Caldera's OpenDOS [FWD]
ma...@bbs.annex.com
[Forwarded from the DOS_BBS/Internet Fido echo]
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...@caldera.com na...@caldera.com
Tel: (801) 229-1675 x305 Tel: (801) 229-1675 x206
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