Secure open-source desktop gets funding

A British company is using a six-figure sum from the U.K. government to develop a secure Linux-based desktop operating system.

Netproject announced on Tuesday that the Department of Trade and Industry had contributed 132,000 pounds, or about $240,000, to its Secure Open Source Desktop programme. An equal sum has been provided by members of netproject's Incubator Club--a group of companies and government organizations that want to investigate open-source options privately, without attracting the attention of major software vendors.

Graeme Wearden of ZDNet UK reported from London. For the full story, click here.