The Free Standards Group Releases Two Linux Standards Platforms
Linux Standard Base (LSB) and Li18nux provides common ground for Linux worldwide
NEW YORK, NY -January 31, 2002-In a move that will allow true interoperability between Linux distributions and better internationalization capabilities, the Free Standards Group has released LSB 1.1 and Li18nux 1.0. LSB enhances existing compatibility among Linux distributions and will enable software applications to run on any compliant Linux-based operating system. The Linux Internationalization Initiative (Li18nux) creates a foundation for language globalization of compliant distributions and applications.
LSB 1.1 provides a full set of agreed-upon standards that will allow Linux distributions and developers of Linux-based applications to work together seamlessly, decreasing development costs while allowing them to concentrate on adding capabilities to Linux. LSB 1.1 boasts a full complement set of common APIs, a development package plus full testing capabilities, ensuring true compatibility and interoperability.
Li18nux is an internationalization guide for platform and applications developers, allowing Linux and Linux-based programs to reach greater localization capabilities and obtain global reach. Linux is already the fastest-growing operating system in the world. Li18nux 1.0 and LSB 1.1 will accelerate its growth and reach. Access to both LSB 1.1 and Li18nux 1.0 is available through the Free Standards Group web site, www.freestandards.org.
"The Rosetta Stone of Linux has been forged," said Scott McNeil, Free Standards Group executive director. "With written guidelines, test suites and build environments, the LSB and Li18nux will give application developers the tools they need to easily reach users world wide."
LSB 1.1 standardizes the core functionality of Linux and the suite of GNU tools, giving Linux distributions the opportunity to reach a wider market, while allowing application developers to concentrate on increased functionality. The guidelines and testing suite make it easy to achieve LSB compliance.
"Linux development is often driven by the enjoyment of writing and sharing great code," said George Kraft, LSB Workgroup chair. "With the release LSB 1.1, Linux developers can more easily focus on the pleasure of programming with the ease of mind that comes from knowing that their work will work seamlessly across all compatible distributions."
Li18nux was created to answer the critical need to have a common foundation for language globalization. Li18nux includes vital tools needed by Linux distributions and applications in their globalization efforts.
"With a Li18nux 1.0 compliant system, language, currency, time and other localization support have turned from a problem to an asset." said Hideki Hiura, Li18nux Workgroup co-chair. "Through the efforts of the development community and IT industry Linux is now truly global."
With LSB 1.1 and Li18nux 1.0's full complement standards and testing capabilities, the Free Standards Group has created indispensable tools for Linux.
About the Free Standards Group
Supported by industry leaders, the Free Standards Group is an independent, vendor-neutral, non-profit organization dedicated to accelerating the use and acceptance of open source technologies through the development, application and promotion of standards. Headquartered in Oakland, Calif., the Free Standards Group fulfills a critical need in the open source development community to have common behavioral specifications, tools and APIs, making development across Linux distributions easier. More information on the Free Standards Group is available at www.freestandards.org.
LSB 1.1 and Li18nux 1.0 Release
Quote Sheet
1/31/02
Caldera
"Caldera strongly supports the implementation of standards and feels that it is essential for the long term viability of the Linux industry," said Ransom Love, CEO of Caldera. "LSB 1.1 and Li18nux 1.0 are crucial building blocks for the continued maturation of Linux. Caldera will exert its influence to reach LSB certification with its own products as well as engage its industry partners to openly support the standards efforts in 2002."
Compaq
"Compaq meets the demands of its customers' needs by providing Linux solutions on their Linux distribution of choice," said Judy Chavis, director, Compaq Corporation, Linux Program Office. "Linux distributions and ISVs should implement LSB and Li18nux standards. It will make it easier for our customers to deploy Compaq ProLiant servers with their Linux applications."
