All the US, European and Japanese companies belonging to Unix International Inc’s executive committee, together with its general and associate member representatives such as Data General Corp, Locus Computing Corp, Unisoft Ltd and Informix Software Inc placed a 90-minute conference call to the top executives of Unix System Laboratories Inc the week before last to discuss the implications of Unix Labs’ pending acquisition by Novell Inc. They wanted assurances that Novell is not about to kidnap Unix. They are said to be generally positive about the takeover but still need to achieve certain comfort levels – and it is noteworthy that Novell was not a party to the call. However, the companies were said to be assured that Unix International’s 1993 programme would continue, along with its input on requirements, early access, licensing and conformance and its work in promoting and marketing Unix.

Vendor-neutral group

The companies were clear and strong in their insistence on having a vendor-neutral group, according to Unix International chief Peter Cunningham. He was not absolutely definite that this group would have to be Unix International. However, apparently as a result, Unix International’s 1988 charter will be rewritten to recognise the change in Unix Labs’ ownership and Novell will be asked formally to reaffirm the principles and specifics of architecture and vendor neutrality it contains. Cunningham said the work would be done as soon as possible and that there would be talks with Novell in the next month or two. They are looking to get agreement before the acquisition closes, an event expected by the end of the quarter. Cunningham said his members are adamant about having input into system software and ensuring that it integrates with other operating environments such as Windows NT, Taligent and OS/2. The companies are also concerned that a vendor-neutral entity have ownership of source interface and binary interface specifications, he said. This will not mean replacing X/Open, and it will mean working more closely with the Open Software Foundation. Cunningham claims that the critical interest of the industry is now focused on commoditisation and the amortisation of investment. Unix must be turned into a high-volume product attractive to independent software vendors, and he believes that the generic Unix brand that Unix International recently proposed is part of the answer to the problem. How the Open Software Foundation fits into this picture remains to be seen, although whispers are just beginning to be heard around its Cambridge headquarters (CI No 2,091).