At a press conference today during LinuxWorld, UnitedLinux unveiled its software developers program, the UnitedLinux Developer's Zone, and a Certification Program (see separate press release) to be created jointly with the Linux Professional Institute (LPI). UnitedLinux is the result of an industry initiative to streamline Linux development and certification around a global, uniform distribution of Linux.
The developer program's objective is to provide application, tool, and hardware vendors with the resources required to port, test, and create UnitedLinux supported solutions. Key elements of the UnitedLinux Developer's Zone, http://www.unitedlinux.com/en/developers/index.html, include:
- a developer discussion forum in the form of an archived listserv, where developers can exchange expertise and ideas with other developers;
- automated request facility for developers to obtain UnitedLinux software;
- a Webcast calendar;
- development tool resources (commercial and open source);
- access to development resources at founding partner and technology partner companies.
IBM is assisting UnitedLinux to provide a robust ongoing program for software developers by offering a Linux Software Evaluation Kit (SEK). The SEK, available at no charge through the UnitedLinux Developer's Zone, contains trial code, training and support to help developers get up and running with Linux and include evaluation copies of IBM's most popular software offerings: Eclipse-based WebSphere Studio tools, WebSphere Application Server and Web Services Toolkit, DB2® Database, Lotus Domino collaboration software, and Tivoli Management Software. The SEK offering is part of IBM's popular Speed Start Your Linux Apps program, which is available at developerWorks, IBM's resource for developers at:
www.ibm.com/developerWorks.
For the certification program, the joint work of LPI and UnitedLinux will lead to two new UnitedLinux certifications during the first quarter of 2003: a UnitedLinux Certified Professional (ULCP) certification and a UnitedLinux Certified Expert (ULCE) certification.
"UnitedLinux has received tremendous positive feedback on the idea of a developers program, and we are looking forward to addressing the significant interest in this program from the development community," said Paula Hunter, general manager of UnitedLinux. "We're delighted with IBM's assistance and support with the UnitedLinux Developer's Zone. It's another example of collective accomplishments that demonstrate the value of teamwork at UnitedLinux, and, with the enthusiastic reception of the marketplace, validate our initial assessment of significant pent-up demand for enterprise-class Linux."
During the event, UnitedLinux welcomed its newest Technology Partner, HP (NYSE:HPQ), joining IBM (NYSE:IBM) and AMD (NYSE:AMD), previously announced. Technology Partners participate in the UnitedLinux Technical Advisory Board and its committees, receive pre-release access to UnitedLinux deliverables, have the right to propose enhancements for consideration by the UnitedLinux Technical Steering Committee, and engage in joint marketing activities.
UnitedLinux also reviewed its accomplishments since its founding less than seven months ago, in May 2002. Milestones since the group's inception include:
- UnitedLinux beta release, with more than 15,000 downloads initiated, September 2002
- Paula Hunter joins UnitedLinux as general manager, September 2002
- UnitedLinux Version 1.0 product released according to schedule in November 2002; highly successful COMDEX press conference launching the product attracted 175 people
- Announcement of Carrier Grade Linux feature set for UnitedLinux, developed in collaboration with HP, IBM and Intel to enhance capabilities to create advanced voice, data and wireless applications, January 2003
Founding companies of UnitedLinux are Linux industry leaders Conectiva S.A., The SCO Group (NASDAQ:SCOX), SUSE Linux AG, and Turbolinux, Inc. UnitedLinux Version 1.0 is the engine that powers products sold by the four companies, each with its own value-add features, support and pricing. Built on top of a solid and tested foundation, UnitedLinux 1.0 is an enterprise-class operating system with exceptional stability, scalability and reliability, and its high level of quality has been previously available only in expensive proprietary operating systems.
Distributed virtually everywhere in the world and supported by leading global ISVs and IHVs, UnitedLinux Version 1.0 is initially available in English, Japanese, Simplified Chinese, Korean, Portuguese, Spanish, Italian, German, French and Hungarian. UnitedLinux Version 1.0 has local language and local time zone support for customers around the world, with access to a channel of more than 16,000 resellers and a global pre- and post-sales support team.
About UnitedLinux
UnitedLinux is a partnership of industry-leading Linux companies combining their intellectual property, geographic mind share, sales, support and marketing expertise to produce a uniform distribution of Linux designed for business. UnitedLinux applies the collaborative development model of open source to the business model to enable a one-stop shop for developers, partners and customers to install, support and maintain quality business solutions based on Linux anywhere in the world. UnitedLinux is actively recruiting membership for both industry software developers and those who provide Linux as an integral part of their business solutions. For more information, visit http://www.unitedlinux.com or call UnitedLinux at +1-781-876-8989.
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For additional information:
Margot Rodger
UnitedLinux
781-876-6299
mrodger@virtualmgmt.com
About Novell
Novell, Inc. is a leading provider of information solutions that deliver secure identity management (Novell® Nsure™), Web application development (Novell exteNd™) and cross-platform networking services (Novell Nterprise™), all supported by strategic consulting and professional services (Novell NgageSM). Active in the open source community with its Ximian and SUSE Linux brands, Novell is firmly committed to open source and offers comprehensive Linux products and services for the enterprise, from the desktop to the server. Novell's vision of one Net - a world without information boundaries - helps customers realize the value of their information securely and economically. For more information, call Novell's Customer Response Center at (888) 321-4CRC (4272) or visit http://www.novell.com. Press should visit http://www.novell.com/pressroom.
Novell is a registered trademarks; Nsure, exteNd and Nteprise are trademarks; and Ngage is a service mark of Novell, Inc. in the United States and other countries. SUSE is a registered trademark of SUSE Linux AG. * All third-party trademarks are the property of their respective owners.