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Corel Linux - Not Quite Dead Yet

Posted by ryuzaki0 on from the yeah-right dept.

zhensel writes "In Corel's latest Linux newsletter, they comment on the "spin-off" of their Linux distro reported here recently. In an apparent attempt to capitolize on the recent woes at Suse, however, they also confirm the release of the second edition of their operating systems targeted at european markets for the low, low, price of ?4.95 (or a few hundred megs of bandwidth). In addition, they promise increased development for their Linux productivity software. " I kinda think its just spin, the kinda stuff you say when you're going down like "Duck and Cover"

3 of 96 comments (clear)

  1. Now it makes sense. by macsox · · Score: 5

    1) Corel announces intent to work with Linux.
    2) Microsoft invests in Corel.
    3) Corel backs off on Linux.
    4) Microsoft pulls support because of DOJ pressure.
    5) Corel re-affirms Linux commitment.

    I feel like a pattern is emerging.

    --
    go get it
  2. The only linux I ever installed by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5
    Yes, I'll admit it. I'm a windoze user, and I don't really know that much about running linux. The only linux that I ever installed and ran on my machine was the Corel permutation of it. The point I'm trying to make is that if Corel can get a windows user like me who has a casual interest in linux to try it out because their version is easy to install, they Corel is an asset.

    If they continue on the Linux front, then they will give a windows user here and there a chance to switch over with their easy install and learn the benefits of opensource/GPL. And this, of course, is a good thing. It helps people because they can put an OS on their machine without the Micros~1 tax and those people can help other people do the same. It helps people have more control in how they use their machines. It gives us just a bit more freedom.

    Go Corel!

  3. Why does everyone hate Corel ? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5
    An opening disclaimer... I'm kind of a Corel employee. (This also is why I"m posting this anonymously...)

    I have a few points to make. First, Microsoft hasn't 'bailed out' of Corel. Their stock is just now registered as sellable by M$. Corel was planning on registering the stock as sellable ever since they got the $ from M$. M$ hasn't actually sold any of the stock yet. If they did, Corel's stock would no doubt tank. But then again, Corel's stock is low already, this really couldn't hurt that much. Corel will still have the $135 million (or whatever it was) in the bank. Oh, and the shares are still non-voting.

    Second, Corel has been moving forward on spining off Linux for months. They haven't accelerated or anything; it was just anounced in this particular newsletter.

    Third, IMHO spinning off Linux is good for the distribution. Corel's specialization is graphics products, maybe now office products too. To make a really good distribution (not that it's bad now...) they would have to give it more attention than they want to. And they prolly wouldn't do a good job of it even then.

    A new Linux company could get veture capital. Corel doesn't quite qualify, at >10 years old. The company could make business deals with companies that wouldn't want to work with Corel, for whatever reason. And Corel could make business deals without hurting its Linux image.

    And, not to mention, the new Linux company would prolly 'get' opensource. I hear the Linux developers talk about co-operation, I hear the management talk about competition. In a linux company, the open source thought mode would overpower the old closed-source thinking.

    Yes, I know, as a Corel employee I'm fed from management... But I can think on my own.

    (I'm pretty sure I'm not giving away any company secrets here... Oh, think of the karma I'm missing ;-) )