In an attempt to reach the growing open source community, Linux software
distributor VA Linux Systems Tuesday
launched a suite of hosting and communication tools.
VA Linux (LNUX)
will expand into the application service provider industry with SourceForge, a free service for those
developing open source projects. It hosts a range of tools and applications
including Web server space, version control tools, applications for chat,
e-commerce, FTP, IRC, mail, news and the Web, as well as business,
scientific and educational applications.
SourceForge provides the
tools and resources open source developers need to develop and
maintain software in today’s Internet environment, said Larry M.
Augustin, VA Linux president and chief executive officer.
“On SourceForge, developers can realize the best of both worlds: the quality
and flexibility of open source software development and the
extensive resources available through a well staffed, responsive application
service provider,” said Augustin.
“SourceForge represents a dramatic
departure from the
traditional practices of proprietary software vendors, empowering
software developers and users to work together to create their own future.”
The company reports that more than 300 developers have already registered
for the service.
VA Linux made history last month when it went public with the largest
first-day gain in IPO history.