Dell Strikes Chord with Linux, but Not About to Abandon Microsoft.(Knight Ridder/Tribune Business News)

Knight Ridder/Tribune Business News, August, 2000 by Keefe, Bob

Aug. 16--SAN JOSE, Calif.--Michael Dell isn't about to abandon longtime ally Microsoft Corp.

But as his Dell Computer Corp. continues to expand beyond desktop computers and to more high-power, high-profit products like Internet servers, it will rely more and more on the once-obscure but fast-growing Linux software, Dell said Tuesday.

"We see Linux as a significant growth opportunity for Dell," he told about 15,000 software designers and others attending the LinuxWorld Conference & Expo.

Dell is putting his money where his mouth is. Dell Computer has invested millions in research and development for Linux-based products, Dell said. Separately, its Dell Ventures subsidiary has pumped millions more into Linux-related companies.

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