Hewlett-Packard has partnered with Novell in developing a new, secure Linux desktop product. At the same time, HP has joined up with Mozilla to promote a desktop virtualization project for small business customers.

In mid-December, Novell's SUSE Linux Enterprise Desktop (SLED) should be available preinstalled on HP's Compaq dc5850 desktop PCs. Included are OpenOffice, a web browser, email and IM, among other applications.

Novell and HP are also targeting the educational market by providing software for math, art and word games. Appropriate applications will also be provided for school administrators and curriculum development. "With the focus on educational users," says Novell's VP of open platform solutions Roger Levy, "this affordable joint offering delivers a solid learning platform and prepares students with 21st-century technology skills."

A further HP venture with Mozilla targets the small customer market by promising virtualized browser software for numerous desktop models. The software is the result of a joint effort between security firm Symantec and the free Mozilla project and has been available only on HP Compaq dc7900 systems. The
software, known as Mozilla Firefox for HP Virtual Solutions, has now been expanded to many more models for the U.S. market. The concept is that any web browsing you do stays in a virtual layer independent of the OS, so that you can reset Firefox at any time.

The virtual solution will be available in the U.S. on the HP Compaq model dc5800, dc5850, dx2400 and dx2390 desktops. The dc5850 that contains both solutions is priced at about $519.

Hewlett-Packard has partnered with Novell in developing a new, secure Linux desktop product. At the same time, HP has joined up with Mozilla to promote a desktop virtualization project for small business customers.