IBM plans to inject $100 million into its collaboration software lineup in an effort to bolster the systems’ Linux support and technology options.In the past, Big Blue has pledged billions of dollars to companywide Linux efforts across all its product lines, including PCs, servers, and mainframes.Now IBM is driving its Linux efforts beyond server middleware toward the desktop. “It is all about responding to customer demand,” said Donald Harbison, program director, IBM software group, Linux technical strategy. “This is our decision to put the pedal to the metal and accelerate client-side computing on Linux.”In directing the Linux spotlight toward collaboration software, IBM is hoping to ride the growing momentum of Linux on the desktop. “The investment here is focused on the IBM Workplace family. It is in response to building market demand to deploy end to end solutions instead of server managed solutions,” Harbison said. Specifically, the investment aims to expand Linux support across the Workplace portfolio, focusing on ISV support programs, channel and partner promotion, research and development, sales and marketing, and other technology integrations, according to IBM officials.“This signals the marketplace to how serious we are: not only on R and D but also with partners and ISVs,” Harbison said.In other open source collaboration developments, IBM now supports the Firefox browser for Lotus Notes Web Access, and Harbison said the company also is developing a Workplace plug-in for Lotus Notes on Linux. More details about that forthcoming plug-in will be available later in the year, he said. Technology Industry