Compaq to offer Tru64 cheap… cheep

In a bid to propagate its 64-bit version of Unix, formerly known as D/UX but now called Tru64, Compaq will today announce it is licensing the OS at a nominal charge of $99. Compaq will license the OS to enthusiasts, educational institutions and non-commercial users, starting in the US first and then extending the scheme worldwide. The package will include Tru64 Unix V5.0, a suite of developers tools including a Developer's Kit, server extensions and Internet. The licence will be limited in scope, with end users having to agree they will only use the product on one machine, and on the condition that they do not develop and sell commercial software based on Tru64. There is more information on this Web site, including details of how to order Tru64 in non-US regions. According to Terry Shannon, publisher of Q newsletter Shannon knows Compaq, the deal is good news for Tru64. He adds that the $99 Compaq is charging includes packing, but most of the amount is royalties paid to third parties. ®