Lindows.com Launches New Developer Program

Software vendor Lindows.com Wednesday announced a new developers program designed to further bridge the gap between the Linux and Windows operating systems.

Working with its software clearinghouse at Click-N-Run Warehouse, the San Diego-based company said developers and publishers can now submit programs for publication.

Launched back in October 2001, the company said it has more than 1,700 applications without an official developer program. CEO Michael Robertson predicts that number will climb to more than 5,000 applications by the year’s end. More than 750,000 installs have already been performed

“Linux has a massive amount of applications, even when compared to the Apple Macintosh for example,” said Robertson. “However, many of these Linux applications have been hard to find and even harder to install. The 1,700 applications currently in the Click-N-Run warehouse represent only a fraction of what’s out there. There is a huge flood of Linux software development going on and getting it behind the ease of the Click-N-Run delivery system, via our new Developer Program, will help make Linux available to all computer users.”

Crafted with a Linux kernel, the Linux OS runs Linux programs run natively, while Microsoft Windows software may be installed via CDs or downloads. Once installed, users click on a desktop icon or selection from a menu to launch the program per usual. Lindows.com assures that menus, dialog boxes and features operate as expected and at a comparable speed.

To make things simpler, the Developer Program has a programming basics section and a publisher’s promotional area to help developers in getting Linux to the marketplace. Developers can also use the Click-N-Run technology to make the Lindows-based applications easier to try, buy, install, and run.

So far, Robertson said the company has more than 2,000 developers already signed up for its program and Lindows users can expect the variety of applications, commercial and open source, to increase dramatically over the coming months.

The developer’s program may be all but moot in the next few months. Robertson’s company is awaiting a jury’s decision to determine if the company’s name violates Microsoft’s copyright claims that Lindows is too close in name to its Windows brand.

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