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Novell is trying something different in the Linux world–it’s building compatibility with other Linux distributions. Meanwhile Microsoft continues to lure new users to Windows Vista and XP using cash deals with silver lining.By nature, open source projects encourage diverse responses to a common set of problems. When focused on a single project that can create solutions that leap ahead of the current status quo.

Unfortunately for Linux, that same diversity has allowed the creation of many different distributions of Linux. And, compatibility between them is spotty. Seeing an opportunity in those gaps, Novell just announced that its openSUSE Build Service will now allow the production of software for Red Hat Linux.

Novell writes “the openSUSE® Build Service, an innovative framework that provides an infrastructure for software developers to easily create and compile packages for multiple Linux distributions, has extended its support to now build packages for CentOS and Red Hat Enterprise Linux. The openSUSE Build Service already supports several Linux distributions including openSUSE, Ubuntu, SUSE® Linux Enterprise, Debian and others.”

This puts Novell in a position where it could graciously accept the position as a standards-setting entity. The company is certainly focused on winning over the hearts of developers, it writes:

“Developers who want to provide their software to a broader audience of Linux users are often hampered when packages built for one distribution will not work on other distributions. The openSUSE Build Service is the only open source build system that helps developers provide packages with the same high quality for multiple distributions from the same source code. With the system imaging tool KIWI, open source developers can more quickly build a Linux distribution that meets their needs, rigorously test it to ensure product quality, and easily package it for quick installation.”

In contrast with initiatives like this in the Linux world, Microsoft continues to target young audiences by giving away cash to schools and producing discounted versions of Windows XP for countries it chooses.

While money drives the economy, perception of value drives its exchange. That means Linux must continue to convince businesses and consumers that its value proposition is one of low cost, reliability, and compatibility in order to compete with a company like Microsoft.

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