Citrix strips XenSource of virtualization, open source...everything

Just what did Citrix buy when it bought XenSource? As Dana Blankenhorn analyzes, Citrix appears to be in a dead sprint to remove any and all value from open source, virtualization buzz, etc. that it may have acquired when it bought XenSource:

And now, a quarter after the deal was closed, Citrix officials have indicated that they will use the hot XenSource branding, but de-emphasize its identity as a virtualization company. Citrix's flasgship Presentation Server has been renamed to XenApp Server, a fitting title considering its function as an application delivery platform. But it has no XenSource code.

Citrix either got completely snowed in the acquisition or, much more likely, it's getting pressure from its bosom-buddy, Microsoft. What it's not getting is much value for its $500 million.

[virtually_unheard_of]

Gee, Matt, do you believe any quote you see anywhere? Citrix may be (in your mind) minions of The Great Redmond Satan, but they're not stupid. There's no way on earth they said they're not in the virtualization business -- it's more likely they said they see virtualization not as an end to itself but as a tool for application delivery. And what's wrong with that? Servers can do one of two things: they can deliver applications... or they can be space heaters.

sometimes your approach -- and Dana's, for that matter -- to open source is more religious than practical, as if there have to be heroes or villains. It feels like you're about one tin-foil hat away from the Boycott Novell conspiracy theorists. Unfortunately, faith-based technology is about as productive as faith-based social services.