Conectiva
"As the number one distribution in Latin America, we salute LSB 1.1 and Li18nux. Their release signals that true interoperability and internationalization for Linux has arrived," said Arnaldo Carvalho de Melo, CTO of Conectiva. "Conectiva has committed to reaching LSB and Li18nux certification in 2002."
Dell
"Dell supports LSB and Li18nux because the technologies ultimately help customers simplify the deployment of Linux within their IT infrastructure," said Karl Chen, director of enterprise software marketing for Dell. "Our ongoing work with the Free Standards Group and its commitment to Linux standards will help improve the availability of application software and increase interoperability across a wide range of Linux distributions."
Egenera, Inc.
"As Linux moves into the high-end data center space, the need for standards becomes of vital importance," said Dave McAllister, director of strategic technologies, Egenera, Inc. "The LSB and Li18nux give customers the flexibility to make the best choices for their IT strategies."
Hewlett-Packard Corporation
"As Linux has matured, standards have become a necessary component for its continued growth," said Martin Fink, general manger, HP Linux Systems Operation. "LSB 1.1 and Li18nux are fully expected to create a solid standard for interoperability and internationalization of open source development."
IBM
"LSB and Li18nux will play pivotal roles as Linux continues its ascent into the Enterprise," said Dan Frye, director of IBM's Linux Technology Center. "Developers will be able to concentrate their efforts on enhancing Linux capabilities, strengthening Linux's position as an attractive option for high-demand users worldwide."
Linux International
"I have often said that the most important Open Source project today is the Linux Standard Base project," said Jon "maddog" Hall, executive director of Linux International. "Today's announcements and demonstrations of binary applications running successfully across multiple distributions of Linux show that a standard can create the environment for shrink-wrapped applications. I have also always felt that developing standards should be open to more than a few cooperating companies, and I applaud that the LSB has been, and will always be, derived from work between the free and open source development communities and industry participants," he added.
Japan Linux Association
"The Japan Linux Association works to promote Linux and Open Source in Japan," said Takaaki Higuchi, secretary general, Japan Linux Association. "The Japanese Linux community has supported and contributed to Li18nux from the beginning, because localization based on a single standard is important, not only to Asia, but the entire world."
MSC Software
"Since MSC Software offers MSC Linux, a distribution specialized for high performance computer clusters, complying to the LSB gives our customers peace of mind," said Greg Sikes, general manager, High Performance Computing Division, MSC Software. "The MSC Linux distribution has pursued LSB conformance since its inception. We look forward to continuing with the test suite refinement and participating in the LSB Linux Distribution Certification Pilot."
Oracle
"LSB and Li18nux provide a critical stability for Linux," said Raja Srinivasan, software architect of Oracle. "What once was a liability for Linux now becomes an asset, as end-users can take advantage of the unique capabilities of Linux, without concerns for compatibility issues."
Red Hat
"Red Hat has had a long involvement in the effort to create standards for Linux, dating back to the very first LSB meetings," said Paul Cormier, executive VP of engineering, Red Hat. "We believe that the LSB 1.1's focus on the core libraries of Linux will provide significant benefit to the open source community, as well as software vendors."
Sendmail, Inc.
"We are very supportive of the open approach taken by the Free Standards Group and the benefit that it will bring to our enterprise customers." co-founder and chairman of Sendmail, Inc. Greg Olson added. "Since its inception, Sendmail, Inc. has demonstrated that open standards and commercial software can succeed in Linux powered environments."
Sun
"LSB and Li18nux will benefit users worldwide," said Shripad Patki, director of globalization at Sun Microsystems. "Sun has worked to increase open source internationalization and accessibility, and with the localization capabilities that Li18nux provides, people will be able to benefit from open source programming no matter what their location or physical ability."
SuSE
"SuSE is committed to LSB certification in 2002," said Markus Rex, vice president development of SuSE Linux. "The powerful test suite and well defined APIs will enable SuSE to reach LSB and Li18nux compliance quickly and easily. With our continued support, we congratulate the Free Standards Group on a job well done."
