Novell Promotes Linux Adoption Through China Linux Standards Group

WALTHAM, Mass., Sept. 7 /PRNewswire/ -- Reflecting its commitment to one of the fastest growing Linux markets, Novell (Nasdaq: NOVL) has joined the China Linux Standards Group, launched this spring by the Chinese government to promote Linux* in China. Representatives from Novell(R) China will work with the Standard Group's officials and other members to contribute to the group's Linux standardization initiatives and education efforts, providing a unified push towards further Linux adoption in China. The China Linux Standard Group was founded in April 2004 with approval from China's Ministry of Information Industry. The group is responsible for developing and defining essential standards for Linux-related architectures. As the only global commercial Linux vendor formally part of the China Linux Standard Group, Novell will participate with other members to coordinate input from various local and national software development communities and Chinese enterprises, and provide Linux consulting and guidance to Chinese IT scholars and experts. This initiative is expected to significantly shape the emerging Linux market in China. "We are pleased to see that Novell fully supports Chinese Linux standards," said Doctor Zhang Hongfen, head of the China Linux Standard Group. "Novell's membership will contribute significantly to the definition of Chinese Linux standards. Novell has been extensively involved in the definition of international software standards, with abundant experience in this field and a good relationship with global technology communities. This will help our group stay informed on the latest Linux trends in a timely and effective manner." "We are very happy that Novell can participate in the definition and execution of Linux-related standards in China," said Luo Wei, marketing and channel director of Novell China. "Alone among global commercial Linux vendors, Novell has joined this project from the start as a formal member, reflecting both the China Linux Standard Group's high opinion of Novell and Novell's commitment to a greater focus on the Chinese market. Novell believes that the Chinese Linux Standards Group will play an important role in the development of the Chinese Linux industry, and, subsequently, the development of the global Linux industry."

About Novell

Novell, Inc. is a leading provider of information solutions that delivers secure identity management (Novell Nsure(TM)), Web application development (Novell extend(TM)) and cross-platform networking services (Novell Nterprise(TM)), all supported by strategic consulting and professional services (Novell Ngage(SM)). Active in the open source community with its Ximian(R) and SUSE(R) LINUX brands, Novell provides a full range of Linux products and services for the enterprise, from the desktop to the server. Novell's vision of one Net -- a world without information boundaries -- helps customers realize the value of their information securely and economically. For more information, call Novell's Customer Response Center at 888-321-4CRC (4272) or visit http://www.novell.com . Press should visit http://www.novell.com/pressroom . NOTE: Novell and Ximian are registered trademarks; Nsure, extend, and Nterprise are trademarks; and Ngage is a service mark of Novell, Inc. in the United States and other countries. SUSE is a registered trademark of SUSE AG, a Novell business. *All third-party trademarks are the property of their respective owners.