“Compaq Computer joined IBM, SGI and others in reaffirming its
commitment to Linux with new tools and services designed to
increase the acceptance of the upstart operating system in the
corporate world.”
“The open source Linux OS has become an increasingly important
alternative for Compaq and its Alpha processor. Alpha is the
well-regarded server chip that Compaq acquired when it bought
Digital Equipment, a processor on which it has yet to fully
capitalize. Earlier this year, Compaq and Microsoft suspended
Windows 2000 development on the Alpha processor. By default,
Compaq’s Tru64 Unix operating system and Linux have become the only
viable operating systems available for mainstream Alpha
servers.”
“Compaq today said it had formed the Linux Program Office for
bolstering Linux software development, both within the company and
externally with the open source community. The Program Office
plans to invest in tools and services that focus on enabling
rapid and easy deployment of Linux solutions on Compaq hardware,
particularly Alpha and ProLiant servers.”
“Despite its big Linux push, Compaq is taking a cautious
approach to bringing the Unix variant to its next-generation Alpha
server, code-named Wildfire.”