Novell Updates Ximian Desktop For SUSE Linux 9Novell Updates Ximian Desktop For SUSE Linux 9

As the Novell-SUSE Linux merger nears completion, Novell is already moving to better integrate the two companies' desktop products.

On Tuesday, Provo, Utah-based Novell unveiled an update to its recently released Ximian Desktop 2 that offers better integration with the SUSE Linux Desktop and SUSE Linux 9 distribution, the company said.

A Novell spokesman said the Ximian desktop will continue to run on other Linux distributions including Red Hat Linux. However, it's clear the company intends to optimize for SUSE's brand of Linux.

In addition to the additional integration with SUSE, the Ximian update includes an instant messenger client and updated Ximian Red Carpet 2.0 configuration management client software, the company said.

Novell's $210 million acquisition of SUSE Linux, Nuremberg, Germany, is expected to be completed in early 2004.

Ximian, which was acquired by Novell last August, first shipped Ximian Desktop 2 in June. Ximian and SUSE signed a joint reselling pact last spring before Novell acquired either one of the Linux software companies.