VMware, whose software lets computers run numerous operating systems simultaneously, expects a boost from Windows XP with its coming version 3.0. VMware Workstation 3.0, going on sale today (Monday), is compatible with Microsoft's new Windows XP operating system, meaning a person can run a Linux "virtual machine" on a Windows XP system, Windows XP on a Linux system or MS-DOS on a Windows XP system. The California-based company expects a big boost from the arrival of the latest Windows operating system, chief executive Diane Greene said. Companies use VMware to train new employees and to run older software that won't work with newer computers. One insurance company uses it for a ten-year-old cheque-printing program that runs on DOS. Sales of Windows products are "definitely going to go up as a result of this release," Greene said. Indeed, the company has taken $1.3m in preorders for the product so far. "I think it's going to dominate our workstation business." "Our Windows business is growing much more quickly than our Linux business," she added, saying the company will stay operating system-neutral. The company got its first foothold in the Linux market, but now two-thirds of its sales are for Windows systems. Version 3.0 also catches up to hardware features that long since became common on ordinary computers, including DVD drives and Universal Serial Bus (USB) connections. Performance -- particularly in the response of often-jerky mouse pointer -- has also been improved. VMware is working with the National Security Agency to adapt its software for use in protecting information, and Dell Computer and Veritas invested in VMware in 2000. Among the company's customers are Microsoft and Novell, which use the software for training. The company now has nearly one million users, Greene said. "We expect to be profitable in the next 12 months," she added. In the first quarter of 2002, the company plans to begin selling versions of Windows along with the virtual machine software, since running a copy of Windows requires that the user have a licence. See the Linux Lounge for the latest GNU/Linux and open source headlines. Have your say instantly, and see what others have said. Click on the TalkBack button and go to the Linux lounge forum Let the editors know what you think in the Mailroom. And read other letters.