Red Hat Launches Open-Source Exchange

The software company is unveiling an online marketplace for open-source developerswhere Red Hat can sell support, and links to its own products

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By Steve Hamm

March 14, 2007 at 8:26 PM UTC

This article is for subscribers only.

Ever since its launch in 1993, Red Hat (RHAT) has kept a laser-like focus on one thing: creating software capable of competing with tech giants Microsoft (MSFT) and Sun Microsystems (SUNW). In fact, the No. 1 distributor of Linux—the operating system for PCs and server computers—has done quite well for itself. Red Hat's revenues for the year ended Feb. 28 are expected to top $400 million, up 40% from fiscal 2006. And the Raleigh (N.C.) company just introduced the first new version of its flagship product in two years, which is expected to stir a fresh wave of growth.

Now the question is whether an outfit that has done so well as a lone wolf among "open-source" software providers can transform itself into the leader of the pack by helping companies that make open-source software products that run on top of Linux.