Since its release in 2004, Mono’s use by open-source developers has been controversial.  Individuals like Richard Stallman have warned programmers to keep away from the tool in the interest of avoiding patent lawsuits by Microsoft, which may be able to make a claim that certain components of the Mono stack infringe on its intellectual property.

Nonetheless, Mono has been used to build numerous open-source applications, including F-Spot photo manager and Tomboy notes, which have been included by default in the desktop version of Ubuntu for several releases.

Risks

While Microsoft and its partners have yet to announce any intent to challenge software developers and end users who run Mono, the risk that this could become a problem has prompted many mainstream Linux distributions to take evasive action.  Novell went to bed with Microsoft in 2006 to achieve a guarantee of immunity, while Red Hat and Fedora announced plans earlier this year to phase out the use of Mono in their default application line up.

Ubuntu’s defiant stance against the threat of lawsuit represents a unique position among major Linux distributions.  At the same time, it complicates Ubuntu’s image in the eyes of end users, particularly in professional environments, where a successful anti-Mono legal campaign would likely cause the most damage.

The decision to stick with Mono therefore places Ubuntu in a difficult position as it works to capture more of the lucrative enterprise market from competitors like Red Hat and Novell.  Disappointment with Ubuntu’s choice is real, as one end user made clear when he threatened to switch his organization to Fedora.

Example to others

While its position on Mono presents some risks and harms the operating system’s image among corporate customers and free-software militants, Ubuntu’s decision should serve as an inspiration to other Linux distributions.  Surrendering to a theoretical legal threat before it has any tangible traction is not the way to innovate or advance the cause of free software.

After all, Linux faced numerous similar challenges in its early days, like the underhanded attempt by a malicious individual in the early 1990s to patent the word “Linux.”  Rather than cowardly backing away from such attacks by selling out to the transgressors or abandoning the Linux name, the nascent free-software companies at the time pooled their resources and successfully overcame the challenges.

Let’s hope that Ubuntu’s example on the Mono issue inspires other distributions to give developers the freedom to use whichever tools they like, while promising support in the event of a lawsuit.  Otherwise, they can expect to be divided and conquered by a bit of sabre rattling from Microsoft.

Am I suggesting that Canonical is abandoning potential support revenue from Ubuntu? Certainly not. Rather, I’m pointing to a range of services built around Ubuntu.

Three quick examples include:

1. Ubuntu One: The online storage and file sharing system is in beta test now. The first 2GB are free; 10GB of storage costs (US)$10 per month.

• The Opportunity: 12 percent of WorksWithU readers say they’re willing to pay for Ubuntu One. That figure, based on a reader poll we conducted in June, may sound low. But I think it’s a reasonably good figure.
• The Challenge: Ubuntu One only works with Ubuntu 9.o4. No Windows. No Mac OS X. I move between Mac OS X and Ubuntu regularly… and I wish Ubuntu One allowed me to share files between those two systems.

2. Ubuntu Enterprise Cloud Services: Professional services designed to help and support customers building private clouds, according to Canonical.

• The Opportunity: No doubt, CIOs and business executives are trying to figure out how to build and maintain secure private clouds that drive down IT costs but increase information sharing.
• The Challenges: Do CIOs really think of Ubuntu when they think of clouds? Canonical is going to need  some big-name partners for the Ubuntu Enterprise Cloud Services. (Collect call to IBM…). Meanwhile, Red Hat has announced a cloud certification/partner program, and Amazon.com — a powerful brand in cloud computing — is the first named partner.

3. Landscape: A support and management tool that allows IT managers to remotely administer Ubuntu systems.

• The Opportunity: Canonical could take Landscape in multiple directions. Canonical itself could become a managed service provider that remotely administers customers’ Ubuntu networks, much in the way that Dell launched ProManage Managed Services to remotely manage customer systems. Canonical could also promote Landscape as a platform for VARs and resellers to use to remotely manage customer networks.
• The Challenges: Landscape remains a work in progress. Until Ubuntu more deeply penetrates corporate networks, Landscape won’t be able to fully flex it’s own muscles.

Smart Strategy

Generally speaking I like Canonical’s decision to pursue revenue opportunities outside of the base Ubuntu operating system support services.

Think of it this way: Cisco Systems has a core operating system (IOS), but Cisco made its profits on a range of solutions built around that operating system.

Or think of it this way: Netscape originally made its money around a core product (the Navigator browser). But when the browser market became a zero-sum revenue game, Netscape didn’t have strong enough alternative revenue streams.

No doubt, Microsoft wants to crush Canonical before Ubuntu is a financially viable, self-sustaining operating system. Canonical is wise to put a few additional irons in the fire.

