In the 1990s, the company was a leader in computer networking products that enabled desktop personal computers to communicate and share information. But in recent years, Novell, which also makes Internet security and identity software, has been trying to move from its own proprietary systems -- marketed under the NetWare brand -- to Linux, an open-source software platform. Linux has become increasingly popular among business, government, and institutional information technology executives who don't like being tied into one company's products.

• Read full article
• Read full article in new window
• See other articles by Jeffrey Krasner
• See other articles published by The Boston Globe
• Today's headlines
• Headlines for May 17, 2006