Rumor or not, INPR will only win. Different scenarios (I thought that this might amuse everyone. Found it on the Yahoo board. They sure like this topic).
Take your pick:
1) IBM buys them because they need tools for their push into Linux
2) Red Hat buys them, because they need the tool for application development, and the OpenSource InterBase
3) Since IBM poses a threat to SUN with the Linux push, SUN buys INPR to avoid that IBM buys them, even if SUN doesn't really need them (preemptive strike)
4) Microsoft let's INPR become a Linux company, and then buys them, because then they can show that they don't act as a Windows monopoly, but only are trying to get entrance into the new OS environment. In this case DOJ cannot object, as in Linux RedHat and others are bigger then MS in this market. MS doesn't have to change the name of their AppCenter anymore, and enhance it with INPR technology.
5) INPR merges with COREL, where they will try to implement the model of a mini MS for Linux (OS, Office, dev tools, MidWare)
6) ORACLE buys INPR and offers free Oracle DBMS to all current InterBase users, and then kills OpenSource InterBase. At the same time they are getting all the dev tools to provide front end to Oracle. Shortly after the purchase they release XML Builder for Oracle based on INPR technology.
7) INPR takes off by itself and becomes the king of Linux dev tools, as well as the bridging company between Linux, CORBA, and DCOM.
8) HP decides that it needs to be in the Linux/Java/MidWare business, therefore they have no choice but to buy INPR, as currently they have no tools, even if they can have their own "clean-room" Java implementation.
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