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First, cloud computing seems to be Canonical’s best chance to accelerate Ubuntu Server Edition deployments. Second, The VAR Guy wonders if Canonical will find a way to pull partners — integrators, managed service providers and VARs — into this private enterprise cloud strategy.

Server Challenges, Cloud Opportunities

As The VAR Guy has noted multiple times, Canonical is working overtime to build Ubuntu Server Edition relationships with hardware vendors (Dell, Hewlett-Packard, IBM, Lenovo, etc.) and major ISVs (independent software vendors). So far those efforts are yielding mixed results. Just last week, Dell insiders said they had no plans to offer Ubuntu Server Edition on Dell PowerEdge servers.

Cloud computing potentially allows Canonical to circumvent the server pre-load debate, injecting Ubuntu Server Edition directly into multiple cloud opportunities — including Amazon Web Services, Ubuntu Enterprise Cloud and now private clouds.

To rewind a bit, Canonical launched a technical preview of Ubuntu Enterprise Cloud (UEC), an open-source system that enables organizations to build their own clouds that match the interface of Amazon Elastic Compute Cloud, according to Canonical. UEC is now available as part of the Ubuntu Server Edition technology stack.

Fast forward to the present. Canonical says:

“By creating private clouds with UEC, organizations can optimize server use and increase data-centre efficiencies, while lowering costs and providing end users with self-service IT. Ubuntu is the first Linux distribution to provide such a system and now Ubuntu Enterprise Cloud Services from Canonical help businesses build these environments with optimal efficiency.”

But here’s the challenge: Customers don’t buy cloud operating systems. They embrace cloud services to host specific applications (storage, backup/recovery, database, ERP, email, etc.). So, promoting Ubuntu for private clouds is only the start. Canonical needs to promote reliable ISV software stacks for Ubuntu in the cloud.

A case in point: Red Hat is now certifying cloud partners for their ability to support both Red Hat Enterprise Linux and JBoss middleware. Smart move.

Where Are the VARs?

Meanwhile, Canonical also needs to recruit and train more channel partners.

Already, VARs like OpenBI and Levementum have launched open source ERP, CRM and Business Intelligence applications into Amazon’s cloud. Yes, those VARs are profiting today from cloud computing. Canonical needs partners like that to help embrace and evangelize Ubuntu Server Edition.

To Canonical’s credit, the company has clearly articulated pricing and availability for Ubuntu Enterprise Cloud Services.

Yearly pricing for entry-level support for five physical servers and up to 25 virtual Ubuntu servers is $4,750 for 9×5 standard support and $17,500 for 24×7 advanced support. Additional support packs are available per physical server and per ten virtual servers for $1,250 p.a. for standard support and $3,000 p.a. for advanced.

But where’s the pricing and margin information for VARs and resellers? There’s nothing wrong with selling direct to end-customers. But in order to get the word out faster, Canonical needs partners.

The VAR Guy covers channel partner programs on his own site. Follow WorksWithU via Identi.ca, Twitter and RSS (available now) and our newsletter (coming soon).

First, some background: Ubuntu certainly has momentum on the desktop. But Canonical is evangelizing Ubuntu on servers as well. And that effort requires enterprise software partners, as Matt Asay points out.

What’s Missing

When Ubuntu 9.04 launched in April 2009, Canonical CEO Mark Shuttleworth said Ubuntu’s server edition had been tested on 45 different server configurations from Dell, IBM, Hewlett-Packard, Lenovo and other server suppliers. More recently, Canonical has launched server training through partners like Fast Lane and Bridge Education. And HP in June 2009 began certifying some ProLiant servers to run Ubuntu.

Nice. But Ubuntu still faces an uphill battle across…

1. Servers. Competing against Red Hat Enterprise Linux and Novell SUSE Linux won’t be easy. Last week, Dell insiders told The VAR Guy that Dell has no plans to pre-load Ubuntu Server Edition — even as Dell continues forward with Ubuntu on selected notebooks, netbooks and desktops. Simply put, Ubuntu needs more server sofware ISVs — including Oracle — to attract customers and hardware makers.

2. Desktops: As Windows 7 debuts, the noise around Windows and Mac OS will grow louder again — threatening to push back Linux’s recent desktop gains.

3. Netbooks: Windows 7 is one concern. But the bigger threats to Ubuntu come from the open source community itself. Google Android and Intel Moblin could potentially attract developer and OEM (original equipment manufacturer) attention away from Ubuntu on netbooks and mobile Internet devices (MIDs).

Oracle’s Challenges

Meanwhile, Oracle’s Unbreakable Linux strategy is… um… broken. Or stated more tactfully:

1. CIOs and VARs are not exactly banging on Oracle’s door for Linux. And the Windows Server-SQL Server combination remains a powerful one-two punch for Microsoft.

