As Linux gains popularity, corporations are wanting to move to open source apps, but want corporate backing and support. So Novell's big idea for this year's LinuxWorld Expo, which is to gain the flexibility of both tracks by open-sourcing SUSE LINUX and offering another stable solution for enterprise level business, seems sure to be a winner. OpenSUSE is intended to push Linux into more mainstream usability, so it can be easily installed and deployed by "non-technical" users.

There's no OpenSUSE 10.0 beta to download (yet), but Novell has already been preparing a brand new site, www.opensuse.org, a domain name that it registered as recently as July 5 according to the Network Solutions WHOIS database.

It's widely expected that they will use next week's LinuxWorld Expo in San Francisco as the kick-off point for this initiative, distributing SUSE Professional 10.0 beta to those attending.

In other news Novell last week announced the appointment of Susan Heystee (pictured) as president, Novell North America. Heystee will lead Novell's North America operations, heading up field sales, consulting, channel business, and customer support and succeeds Ron Hovsepian, who was recently promoted to executive vice president, and president, worldwide field operations, for Novell. Heystee also joins the company's worldwide management committee.

“Susan has been an integral part of the team that drove productivity increases in North America over the last year,” said Hovsepian. “Her focus on the customer is unparalleled. She will do a great job further driving performance in our critical North American market.”

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