Corel is to use Red Hat Linux 5.1 for its StrongARM-based NetWinder hardware platform. The NetWinder is the basis of a range of thin client and thin server platforms, and currently uses a custom Linux distribution based on Red Hat 4.2. The deal with Red Hat takes the form of a three year agreement whereby Red Hat will port 5.1 and future releases to the NetWinder. This seems effectively to take Corel out of the Linux OS development arena, allowing it to concentrate on hardware and application development. Red Hat's relationship with Intel, which bought a stake in the company last month, may also prove useful. The company's improved access to Intel technical information is most obviously helpful in the x86 space, but the Corel connection raises the interesting prospect of a form of three-cornered relationship over StrongARM. A space worth watching? ® Click for more stories