TurboLinux, NEC sign technology partnership

Asia-oriented Linux distributor TurboLinux has signed a "technical co-operation" alliance with Japan's leading PC vendor, NEC. The TurboLinux/NEC deal appears to be similar to agreements between other Linux distributors and hardware companies, such as Red Hat's alliances with IBM and Dell. Indeed, the TurboLinux deal follows a similar tie-up in Japan with Red Hat's subsidiary there. TurboLinux's Japanese subsidiary will work with NEC to improve the open source operating system's support for the vendor's iron. NEC will establish a Linux technical centre to provide support not only for TurboLinux but for Red Hat's and possibly other Linux distributions. Clearly, it too hopes to get into the wider Linux support business that Red Hat and go are also attempting to mine. The tie-in with TurboLinux will see NEC provide basic support for TurboLinux, with the latter handling the more complex issues. The deal extends NEC's support for Linux across its server range. Last month, the company dipped its toe in the open source ocean by offering Linux on its Express Server 8500 line. ®