Black Duck world tour hits issue turbulence

He moderated an OSBC panel with Microsoft just as Novell was preparing to release details of its deal with the company. Then he flew to Russia where he found just how differently CEOs in other nations approach software development.

The OSBC panel offered a lot of heat but little light. "The deal created a schism in the industry," he admitted. "The feedback from OSBC attendees is provide more information or don’t throw FUD. I think that’s legitimate. But it’s difficult to do. It’s very clear that Microsoft has a multi-front strategy. Part is engagement, part is FUD, part is open source distribution."

While Microsoft hasn't changed, CIOs have. "Companies outside the U.S.  have all accepted this new realilty – distributed component delivery and management."

This has changed buying patterns. "I also think enterprises have changed the nature of their buying. They’re no longer buying major upgrades. They’re evaluating upgrades much more closely. You see that with Vista and other big projects."

While everyone else sees this evolving toward Web 2.0 or web services, Levin's hunch is it inaugurates the era of software as a service. "SaaS is a deep and profound trend."

He saved the best bit for last. That is, the pending incompatibility of Versions 2 and 3 of the GPL, as revealed in the "last call" license draft distributed at the end of May.

Levin thinks it will be fixed. "It was assumed the compatibility issue would be dealt with last." Levin is flying back home Friday to check on that prediction, and go to the Red Sox game. World travelers have their priorities.