Experts Give Sun/Novell Thumbs Down

Attention, Suse Linux customers: "Don't panic!"

It's not a Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy reference, but rather the message urged by Linux experts and analysts today, regarding this week's comments by Jonathan Schwartz, Sun Microsystems Inc.'s (Nasdaq: SUNW) president and COO, that he will likely pursue Suse owner Novell Inc. (Nasdaq: NOVL) as an acquisition target.

Those we interviewed about Schwartz's comments and blog entry concluded there are three possible explanations, in the following order of likeliness: 1) He wants to spread fear, uncertainty, and doubt about Linux-lover IBM Corp. (NYSE: IBM); 2) He sincerely does want Sun to have a good Linux distribution and just couldn't wait to tell everyone; or 3) He enjoys annoying the SEC and, for some reason, wants to drive up the price of acquisition targets.

Sun officials were not available for interviews today. "We have no comment," a Novell spokeswoman said.

It's probably all moot: Chances are, Sun's no more likely to buy Novell than the Red Sox are to shake the Curse of the Bambino.