Microsoft Announces MS-Linux
Microsoft Announces MS-Linux
REDMOND, Wash., April 1 /PRNewswire/ -- Microsoft Corp. today
announced the forthcoming release of MS-Linux(R), a new version
of the well-known Linux(R) operating system designed for the
enterprise.
The flexible "grassroots" operating system, now with the quality
and enterprise-level service and support customers expect from
Microsoft
"Prior to the development of MS-Linux, enterprise customers
wouldn't dream of deploying mission-critical applications on an
unsupported operating system," said Jim Allchin, senior vice
president of Microsoft's personal and business systems
group. "All that has now changed."
Maximum compatibility and performance
While other versions of Linux offer a variety of immature and
largely incompatible windowing environments, MS-Linux includes
an implementation of the familiar Microsoft(R) Windows(R)
desktop, minimizing corporate training costs and allowing the
hundreds of millions of Windows users worldwide to be productive
right away.
MS-Linux provides a complete implementation of the Win32(R) API,
enabling many of the thousands of applications written for the
Microsoft Windows 95, Windows 98, Windows NT(R), and Windows
2000 operating systems to run unchanged on MS-Linux. Microsoft
will offer support for future releases of the Microsoft Office
suite of productivity applications and the BackOffice family of
server products running on MS-Linux. In addition, many existing
MS-DOS(R) and SCO Unix programs will run on MS-Linux without
modification. Benchmark tests performed by independent
laboratories have shown that MS-Linux is the world's fastest
Windows file server.
A groundswell of support from industry
A number of leading development tool vendors will announce
support for MS-Linux, including Bristol Technology Inc.,
Compuware Corp., Cygnus Solutions, Fujitsu Microelectronics
Inc., Intel Corp., Metrowerks Inc., Rational Software Corp.,
Sybase Inc., and Tower Technology.
"The new Linux distribution from Microsoft gives the operating
system the credibility it needs to gain a foothold in
organizations where it has never gone before," said Jon Hall,
Executive Director of Linux International, a non-profit Linux
advocacy organization. Microsoft will become a corporate member
of Linux International, and will make a substantial donation of
funds and equipment to the organization. "Linux International
looks forward to working with Microsoft for the benefit of
current and future Linux users," added Hall.
According to VA Research President and CEO Larry Augustin,
"VA Research is delighted that Microsoft is entering the
fast-growing market for computers powered by Linux." VA Research
has announced plans to bundle MS-Linux and selected Microsoft
Office and BackOffice products with its powerful server,
workstation, and laptop computers. VA Research has also agreed
to make Microsoft its exclusive supplier of Linux-based
operating systems going forward. "Having the Office and
BackOffice suites running on computers from VA Research will
give us a huge advantage in the marketplace," said Augustin.
Microsoft has engaged well-known author and programmer Eric
S. Raymond to advise the company on certain intellectual
property issues related to Linux. Raymond's paper "The Cathedral
of the Bizarre" was a key factor in Microsoft's decision to
develop a Linux product. "While Microsoft will not immediately
release the source code for its version of Linux, the company
has promised to do so eventually," said Raymond. "That's good
enough for me."
"The Linux community and Microsoft are a great fit," says Linus
Torvalds, creator of Linux. "After all, we both have the same
goal, which is total world domination."
Separately, Microsoft has announced the opening of a new
recruiting center in Research Triangle Park, North Carolina.
"Microsoft is always looking for talented individuals to join
our team," said Mike Murray, Microsoft's vice president of human
resources and administration. "We often recruit in communities
that are expected to have significant numbers of folks looking
for work in the near future."
Pricing and availability
Microsoft expects to release English and international versions
of MS-Linux Version 3.1 for Intel- and RISC-based computers on
or before April 1, 2000. Pricing has not been announced.
About Microsoft
Founded in 1975, Microsoft (Nasdaq: MSFT) is the worldwide
leader in software for personal computers. The company offers a
wide range of products and services, each designed with the
mission of making it easier and more enjoyable to take advantage
of people using personal computers every day.
Microsoft, Windows, Windows NT, Win32, BackOffice, MS-Linux, and
Linux are either registered trademarks or trademarks of
Microsoft Corp. in the United States and/or other
countries. Other product and company names herein.
+--------------------------------------------------+
| Mike Nachlinger (408) 446-9914 mnach@apres.org |
| Apres Ski Club 1-888-APRESGO www.apres.org |
+--------------------------------------------------+
Reply to: