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Caldera to release OpenDOS
Caldera and DR-DOS, phase two: they bought it from Novell, and now they're
gonna make it's source available! they'll include it in the next relieses
on the CND, yes, DOS boxes on Linux developped commercially (donno if the
final product is free too)
read on if interested...
CALDERA® ANNOUNCES OPEN SOURCE CODE MODEL FOR DOS
DR DOS® + the Internet = Caldera OpenDOS
PROVO, Utah Sept. 10, 1996 Caldera® Inc. today announced that it will
openly distribute the source code for DOS via the Internet as part of the
company's plans to encourage continued development of DOS technologies and
applications, further leveling the playing field for software developers
worldwide. This effort, targeted to benefit both individual developers and
industry partners, follows Caldera's commitment to embrace and fund an
open software environment. Caldera also announced plans for internal
development and marketing of DOS, including a new product called Caldera
OpenDOS .
"DOS continues to meet the technical and financial requirements of a large
portion of the computing industry, especially in the areas of network
computing devices, specialized game devices and embedded systems," said
Bryan Sparks, President and CEO of Caldera, Inc. "Publishing source code
for DOS will benefit a large number of independent and in-house developers
creating customized solutions based on DOS."
Caldera plans to openly distribute the source code for all of the DOS
technologies it acquired from Novell®, Inc. on July 23, including CP/M®,
DR DOS®, PalmDOS®, Multi-User DOS® and Novell DOS 7®. Pending an
evaluation and organization of the the technologies, the source code will
be made available from Caldera's web site during Q1 1997. Caldera learned
from its early investment in Linux technologies that the commercial market
is now ready to embrace open technology standards for operating systems.
Benefits of an Open Technology Model
Caldera believes an open source code model benefits the industry in many
ways. This model:
Increases competition, which historically leads to higher-quality and
lower-cost products.
Decreases the time-to-market of innovative software.
Facilitates creation of customized solutions by developers, Original
Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) and Value Added Resellers (VARs) for
even the most highly-specialized computing environments.
Extends market implementation of mature, proven technologies
historically de-emphasized by major software vendors who favor new,
resource-intensive technologies. Empowers independent developers to
influence future technology advancements.
Creates a large pool of individuals with broad knowledge of DOS,
increasing availability of technical support and consulting for end users,
historically at a lower cost and with quicker response time.
Existing/Potential DOS Markets
"The day Caldera announced its purchase of DOS, we were inspired by the
number of calls and email we received from end users, development partners
and OEMs who wanted to buy or license the technology," said Ransom Love,
Vice President of Marketing and Sales for Caldera. "They continue to be
extremely interested in DOS and support our open-source technology
direction. We have more than sufficient evidence to believe that the
development and end user communities are responding favorably to our
efforts with DOS."
Caldera lists the greatest existing and potential markets for DOS
technologies as:
network computing devices
specialized game devices
refurbished 286/386 Intel®-compatible computers (desktop and other)
embedded systems (interactive kiosks; automated retail devices, like
pay-at-the pump systems; medical, industrial and banking devices; and
other
niche market solutions requiring an operating system with low memory
requirements and minimal development costs.)
licensing individual DOS components for usage in turnkey solutions
(For example, using a DOS boot sector to load a virus scanning utility).
OEMs and Channel Partners
Caldera is currently in OEM negotiations with potential partners that sell
products to each of the markets listed above. Caldera's comprehensive OEM
program enables OEMs to license Caldera OpenDOS and Caldera OpenLinux as
part of a complete set of network and stand-alone solutions. Caldera's
leveraged, open- systems model will enable OEM partners to leverage
aggressive pricing and shorter development cycles. Caldera plans to
release a
version of DOS for OEM implementation by December 1996. Caldera's OEM and
Channel Partners can utilize the open-source code models for DOS
and Linux to create low-cost, custom applications and enhanced utilities
for vertical and niche markets. Caldera enables its partners to integrate
stable,
low-cost Internet devices with the most powerful Internet server platforms
and commercial add-on products. Caldera's support for the open-source code
model provides partners with maximum flexibility in providing more
complete product and service solutions.
Individuals can use OpenDOS source for personal use at no cost.
Individuals and organizations desiring to commercially redistribute
Caldera OpenDOS
must acquire a license with an associated small fee. Source code for
proprietary third-party components of Novell DOS 7 will not be published.
Why Did Caldera Want DOS?