2. Red Hat is gaining momentum outside of Linux, promoting JBoss middleware against Oracle’s BEA and other middleware offerings. Yes, Red Hat is attacking — and succeeding — in a core Oracle market.

Oracle’s Opportunities

One simple solution: Oracle should partner more closely with Canonical on both the server and the desktop.

On the server, an Oracle-Ubuntu combination could emerge as a popular alternative to Oracle-Red Hat, Oracle-SUSE and SQL Server-Windows.

On desktops, Oracle will likely inherit close ties to the OpenOffice community as part of the Sun Microsystems acquisition:

“Sun continues to sponsor development on OpenOffice.org and is the primary contributor of code to OpenOffice.org.”

Together, Oracle and Canonical could use OpenOffice to achieve some common goals:

1. Further harm Microsoft’s desktop revenue stream.

2. Accelerate Ubuntu’s desktop momentum.

3. Offset any potential desktop gains by Red Hat and Novell.

Hot Speculation

The VAR Guy isn’t suggesting Oracle and Canonical are in discussions about a partnership. Besides, Matt Asay is the guy you need to blame if you think the Oracle-Ubuntu chatter is a waste of time. Matt got this ball rolling. The VAR Guy merely threw a third name (OpenOffice) into the Oracle-Ubuntu chatter.

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This quick Vodcast captures thoughts from Dell’s:

• Todd Finch (consumer Linux system opportunities);
• John Hull (Linux server and desktop trends); and
• Doug Anson (Moblin’s potential for small mobile devices).

Coming Soon

In addition to the Vodcast above, I’ll be back soon with an in-depth blog entry describing Dell’s Linux strategy (servers, desktops and mobile) in greater detail. In fact, the blog entry will answer many of the questions WorksWithU readers submitted here.

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Key Questions…

1. Learnings So Far: It has been roughly two years since Dell started pre-loading Ubuntu on selected systems. What are Dell’s key learnings about the Ubuntu market so far?

2. Geographic Reach: In what countries does Dell offer Ubuntu? Which countries still need to be addressed, and why?

3. Additional Platforms: What are Dell’s thoughts regarding Ubuntu beyond PCs and laptops. Has Dell been testing Ubuntu on mobile internet devices (MID), smart phones, servers, appliances? Why or why not?

4. Additional Services: Canonical is beta testing new services like Ubuntu One (shared file storage/cloud storage), while continuing to expand services like Landscape. Will Dell test/offer those services to customers?

5.  The Dell-Canonical relationship: How often do the companies speak with one another, why, and where is the relationship going next?

Plus, I’ll weave in reader questions. Feel free to email me suggested questions or topics (joe [at] ninelivesmediainc.com) or post your thoughts below.

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To see the the WorksWithU 1000 so far, visit our WorksWithU 1000 center. Also, be sure to participate in the WorksWithU 1000 survey. We’ve received more than 380 survey responses to date, and we intend to march quickly toward  1,000 responses.

What’s Next From WorksWithU

Here are four ways we plan to compile and examine the survey data:

1. Plot Ubuntu Business Deployments Globally: Using Google Maps, we’ll show readers where Ubuntu Server Edition and Ubuntu Desktop Edition are taking hold — country by country, region by region.

2. Explore Server Trends: We’ll explore the key business drivers for deploying Ubuntu Server Edition.

3. Profile Key Ubuntu Evangelists: Who are the IT managers and business managers driving corporate Ubuntu deployments? We’ll be interviewing dozens of business and technology managers who bet their businesses on Ubuntu.

4. Pinpoint Continued Challenges: We know. Ubuntu needs more certified application support from major independent software vendors. It also needs more pre-load agreements on servers and desktops. Through our follow-up interviews with Ubuntu business users, we’ll document how today’s organizations are procuring Ubuntu-based systems and applications.

Join the discussion and help us to shape the WorksWithU 1000 research.

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In his announcement of the package that makes branding possible, named branding-ubuntu, developer Scott Ritchie mentions only a handful of Gnome games as possible candidates for the change.  The backs of cards in FreeCell Solitaire, for example, could display a Koala for the release of Ubuntu 9.10.  This cute touch-up would be innocent enough.

Going too far

The wiki page for the branding package, however, proposes advertising Ubuntu in the splash screens and about screens of major third-party applications like OpenOffice and GIMP.  A move like this would be a very unwise decision.

OpenOffice, GIMP and most other productivity applications are not developed by Ubuntu, and presenting them to users in a way that emphasizes Ubuntu is not in anyone’s interest.  It’s unfair to the third-party developers who do the hard work maintaining the applications, and it’s dangerous for Ubuntu, which will be held accountable by unassuming users for any deficiencies in the upstream software that it brands as its own.