TurboLinux
"TurboLinux has a leadership position in Asia and we have been dedicated to the development and adoption of standards," said Ly-Huong Pham, CEO Turbolinux Inc. "TurboLinux was the first Linux distribution to implement the Li18nux performance pilot program and we have contributed engineering resources to the LSB effort. The release of LSB 1.1 and Li18nux 1.0 represents a major step forward for Linux and open source development worldwide."
Usenix
"The USENIX Association is actively assisting the Free Standards Group in the development of Application Binary Interfaces." Said Nick Stoughton, USENIX standards representative. "We are involved not only because we feel that these are very important technical goals, but because the work is being done the open source way."
Ximian
"As a company delivering a common desktop environment and applications across a broad range of Linux distributions, Ximian sees the release of LSB 1.1 and Li18nux 1.0 as an important achievement," said Miguel de Icaza, CTO and co-founder of Ximian. "These standards will enable us to focus our efforts on adding the product enhancements customers require, rather than spending effort on complex, 'under the hood' porting issues."
Jeremy Allison
"Standards are the cornerstone of any stable platform. In writing Samba, we are careful to adhere to as many published standards as possible to make our work portable between different systems" said Jeremy Allison, release maintainer, SAMBA Project. "The Linux Standards Base is the next stage needed in moving Linux into the enterprise to replace legacy systems. In order to create the great applications needed to realize the full potential of Linux, a standard API set is *essential* to provide the stability needed by application vendors. The Samba Team believes the LSB is the only way to create that API set."
Jeff "hemos" Bates
"I truly believe that with the creation of standardized *and* stable APIs by and for the open source community that the level of programs and programming will raise," said Jeff "hemos" Bates, Slashdot.org. "The LSB is doing exactly that, and I applaud them for it. Standard and stable APIs are a cornerstone of programming; thanks to the LSB, that's becoming more of a reality in the community."
Brian Behlendorf
"Community-built software and community-built standards are two sides of the same coin. Standards help ensure that the freedom to invent, the essence of Open Source and of Linux, doesn't compromise the ability to write software that works together effectively," said Brian Behlendorf, Apache Project notable. "20 years after Unix fragmented, and 10 years after the X windows GUI wars, we've finally learned that it's better for everyone if we agree on standards and compete on implementations. The LSB effort is a great example of that."
Alan Cox
"By defining the core libraries of a Linux system, without prescribing the implementation, the LSB provides the standard that ISV's require without losing the flexibility and power that makes free software so great," said Alan Cox, Linux notable.
David Dawes
"The LSB and Li18nux are standards created by both community and industry," said David Dawes, president of xfree86. "Not only are the best engineering practices being upheld by the LSB and Li18nux, but also the open source way."
Don Marti
"The LSB has done application binary compatibility right," said Don Marti, Embedded Linux Journal. "Now, different vendors' distributions of Linux can be more compatible with each other than even different service packs of a single-vendor proprietary OS."
Marc Merlin
"The folks at LSB have gone through a huge task," said Marc Merlin, notable Linux SysAdmin, Programmer and Guru. "By defining a list of standard libraries, tools and file locations, life will become easier for both developers and users of Linux and Linux based applications. This is definitely one of the biggest advancements for Linux."
Linus Torvalds
"Linux is the product of a community of developers. By using the same open source methodology and involving many of the same free software programmers, the LSB is a natural extension of Linux into the enterprise," said Linus Torvalds, creator of Linux. "Through the definition and testing of operating system interfaces, the LSB creates a stable platform that benefits both developers and users."
Dan York
"The LSB provides the critical framework so that software vendors can write their software or port existing apps over to Linux and have it run on any LSB-compliant version of Linux," said Dan York, co-founder, Linux Professional Institute and current board member, Linux International. "With the LSB, we are opening up developers to millions of new customers. Additionally, as a blend of work between the community and industry participants, the LSB beautifully allows the innovation of free software and the stability that commercial developers require."