[Updated Aug. 14, 2002] San Francisco, CA; LinuxWorld — (press release excerpt) — the Free Standards Group announced that three leading Linux distributions — MandrakeSoft, Red Hat, and SuSE — have become Linux Standard Base (LSB) certified. [Note: LinuxDevices.com received an earlier announcement indicating that the following six additional distributions were certified, but apparently… these are in process and not yet certified: Caldera, Debian, MontaVista, SOT, Sun, and TurboLinux.]

LSB Certification verifies adherence to the community and industry developed standard for both Linux distributions and Linux-based applications. Additionally, the Free Standards Group announced the launch of its Linux Internationalization Initiative (Li18nux) certification. Li18nux standardizes true internationalization capabilities for Linux distributions and Linux-based programs.

LSB, a project under the Free Standards Group, standardizes the core functionality of Linux and the suite of GNU tools, giving Linux distributions the opportunity to reach a wider market, while allowing application developers to concentrate on increased functionality. LSB was developed through a collaboration between community developers, Linux distribution companies, ISVs, and system vendors.

Li18nux, the Linux Internationalization Initiative, will launch its certification program later this quarter, advancing its pilot certification program. Several Linux distributions have already become Li18nux certified under the pilot program. Like the LSB Certification program, Li18nux certification will meet the most stringent requirements, including vendor-neutral, third party verification. Testing for Li18nux compliance has an unprecedented 100% reach, meaning that every aspect of the standard can be tested for compliance.

Standards for Linux ensure that all LSB and Li18nux certified software will work with any certified distribution — making deployment on any system, large or small, much easier.

 
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