As I was leaving the Mono GUI session, I went to say hello to Calvin
and he seemed shocked to see me.  It was actually funny … the
Mono team had been reading my blog in the back of the room and Calvin
told them that he knew me.  They had no idea I was itting in the
class in front of them!

Calvin took me out in the lobby where I got to meet Miguel and Nat, and
took a little time to chat.  Of course, Miguel indicated he was
sorry that I worked for SCO … however we talked about Mono, Simias,
and iFolder.  They are really doing some great work and want to offer a real competitor to Longhorn … before Longhorn.

Novell acquired some real talent with Ximian … these guys are going
to make a real difference in the world.  The most impressive thing
that indicates this to me, is that they don’t waste time talking badly
about Microsoft, etc.  Them seem to really respect with Microsoft
is doing, and what Microsoft is creating … and they are confident
that, even with all of the money and marketing power that Microsoft
has, they can beat them.  They are committed to create something
that sells itself … that provides real value that people will pay
for.  And they seem to realize they don’t have to trash Microsoft
in order to do that.  Good people …