Yet Another Rendition of Linux
One of the founders of the open-source software initiative is planning to release a new version of Linux to challenge Red Hat's enterprise version of the operating system, and fill the hole left in the consumer market since Red Hat announced last week it would no longer sell a consumer version in retail stores.
The new version of Linux, called UserLinux, is being proposed by open-source sage Bruce Perens, who claims to have the backing of some of the world's largest companies, across a number of business sectors. UserLinux, which will be paid for with multimillion-dollar donations from Perens' corporate backers, will be free for unlimited use, and will be certified by large computer makers.
The companies sponsoring UserLinux are eager for an alternative to Microsoft products, which they see as expensive, buggy, vulnerable to viruses and difficult to deploy and maintain, said Perens, speaking at the first meeting of the Desktop Linux Consortium. He said the companies will also welcome an alternative to Red Hat and other commercial versions of Linux, which come with "odious" terms, limiting the number of seats and requiring expensive service contracts that are voided if users attempt to modify the software.
Perens would not name his corporate backers when he made his call for participation in UserLinux at the Desktop Linux Consortium meeting.
