Sun Microsystems released word yeserday that a number of personal computer companies will pre-install the latest version of Sun's open-source office suite software into the PC vendors' machines.
Among the broad list of clients, Sun announced deals with Sony, Everex Systems and Gateway, which all confirmed intentions to bundle and distribute the StarOffice 5.2 software on selected desktop and laptops. A Gateway representative said that the deal will ensure that customers receive a low-cost product offering all of the standard applications desired in an office suite.
Sun designed the software to run on Windows 95, 98, NT and 2000 operating systems, in addition to the Linux and Solaris operating environments. The multi-platform Star Office product includes word processing, spreadsheet, graphics presentation, drawing and photo editing programs. Additionally, users receive access to HTML (Hypertext Markup Language) creation and editing functions along with a series of other Internet-related tasks.
(Additional details to follow.)