VA Linux Systems Wednesday announced a deal to partner with Loki Entertainment Software to sell the Debian GNU/Linux retail product directly to customers.

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The Debian GNU/Linux bundle takes the form of a CD containing 1,440 open-source software programs including Sun Microsystems' StarOffice personal office suite of desktop applications. It also includes the "apt-get" tool, which is designed for users to easily download free network updates to all of the software included on the CD.

VA Linux will use Loki's distribution channels in an effort to bring the bundle to a wider range of customers.

"This new relationship with Loki should facilitate wider distribution of the package, which will give more first time users an easier chance to take a look at it," said Brian Biles, vice president of marketing at VA Linux Systems.

Separately, VA Linux officials said they are still on track to announce next week SourceForge, a large Web-based repository made up of the "DNA" of over 220 open-source projects. The repository allows programmers to leverage the economies of scale offered by the product by allowing them to reuse open-source code and use it to build new software.

Five hundred volunteer developers working in concert over the Internet created Debian GNU/Linux. The new retail version is the first such version of the product to be available. By the end of this month, the product will be available in several retail outlets including Micro Center, Electronics Boutique, and J&R Computer World, company officials said.

VA Linux Systems plans to donate the profits made from the product to Software In The Public Interest, a nonprofit organization that specializes in Open Source projects such as Debian.

The Debian GNU/Linux retail bundle, which is co-sponsored by VA Linux Systems, O'Reilly, and SGI, can be purchased at www.valinux.co. for the introductory price of $19.95.

For more information about Debian, visit www.debian.org.

VA Linux Systems, Inc. in Sunnyvale, Calif., is at www.valinux.com. Loki Entertainment Software, in Tustin, Calif., is at www.lokigames.com.