The equivalent of a decision like this in the proprietary world would be unthinkable–and probably illegal.  If Microsoft embedded a splash screen into Firefox reminding users that their web browser runs on Windows, or if Apple branded the OS X version of Microsoft Office with its own artwork, there would be hell to pay, and for good reason.

Granted, the branding-ubuntu package would keep third-party artwork on the file system while defaulting to Ubuntu-specific images, which is somewhat reassuring.  In addition, applications would have to be modified to support the infrastructure, which would seem to give upstream developers some choice in the matter, since they could refuse to cooperate–but that wouldn’t stop Ubuntu’s package maintainers from patching the code to be compatible with Ubuntu artwork.

The fact that an application runs on Ubuntu doesn’t make it part of Ubuntu, and users should be kept aware of the distinctions between the operating system and the programs it runs.  Trivial changes to the artwork of games and generic applications is fine, but let’s hope this doesn’t go too far.

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First up are two household names: Amazon.com and Dell.

1. Amazon.com: Ubuntu 9.10, scheduled for an October 2009 arrival, will push far deeper into cloud computing. But in the meantime, Amazon and Canonical are quick to note that Ubuntu Server Edition for Amazon’s Elastic Compute Cloud (EC2) is available now.

Canonical’s cloud computing push gives Ubuntu a back door into the server market, where traditional pre-load deals with Dell, Hewlett-Packard and IBM can be tricky to develop (although Canonical and HP recently certified Ubuntu 9.04 on selected HP ProLiant servers).

2. Dell: Sure, niche PC suppliers like System76 and ZaReason deserve major applause for shipping quality Ubuntu systems. But Dell’s decision to offer Ubuntu on selected desktops and laptops in mid-2007 was a tipping point for Canonical’s move into mainstream computing.

More recently, Dell has added Ubuntu Netbooks to its product mix.

Is Dell a perfect Ubuntu partner? Certainly not. International readers often complain to The VAR Guy that Dell Ubuntu systems are not available in their countries.

Also, Dell typically waits considerable time before pre-loading the most current Ubuntu release on its systems. As of June 22 2009, Dell was still shipping Ubuntu 8.04 (released in April 2008) rather than Ubuntu 9.04 (April 2009 debut). The reason: Dell likes to test, test, test Ubuntu.

Still, Dell is a big name — and a big reason why Ubuntu has gained momentum with thousands of consumers and small businesses, The VAR Guy believes. Our resident blogger is visiting Dell on June 26 and will seek an update on Dell’s Ubuntu strategy.

Now, Two Names You Don’t Necessarily Know

Meanwhile, Canonical is quietly striving to bolster training, education and certification around Ubuntu Server Edition, Ubuntu Desktop Edition and related Canonical services (such as Landscape).

That’s where (3) Bridge Education and (4) Fast Lane enter the picture. The companies operate IT training and education centers that essentially blanket North America, notes Fast Lane’s Marc Alumbaugh.

Not by coincidence, Canonical knows it needs to train thousands of folks in order to accelerate Ubuntu’s momentum in the IT channel and within businesses. A case in point: Red Hat has trained nearly 40,000 IT pros on Red Hat Enterprise Linux. And many of those pros will converge on the Red Hat Summit in Chicago this September 2009.

Meanwhile, Canonical needs to walk before it can run in the IT channel. That’s where new training initiatives, launched in May 2009, enter the picture. Fast Lane’s Alumbaugh says he and Bridge Education representatives are on the phone regularly with Billy Cina, Canonical’s training programmes manager. Their discussions focus on further accelerating Ubuntu training.

You can bet The VAR Guy is trying to listen in.

Regardless, Bridge Education and Fast Lane could emerge as two of Canonical’s most important channel partners going forward.

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The ten bugs slated for correction so far mostly involve ambiguous user dialogues or interface inconsistencies.  None of them on its own is enough to turn someone off to Ubuntu, but added up, they detract substantially from the Ubuntu experience.

Additional bugs that have been identified as potential targets for the paper-cut campaign similarly represent seemingly trivial issues that, together, negatively impact the smoothness and professionalism of Ubuntu.

Three cheers for Ubuntu

While bugs like these seem minor in comparison to show-stopping problems like broken graphics drivers or missing wireless support, the Ubuntu developers, and Canonical’s “Design and User Experience” team, deserve credit for recognizing that issues that appear trivial to geeks can be major obstacles to normal people trying to use Ubuntu.

The Ubuntu developers should also be commended for resisting the temptation, all too common in open-source development, to blame problems on upstream programmers and refuse to address them.  While a majority of the bug reports for the first ten paper cuts were initially dismissed as issues that required patching upstream, Ubuntu’s teams have now recognized them as problems that they can and must address.

Let’s hope this marks a new trend in bug tracking where downstream developers are willing to take on issues that aren’t their fault, no matter how trivial they may appear.

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