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New software lets Linux, Windows coexist

VMware, a company whose software can let people run several operating systems at once on the same computer, has updated its product for the new 2.4 version of the Linux kernel, the company will announce this month. The new version of VMWare works under the latest versions of Linux from Red Hat, SuSE and Mandrake. VMware lets Linux computers run Windows or vice versa. It also lets technical support staff run several different versions of Windows simultaneously. The company has begun selling a version of the software for servers as well, enabling one networked computer to be split into several independent computers. VMware is being funded by the National Security Agency--the U.S. government's electronic espionage organization--to work on software that keeps classified information on a computer in separate, protected partitions. Dell Computer invested in VMware a year ago.

Stephen Shankland Former Principal Writer
Stephen Shankland worked at CNET from 1998 to 2024 and wrote about processors, digital photography, AI, quantum computing, computer science, materials science, supercomputers, drones, browsers, 3D printing, USB, and new computing technology in general. He has a soft spot in his heart for standards groups and I/O interfaces. His first big scoop was about radioactive cat poop.
Expertise Processors, semiconductors, web browsers, quantum computing, supercomputers, AI, 3D printing, drones, computer science, physics, programming, materials science, USB, UWB, Android, digital photography, science. Credentials
  • Shankland covered the tech industry for more than 25 years and was a science writer for five years before that. He has deep expertise in microprocessors, digital photography, computer hardware and software, internet standards, web technology, and more.
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Stephen Shankland
VMware, a company whose software can let people run several operating systems at once on the same computer, has updated its product for the new 2.4 version of the Linux kernel, the company will announce this month. The new version of VMWare works under the latest versions of Linux from Red Hat, SuSE and Mandrake.

VMware lets Linux computers run Windows or vice versa. It also lets technical support staff run several different versions of Windows simultaneously. The company has begun selling a version of the software for servers as well, enabling one networked computer to be split into several independent computers. VMware is being funded by the National Security Agency--the U.S. government's electronic espionage organization--to work on software that keeps classified information on a computer in separate, protected partitions. Dell Computer invested in VMware a year ago.