Novell touts Linux as force for innovation. Open-source technology will force software vendors to create better products, but will not be its downfall, according to a Novell executive. Matt Asay, Novell's director of Linux business office, said Tuesday at the LinuxUser &Developer Expo in London that Linux threatened the proprietary software industry with innovation, rather than extinction, and accused companies such as Microsoft of failing to come up with exciting new applications. [Meerkat: An Open Wire Service]