IBM unveils Lotus Notes for users of Linux

IBM Corp. will today unveil the first version of its popular Lotus Notes software designed to run on the Linux operating system. It's the latest move in IBM's campaign to give computer users an alternative to software products from industry leader Microsoft Corp.

Linux, a powerful operating system that can be downloaded free from the Internet, has become popular in corporate America, but is mainly used to run server computers that perform vital but obscure ``back office" operations. IBM's Lotus unit, based in Cambridge, has long offered a Linux version of Domino, the server software that controls networks of desktop computers running the Notes client. But since few businesses run Linux on their desktop machines, IBM saw little need to create a Linux-compatible Notes client.

Ed Brill, business unit executive for worldwide Notes sales, said IBM expects significant growth in the popularity of Linux on the desktop. In addition, many IBM clients outside the United States have asked for an alternative to products based on Microsoft's Windows operating systems. ``Some of the key markets are Germany, eastern Europe, India, China, and Brazil," he said.

The new Lotus Notes 7 for Linux software will go on sale in about two weeks, at about $130, with discounts for large-scale purchases. Next year, IBM will unveil a major Notes upgrade for Windows, Linux, and Apple Macintosh computers. This new version of Notes will include word processing, spreadsheets, and presentation graphics.

Hiawatha Bray can be reached at bray@globe.com.