IBM DESIGNING TOOLS FOR MICROSOFT-FREE PCS

The Hindu Business LineInternational Business Machines Corp, the world's third-largest software maker, is designing a package of programs that let customers run personal computers without using any products from Microsoft Corp.

Canonical Ltd, Novell Inc and Red Hat Inc will help create a suite that includes the free Linux operating software and IBM's Lotus Notes and programs for e-mail, IBM said in a statement on Tuesday. The product will cost at least 30 percent less than a PC that uses Microsoft's Windows operating system, IBM said.