Keith Watanabe * NET 2.0

I saw the bid earlier from Oracle to BEA.  I think while this combination would be a serious threat to companies like IBM, RedHat and M$.  However, I think it's also a dangerous combination because you would be effectively tying the application server to the database and there would be little options from large (and stupid) companies employing the Oracle/WebLogic combination.  Fortunately, BEA realized that the move wasn't a good one for one reason or another.  Considering Oracle's hostile takeover of PeopleSoft though, I wouldn't be surprised for Oracle to make another offer in the future just to gain more seats in the server market.

On the other hand, if people are going to do acquisitions, I'd like to see RedHat go after companies providing services and solutions for Postgres and/or Mysql.  Also, I'd like to see RedHat put more investments into desktop solutions.  RedHat has a nice position in the server software market, but I'd like to see the Linux desktop make more headways for the desktop in companies.  However, it's Ubuntu who has a stronger position here.  Nonetheless, it would be nice to see RedHat form stronger partnerships with companies like HP, Dell and even Gateway to get more desktop versions of Linux.