Word Of IBM's Leanings Gives Linux Lift Big Blue says it will produce laptop computers that run on Linux, an operating system that rivals Microsoft Windows.

Byline: Murray Coleman, Investor's Daily

The Linux operating system, which has had trouble gaining a foothold in smaller computers, has found another big lap into which to jump. IBM Corp. on Monday said it will start shipping two lines of its Thinkpad laptops with Linux, operating software that has been used mostly for servers and larger computers. "Linux went through its maturation process by gaining acceptance in the server market," said Thomas Follette, IBM's worldwide product marketing manager for Thinkpad. "But there's no question that the days of denial about Linux in large corporations are over. There's no more stigma attached to running Linux these days." Big Blue is at least the second …