San Jose (California), Sept 17: In a move aimed squarely at Microsoft Corp., Sun Microsystems Inc. unveiled yesterday a suite of software for businesses that want to dump - or just can't afford - the Windows operating system on their companies' desktop computers. The Sun Java desktop system, which was formerly code-named Mad Hatter, runs on the open-source Linux operating system and includes a variety of programmes that replace Microsoft's internet browser, productivity suite and other parts of the windows package.
In trading on the Nasdaq stock market, Sun shares rose 18 cents, or more that 4 percent, to close at $4.04.
Sun officials say its system will cost as little as $50 per user per year and can be installed on any computer that can run Microsoft's Office 2000. The software also is designed to inter-operate with Windows-based programs such as exchange and Microsoft Office.
"We are talking about a radical savings - more that 75 percent over just the comparable upgrade cost for Microsoft," said Larry Singer, Sun's senior vice president of global market strategies.
Bureau Report