Corel joins Linux fest

Linux, the free, user-supported version of the Unix operating system, just keeps gaining friends.

Today, Corel, which has already announced plans to build a Linux-based network computer, said it will next month post free Linux-based development tools to its Web site, joining a number of software companies supporting the Linux open source movement.

In plans that are similar to Netscape's successful Mozilla campaign, Corel aims to create a toolset that will allow developers to build Linux-based products for the company's Corel Video Network Computer, said Oliver Bendzsa, a spokesman for the company's subsidiary Corel Computer.

The company also plans to post platform-specific drivers for the system.

However, Corel has no plans to post source code for its business application software. The code giveaway only relates to the company's network computer.

"Corel is making a big commitment to the open source code community," said Bendza. "We want to participate...and allow developers to review our work and make suggestions."

Corel's Video Network Computer is a thin-client system that uses a Linux-based operating system and includes Java communications tools.

The product is powered by Digital Equipment's RISC-based StrongARM microprocessor.

Corel disclosed its plans to make the tools available yesterday at a meeting of a Linux user group in Ottawa, Canada.

Corel's announcement comes just days after Netscape said it plans to release the source code for its Directory Software Developer's Kit for free on the Internet.

Netscape executives lately have been spreading the gospel about the benefits of open source code and praising the success of Linux.