Seen as an alternative to proprietary operating systems like Microsoft's Windows and Apple OS, Linux is an "open source" operating system that anyone can modify, as long as the modifications are made available for free on the Internet. Its backers say the publicly available source code, or software blueprint, makes it more flexible and reliable.

The consortium isn't announcing the location of the lab, which is slated to open by the end of the year somewhere in the Silicon Forest west of the city. The group doesn't have time to build anew, however, so a lease or an acquisition is likely, and Beaverton is the likely place, a source with one of the companies told GlobeSt.com. Intel could probably provide the space, having leased up several hundred thousand square feet in the area this year alone.

The Open Source Development Lab will not create new projects; instead, it will help accelerate existing or new projects developed by the open source community. The initial lab projects will be announced later in the year after an open, neutral process for choosing projects is coordinated with the open source community.

The lab will be governed by an independent board and management structure, and will consist of members from the open source community as well as representatives of sponsor companies. An independent executive director employed by the lab will implement policy, make funding decisions and work with the open source community to select projects.

The four main sponsors say they will contribute several millions of dollars to the project. The lab is also receiving support by companies that specialize in Linux products, like Red Hat Inc., Turbolinux Inc., Linuxcare Inc. and VA Linux Systems Inc., as well as Dell Computer Corp. and Silicon Graphics Inc. Industry analysts say the project sponsors are backing Linux because it gives them a chance to influence an operating system for their computers.