IBM to Release Lotus Notes for Linux

IBM announced plans Monday to port its well-known collaboration software Lotus Notes to the Linux operating system. The application would be based on the open-source Eclipse framework, and is scheduled to be released on July 24. IBM said that it also planned to use Eclipse in other versions of Lotus Notes that will ship next year, code-named "Hannover."

While the Linux version was originally scheduled to debut at that time, market demand pushed IBM to release it much earlier than planned. With IBM's focus increasingly turning to Linux, a port of one of its signature products makes sense. Additionally, the company sees a largely untapped market for collaboration software among those companies who choose not to use proprietary operating systems. Upon its release, Mac and Windows users would be able to switch at no charge, IBM said.