No surprise, because there's no money for IBM when their own operation needs extensive and expensive maintenance to operate. But there is money for IBM when other companies need extensive and expensive consulting to operate.
IBM's linux position is nothing more than a "do as we say and not as we do" hypocrisy.
Yeah, IBM had to pump big bucks (ie. free consulting, development, etc) into Munich and other failing Linux projects just to keep them from going under due to cost overruns -- but, when push comes to shove within its own network, IBM has apparently decided that the cost simply isn't warranted. Hypocrites. If it wasn't clear before, it should be clear now that the only ones selling desktop Linux are the ones with their hands out for big, fat, greasy, dripping consulting contracts: IBM, etc.
As an IBMer let me just say LOL!!! You must be looking over my shoulder.
BTW, one of IBM's hot new cell chips is called Golden Eagle in house.