Linux Being Upgraded to Broaden Its Reach
Linux, the software favored by geeks around the world for handling the basic functions of the PC, is getting important upgrades designed to help broaden its reach to run individual desktop computers as well as computer “servers” that run networks.
Durham, N.C.-based Red Hat Software is focusing on the corporate server market with a new Linux product to be announced today. Red Hat Linux version 6.0 runs on machines with multiple processors, making it an option for large-scale Web sites and corporate networks.
Linux is popular among Internet service providers because of its reputation for running for months without crashing, a particularly important feature for companies that operate Web sites. Red Hat is the most popular distributor of Linux, with 400,000 copies of its product shipped last year, according to Framingham-based market researcher IDC.
Orem, Utah-based Caldera Systems last released week a new -version of Linux aimed at the desktop called OpenLinux 2.2, which the company says can be installed and operated by nontechnical users. The product comes with a choice of two graphical user interfaces: Windows or Macintosh-like skins designed to make the product easier to use.
The new Red Hat and Caldera products both take advantage of a new version of the Linux kernel version 2.2 developed under the leadership of Linus Torvald, the Finnish programmer who wrote the first version of Linux. Although Linux is available free over the Web, Red Hat and Caldera also sell packaged versions of the product to customers who want documentation and technical support.
