TurnKey Linux to relaunch as TurnKey Windows

Update: Hope you got a little chuckle out of our April Fools prank. It was obvious if you read the whole thing. Unfortunately, some of the responses we received indicate some people didn't realize it was a joke! Probably because they only read the beginning and didn't get to the funny bits. We also changed the front page. If you missed it,  you can still see it here.

SEOUL Apr. 1, 2009 In a keynote address at the 2009 Federated Assembly of Korean Engineers, Microsoft Corp. Chief Executive Officer Steve Ballmer announced a broad business and technical collaboration agreement with the open source project formerly known as TurnKey Linux to build, market and support a series of TurnKey Windows software appliances, based on the upcoming Windows 7 operating system.

Under the technical collaboration agreement, Microsoft and the open source project formerly known as TurnKey Linux will create a joint research facility and develop new software appliance solutions for use with leading virtualization solutions such as Microsoft Virtual PC and Hyper-V Server.

The key components of the reciprocal agreement are:

• The project formerly known as TurnKey Linux will relaunch as TurnKey Windows at http://www.turnkeywindows.org/

• Microsoft will collaborate with TurnKey Windows to develop appliances based on Windows 7, Microsoft's highly anticipated next-generation PC operating system, slated for release in 2010. In the interim, new beta TurnKey Windows appliances will be based on Windows Server 2008.

• Existing TurnKey Linux users will be automatically upgraded to an equivalent TurnKey Windows appliance as soon as one becomes available. By allowing an appliance to upgrade automatically users implicitly accept the new End User License Agreement.

• Microsoft will generously allow free usage of TurnKey Windows appliances for the duration of the Beta, after which the appliances will require activation of a mandatory subscription plan. The new pay as you go model is intended to dramatically reduce total cost of ownership.

Jointly developed beta versions of TurnKey Windows appliances will be made available to MSDN, TechBeta and TechNet customers. Consumers who want to test-drive a beta appliance will be able to download the TurnKey Windows Core beginning Apr. 31 at http://www.microsoft.com/windows7.

Under the agreement, TurnKey Windows is establishing clear leadership among software appliance vendors and Microsoft will officially recommend TurnKey Windows for customers who want software appliance solutions. Additionally, Microsoft will distribute coupons for on-demand deployment of TurnKey Windows appliances in it's Azure utility cloud.

"Too often open source projects ask monopolistic proprietary vendors to adapt and embrace open source ideals. Today we are adapting our ideals to a very generous monopolistic proprietary vendor" said Alon Swartz, co-founder and CEO of TurnKey Windows.

Following a sizeable donation by Microsoft, founders of the project formerly known as TurnKey Linux agreed to rebuild all future appliances on Windows 7. The upcoming operating system is designed to make everyday tasks faster and easier, and make new things possible for end users. Windows 7 reflects an evolved approach to engineering that will promote interoperability between a wide and diverse range of Microsoft Windows operating systems and incorporates advanced security features guaranteed to prevent next-generation Windows installations from spontaneously bursting into flames.

Windows 7 is being designed to provide a solid platform to enable a new generation of solutions. Windows 7 will enable developers to be more productive and offers new capabilities to create more stunning applications. The next generation operating system will include many groundbreaking innovations including a new taskbar, Ribbon, which will include a simple flight simulator program and a new version of Internet Explorer which will feature entirely new ways to allow Nigerians to rearrange your desktop icons.

To learn more about this announcement, join the Microsoft TurnKey Windows webcast, which will be broadcast live at 11 a.m. ET on April 31, 2009. The webcast will also be available for replay.

Like many commercial transactions, the financial terms of the agreement are not being disclosed at this time.

About TurnKey Windows

TurnKey Windows, formerly known as TurnKey Linux, delivers software appliances that help organizations do more will less by reducing unnecessary friction and leveraging virtualization and cost-effective on-demand infrastructure.

About Microsoft

Founded in 1975, Microsoft (Nasdaq MSFT) is the worldwide leader in software, services and solutions that help people and businesses realize their full potential.