So Tech2000, are you still saying that Linux is not a threat to MSFT's OS platform....
Compaq, IBM, Novell and Oracle Take Equity Positions in Leading Linux Software Builder to Help Bring Powerful Open Source Operating System to Their Customers
INDUSTRY LEADERS INVEST IN RED HAT TO ACCELERATE LINUX
SUCCESS
Red Hat(R) Software, Inc., the leading builder of the Linux operating system,
announced today that it has accepted offers of equity investments from Compaq,
International Business Machines (IBM), Novell and Oracle Corporation. These industry
leaders will all take minority equity positions in Red Hat. The financial terms were not
disclosed for any of these relationships by Red Hat or its partners.
The announcement follows months of tremendous momentum for privately-held Red
Hat, including equity investments from Intel, Netscape and venture capital firms
Greylock and Benchmark Partners in September 1998. "Red Hat chose Compaq,
IBM, Novell and Oracle as equity partners because of their leadership positions in the
computing industry. Their support of Red Hat is a broad endorsement of the Open
Source Software model that is changing the entire software industry and driving the
rapid adoption and success of Linux," said Robert F. Young, co-founder and CEO of
Red Hat Software. "The support of a such a stellar group of leaders creates even more
momentum for the Open Source Software movement and for Linux as a powerful,
reliable, cost-effective and safe choice for any computing environment."
More than 10 million users currently run the Linux operating system. According to IDC
Research, Linux was the fastest-growing server operating environment in 1998,
capturing more than 17 percent of all server operating system shipments. Red Hat
Software builds, maintains and provides technical support for the Official Red Hat Linux
operating system. Linux runs on Intel, Alpha and Sun SPARC platforms and will soon
run on PowerPC systems.
Today's announcement of equity funding by the leaders of the computing industry caps a
month of major announcements from Red Hat. Hewlett-Packard, Compaq, Dell and
IBM each announced plans to support Red Hat Linux on a variety of server and
workstation systems. At last week's LinuxWorld Expo, Red Hat unveiled a new web
portal (www.redhat.com) designed to be the primary web destination for anyone
interested in Linux news, support, products and community information. About Linux
Linux is the cooperatively developed POSIX-oriented, multi-user, multi-tasking
operating system used worldwide. Linux is strongly differentiated from virtually all other
operating systems because it is "open source" software, with the source code freely
available to all users. Unlike binary-only operating systems that restrict access to the
source code, Linux benefits from a worldwide community of highly experienced
programmers and technically savvy academics who have the access to enhance and
improve the system. Linux is used as an exceptional-value, fully functional UNIX
workstation for Internet servers and other applications. Red Hat Linux is maintained as
"freely distributable" software available from many sites on the Internet. About Red Hat
(R) Software, Inc.
Founded in 1994, Red Hat Software is based in Research Triangle Park, N.C., where it
builds and maintains the award winning Red Hat Linux operating system. Working in
cooperation with a huge development team of research, academic, and commercial
software developers over the Internet, Red Hat's goal is to build the most accessible
and advanced operating system available anywhere. Red Hat Linux for Intel(R),
Compaq AlphaServer(TM), and Sun SPARC(R) platforms continues to gain
recognition in the computer industry. From 1996 to the present, Red Hat Linux was
named InfoWorld's Product of the Year three times, was given a Productivity accolade
in Software Development's "Jolt" Awards, was named an Environment/Desktop finalist
in the Ziff-Davis European Excellence Awards, won the editor's choice awards from
both the Linux Journal and Australian Personal Computing magazines, and won the "Just
Plain Cool" award. About Compaq (NYSE:CPQ)
Compaq Computer Corporation, a Fortune Global 100 company, is the second largest
computer company in the world and the largest global supplier of computer systems.
Compaq develops and markets hardware, software, solutions, and services, including
industry-leading enterprise computing solutions, fault-tolerant business-critical solutions,
networking and communication products, commercial desktop and portable products,
and consumer PCs. The company is an industry leader in environmentally friendly
programs and business practices.
Compaq products are sold and supported in more than 100 countries through a
network of authorized Compaq marketing partners. Customer support and information
about Compaq and its products are available at compaq.com or by calling
1-800-OK-COMPAQ. Product information and reseller locations are available by
calling 1-800-345-1518. About IBM (NYSE: IBM)
IBM is the world's largest information technology company, with 80 years of leadership
in helping businesses innovate. IBM creates, develops and manufactures the industry's
most advanced information technologies, including computer systems, software,
networking systems, storage devices, and microelectronics. The fastest way to get more
information about IBM is through the IBM home page at ibm.com. About
Novell (NASDAQ: NOVL)
Novell, Inc. is the world's largest network software company and the leader in
directory-enabled network solutions. Novell solutions make networks more
manageable, secure and affordable for organizations of every kind and size. Novell's
worldwide channel, developer, education and technical support programs are the most
extensive in the network computing industry. For information on Novell's complete
range of products and services, contact Novell's Customer Response Center at (888)
321-4CRC (4272), or visit Novell's Web site at www.novell.com. Press may access
Novell announcements and company information on the World Wide Web at
www.novell.com/pressroom. Novell Internet Equity Fund
The Novell Internet Equity Fund promotes Novell's interests in advancing innovative
networking technologies. The $50 million fund typically makes investments in
development-stage software companies that are in their first or second rounds of
financing. The fund is focused on software products that support NDS and Java
applications that run on servers, such as Novell's NetWare 5, for distribution across
networks. Companies interested in the Fund can find more information about it at
developer.novell.com. About Oracle (NASDAQ: ORCL)
Oracle Corporation is the world's leading supplier of software for information
management, and the world's second largest independent software company. With
annual revenues of more than $8.0 billion, the company offers its database, tools and
application products, along with related consulting, education, and support services, in
more than 145 countries around the world. For more information about Oracle, please
call 650/506-7000. Oracle's Worldwide Web address is (URL)
oracle.com;
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