UnitedLinux, a group of Linux providers building a common, enterprise-ready release of the open source operating system, said Wednesday it will let loose with a free beta of its source code Sept. 23.

The group, founded by Conectiva S.A., The SCO Group, SuSE Linux AG, and Turbolinux, Inc., together is aiming to counter the market strength of Linux leader Red Hat Software.

Whether from RedHat, UnitedLinux or elsewhere, a more standard release of the Linux OS -- especially one designed for enterprise use -- would do away with many of the remaining concerns businesses might have about Linux.

UnitedLinux will be compliant with existing Linux standards such as Linux Standard Base (LSB) and Li18nux (internationalization and localization), and will be available in English, Japanese, Simplified and Traditional Chinese, Korean, Portuguese, Spanish, Italian, German, French, and Hungarian.

Also Wednesday, United Linux appointed Paula Hunter, formerly vice president of marketing for Xevo Corp and chairman of the ASP Industry Consortium, as its worldwide general manager.

Hunter's initial priorities will be to broaden UnitedLinux global membership and to develop a range of training and certification programs and support offerings, the group said.