Free Internet access provider NetZero
Inc. Tuesday announced that it would offer a Linux version of its
advertising-supported software.
Ronald Burr, NetZero president and chief technical
officer, said it was anxious to move into the world of services offered on
the Linux platform.
“Linux is becoming a strong market for non-PC devices and is an
increasingly popular alternative to Windows for business users,” Burr said.
NetZero currently serves more than 4 million registered users registered
users in 3,000 U.S. cities, all of whom rely on the Windows operating
environment.
The Linux version of NetZero’s software delivers near-identical
functionality to its Windows counterpart. To move could export NetZero’s
free Internet access strategy into new business relationships with
companies operating on the Linux platform.
Burr said the company leveraged its Java technology to enhance its product
lineup.
“It provides us entry to the largely untapped Linux market and should help
us forge partnerships with other players in the Linux space.”
In addition to the Linux release, NetZero revamped its custom navigational
tool to provide a speedy dial-up key to targeted Web sites and NetZero
features. The toolbar can be docked at the bottom of a member’s screen to
maximize available display space.
According to IDC, Linux server shipments
increased 166 percent last year, making it the fastest-growing operating
environment in the server market.
Even though Linux represented about 6percent of the entry server market in
unit shipments, IDC analysts tagged Linux to become an important growth
factor within the server market. As more and more branded vendors come out
with Linux server offerings, the platform has been dubbed a “Windows
killer,” much in the same manner that NetZero has been called an “ISP killer.”