Caldera's system software products are based on Linux technologies,
including networking and Internet protocols, and other technologies common
to
UNIX®-based systems. Linux technologies include a DOS box, which allows
end users to run DOS applications in Linux system software environments.
From the company's inception in October 1994, Caldera planned to license
and integrate DOS with its Linux-based software products. These plans
included the addition of Internet connectivity tools to DOS, enabling DOS
to function as a light-weight, stand-alone client to the Internet, or to
Linux when
used as a workgroup server. By December 1996, Caldera will integrate DOS
with the company's next versions of system software products, including
the Caldera Network Desktop. By including DOS, Caldera will ease
installation and improve compatibility for simultaneous use of DOS and
Linux.
DOS Retail Package
Industry statistics show that DOS operating system products continue to
maintain high market share. Industry distribution giant Merisel® lists MS
DOS
2nd in the Operating System category on the Retail HOT LIST and 3rd in the
same category on the VAR HOT LIST for September 1996.
DOS versions of mainstream software applications are listed throughout the
Business; Personal Productivity; Education & Recreation; DTP,
Presentation & Graphics; Utilities; and Languages sections of both the
Merisel Retail and VAR HOT LISTS. (Visit Merisel's HOT LISTS at
http://www.merisel.com/17000001.htm and
http://www.merisel.com/50000001.htm.)
In Spring 1997, Caldera will release Caldera OpenDOS, the first
commercial-grade, open-source code DOS product. Caldera OpenDOS will build
upon
its predecessors (CP/M, DR DOS and Novell DOS 7) by adding Novell Personal
NetWare , bug fixes to Novell DOS 7 and additional networking
capabilities. Potential technologies under consideration include a
graphical user interface (GUI); Internet web browser; TCP/IP stack; and
other Internet
connectivity services. This aggressive update to DOS will leverage
internal and third-party development.
Caldera OpenDOS will protect the investments made in existing 286/386
Intel-compatible environments, where DOS meets both the technological and
financial requirements of many end users and organizations. By
incorporating new technologies, like Internet connectivity, and by openly
publishing the
source code for DOS to the Internet, Caldera hopes to encourage continued
application development that utilizes this established, stable technology.
Technical Support for DOS
Caldera's technical support philosophy focuses on providing installation
support to end users and long-term engineering support to Caldera's
channel,
OEM and third-party developer partners. Caldera's technical support
objective is to develop a solid network of channel partners who serve as
the
primary front-line for technical support on Caldera products. Caldera
provides its customers with free installation support during a specified
time period
and encourages customers to utilize the free, service-rich technical
support environment on Caldera's World Wide Web site and available from
peers via
the Internet. Caldera also offers fee-based direct support options beyond
the complimentary installation and Internet services.
The DOS environment already enjoys an established pool of local resellers
who offer high-quality support for reasonable fees.
DOS users will also benefit from the exchange of technical support that
occurs between end users in an open-source development environment. For
example, the community of Linux users connected via the Internet provide
each other with technical support for Linux-based products that surpasses
the
quality, speed and value of technical support historically provided by
major industry software vendors. Caldera believes that openly publishing
the
source code for DOS will create a similar environment.
Caldera designs, develops and markets to consumers and businesses a line
of full-featured, economical system software for the Internet, by the
Internet,
providing stable, high-quality alternatives to Windows NT®, Sun Solaris®
and SCO UNIX®. It uses its own technological and marketing resources to
leverage technologies including the Linux operating system created by
independent developers worldwide. Caldera's web site is at
http://www.caldera.com/.
###
Caldera is a registered trademark; and Caldera Network Desktop, Caldera
Internet Office Suite, Caldera Solutions CD, Caldera Open Linux and
Caldera OpenDOS are trademarks of Caldera, Inc. UNIX is a registered
trademark, in the United States and other countries, licensed exclusively
through X/Open Company Limited. All other products, services and
publications are trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective
owners.
Caldera Press Contact:
Lyle Ball Nancy Pomeroy
lyle.ball@caldera.com nancy@caldera.com
Tel: (801) 229-1675 x305 Tel: (801) 229-1675 x206
-------------------------------------------------------------
Ira Abramov <ira@scso.com> Scalable Solutions
SITE Web Presence ("webspace for rent") http://www.site.co.il
Beeper 91826 at 058-212121 FAX (972)2-643-0471
POBox 3600, Jerusalem 91035, Israel Tel (972)2-642-6822
http://www.scso.com/~ira Check out: http://www.linux.org.il