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IBM is giving a boost to an alternative browser. The company has selected a new version of the Opera Web browser for use in its NetVista Internet appliances, Opera announced Wednesday.

The Norwegian software company developed a version of its browser for the QNX operating system especially for IBM, but will make that version available for download by the general public in coming weeks.

"IBM came to us and they wanted us to do that; we have been working with them for six months, and they have approved our delivery, and the customers have approved IBM's delivery, and it's already been taken into use," says Opera Chief Executive Officer Jon von Tetzchner.

QNX, developed by QNX Software Systems, is well suited for Internet appliances that lack the power of a PC, says von Tetzchner.

"They need a browser that works well, that doesn't use a lot of memory, and that makes the use of hardware that is somewhat limited," he says.

Opera has experience with similarly limited hardware, he says, citing browser versions the company has released for Symbian's EPOC operating system for handheld devices, for Be's BeOS operating system for desktop machines, and for Linux embedded devices.

Opera is also releasing its final version of Opera 5.0 for Linux Wednesday, the company says in a separate announcement. Similar to the company's Opera 5 for Windows browser, the new version can be downloaded for free in an advertising-supported version, or users can opt to register for an advertising-free version for a fee of $39.

The privately held company has attracted a small but loyal following for its line of browsers, which it calls faster, smaller, and more standards compliant than other browsers.

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