Red Hat Inc, the biggest US distributor of the Linux operating system, will release a new version today designed to attract more users of desktop personal computers, even as the company downplays attempts to compete with Microsoft Corp.
"We are not trying to be a Microsoft killer," said Erik Troan, senior director of product marketing, in an interview. "That would be absolutely crazy today."
Red Hat Linux 8 is easier to use, he said, making it an option for a larger number of PC customers than the previous version.
The program, priced lower than Microsoft's Windows, is practical for PCs used for business tasks that don't require compatibility with Microsoft's dominant software, such as stock-trading computers, Troan said. The Windows operating system runs more than 90 percent of PCs worldwide. Last year, Linux accounted for 2.4 percent of desktop operating system shipments, according to a study by market researcher IDC.
"This is not the product with which Red Hat is going to make their big push into the desktop space, although it's a step in that direction," IDC Analyst Al Gillen said.
Linux is popular for running the server computers that anchor corporate networks and Web sites. Red Hat's shares have declined 33 percent this year as sales growth has stalled while corporate customers cut software purchases. Linux has had limited success as a program for running business and home PCs partially because it's hard to use, Troan said.
To appeal to more PC customers, Red Hat has added the ability to set up the program as a desktop operating system, which adds software for word processing, e-mail and viewing Web pages. The program also has a new, easier design, Troan said.
RSS