IBM to offer Linux Virtual Services

A REPORT IN TODAY'S Wall Street Journal says Big Blue will offer a service allowing people to run their own software apps on IBM's very own mainframes.

The report says the service - dubbed Linux Virtual Services - will charge rates depending on how much computing power is used.

This, the paper adds, could lead to savings of over 50 per cent over the cost of running your own computer.

The utility idea is far from new, however. Intel recently canned its "server farm" service while only a few years back Compaq was suggesting it should be considered more like a water utility than a computing company.

The deal, the report continues, will be charged out on customers buying units for between one to three years.

Companies would presumably save by using IBM techies to maintain the computers, rather than having their own people change out the DRAM and the like.

Here's the report, which requires you to have a WSJ subscription. µ