Here’s a bit more about Magnolia, King and the company’s partner program.

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Ubuntu: Canonical’s Partner Program Scores 2 Wins

Canonical’s channel partner program for Ubuntu, the fast-growing Linux distribution, took two promising steps forward this week. One step involves a vote of confidence from a key consulting company. The other step involves a key move in the government market. Here are the details.

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Novell, Canonical Bolster Linux Certification and Training Efforts

linux certificationIn separate moves, Canonical and Novell are taking steps to bolster their respective Linux training and certification efforts. Here’s a look at the moves, and the implications for channel partners.

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Ubuntu for Business: Canonical Makes Major Hire

matt_asay canonical ubuntuIs Canonical serious about pushing Ubuntu into businesses? The company’s latest corporate move provides a clear answer. Indeed, Canonical has hired Matt Asay (pictured) — one of the open source industry’s best-known names — as its new chief operating officer. The move comes amid a CEO shift and several major product initiatives at Canonical. Here are some perspectives.

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Ubuntu Global Jam: Will Partners Pitch In?

Ubuntu Global Jam 2010Canonical and the Ubuntu community are busy polishing Ubuntu 10.04 (Lucid Lynx), a major upgrade set to debut in April 2010. But before the new Linux distribution arrives, the Ubuntu community will host an Ubuntu Global Jam from March 26 to March 28. The big question: Will customers and partners also join in the Jam? Should they? Here are some thoughts.

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Another Small Victory for Ubuntu Server Edition

ubuntu server edition mailspectEach day, the drumbeat for Ubuntu Server Edition is getting slightly louder. In recent weeks, a growing list of ISVs (independent software vendors) has vowed to support Canonical’s Linux server operating system. The latest example involves Mailspect launching antispam and email archiving solutions for Ubuntu Server.

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Ubuntu: More Apps, Lower Support Costs?

As Ubuntu 10.04 (Lucid Lynx) nears its April 2010 launch, Canonical is taking steps to make Ubuntu Linux more attractive to business customers. The efforts include new support pricing plus closer relationships with application developers. Here’s some analysis from The VAR Guy.

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Microsoft Attacks Lotus Notes Ahead of Lotusphere 2010

Microsoft vs IBM Lotus NotesMeow. Microsoft and IBM have resumed their 15-year-old email cat fight — only days before IBM kicks off Lotusphere 2010. Microsoft is promoting free training and three key channel partners — Binary Tree, CASAHL Technologies and Quest Software — to help customers migrate from Lotus Notes to Microsoft Exchange and SharePoint. Here’s the scoop.

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Canonical, IBM: Ubuntu Will Counter Windows 7 At Lotusphere

IBM Ubuntu LotusphereOnce again, The VAR Guy’s sources were right. Canonical, as our resident blogger expected, is set to announce some Ubuntu news at IBM’s Lotusphere conference in Orlando the week of January 18. The effort — which includes channel partners — will involve Canonical countering Microsoft’s Windows 7 push. Here’s the scoop.

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Strong Demand for Windows 7 Preorders

Microsoft has found a way to drive demand for Windows 7 even before the operating system ships this October. Backed by a special temporary price discount, Windows 7 preorders are a hit on Amazon.com and BestBuy.com.

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Technology Giant Plans Open Source Channel Partner Initiative

techdata-open-source-ecosystemTech Data, a $24 billion technology giant with deep Microsoft relationships, has developed a 24-month plan to emerge as “the voice for open source in distribution,” The VAR Guy has learned. The proposed strategy includes potential open source hardware solutions from Dell, Hewlett-Packard, IBM and Fujitsu. And it has broad implications for the software industry and the global IT channel. Here’s the scoop.

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Zoho Writer 2.0 Counters Google Apps, Microsoft Office

Zoho Writer 2.0 Counters Google Apps, Microsoft OfficeAt first glance, Google Apps and Microsoft are the horses to beat in the online software suite race. But The VAR Guy remains preoccupied with a dark horse called Zoho, which just launched Writer 2.0 and continues to gain moment across multiple software as a service (SaaS) fronts.

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Memo to Canonical: Call Monty Widenius

Canonical’s Mark Shuttleworth: Dial Monty Widenius
Imagine you are Mark Shuttleworth. You run Canonical, the company behind Ubuntu Linux. You’re eager to line up more independent software vendors (ISVs) and server partners. Meanwhile, Michael “Monty” Widenius — one of MySQL’s founders — has resigned from Sun Microsystems. Hmmm. The VAR Guy thinks Shuttleworth needs to dial Monty and say “Let’s Make a Deal.” Here’s why.

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Five Open Source Predictions The VAR Guy Got Wrong In 2008

The VAR GuyThe VAR Guy often crows about his successful predictions. But some of his blog posts — including a few about emerging open source solutions like Google Android and Ubuntu Server Edition — missed the mark badly in 2008. Time for The VAR Guy to take a break from holiday meals. Instead, he needs to eat some crow for these five open source statements that were off target in 2008.

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Mandriva Linux Attracts 2,000 Partners

Mandriva Linux Attracts 2,000 PartnersWhen it comes to Linux, most U.S. headlines involve Canonical, Novell or Red Hat. But another Linux distribution — from Mandriva S.A. of Paris, France — is making a name for itself in the global IT channel. Consider this: More than 2,000 IT partners have lined up to back Mandriva, up from about 1,200 in 2007, The VAR Guy has learned. Here’s the scoop.

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Unison and Canonical’s Ubuntu Attack Microsoft Exchange

Canonical, Unison, Ubuntu Attack Microsoft ExchangeUnison Technologies, with an assist from Canonical and Ubuntu Linux, says it is “launching a major threat to Microsoft Exchange.” Hmmm. The VAR Guy has heard similar grandstanding before from a range of companies. But Unison has caught our resident blogger’s attention a few times. Here’s why.

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Microsoft: Beware of IBM Dressed In Ubuntu Linux

IBM, Canonical Attack MicrosoftYes, The VAR Guy knows Bill Gates has left Microsoft. But now that Billionaire Bill is gone, IBM and Canonical are trying to destroy the very software empire he built. Specifically, IBM, Canonical and Virtual Bridges have launched a low-cost, virtualized Ubuntu Linux build for big — really big — corporate customers. No, this won’t kill Microsoft. But the IBM move is a big-time attack on Windows and Office. Here’s the scoop, along with the implications for Microsoft, Novell and Red Hat.

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Ubuntu Server Edition: Canonical’s Big Challenge

On desktops and Netbooks, it has been a stellar year for Canonical’s Ubuntu Linux distribution. But on the server, Ubuntu continues to face long-term challenges in terms of application and vendor support. Here’s the scoop from The VAR Guy.

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Microsoft Windows 7: Keep An Open Mind

Windows 7The VAR Guy woke up this morning and realized he needed a fresh start with Microsoft. For almost two years, our resident blogger has noted 10 mistakes Microsoft made with Windows Vista, and 10 ways to fix the situation. The VAR Guy ultimately jumped to Ubuntu Linux in mid-2007. But now — as Microsoft gears up for Windows 7 — it’s time for our resident blogger to reengage with the software giant. Here’s why.

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