Intel announced new software to help programmers speed up Linux programs running on Intel Xeon and Pentium 4 processors. Intel's $699 VTune software lets programmers zero in on the parts of a software package that consume large amounts of computing resources such as memory. A Windows version of VTune could remotely monitor Linux programs, but customers had asked Intel for a native version that would run directly on Linux computers, Intel spokesman Scott McLaughlin said.

While much of Intel's business is closely tied to Microsoft, the Santa Clara, Calif.-based chipmaker has been boosting the fortunes of the Linux operating system as well. In 1998, Intel became one of the first computing industry investors in Linux seller Red Hat. Intel also has released Linux programming tools, has funded work to build Linux support for new chip features, and has put money behind the Open Source Development Lab to improve Linux on high-end machines.

The Linux version of VTune, available in February, lags its Windows cousin in some ways. The Windows version has a graphical interface, works with more versions of Linux, and can monitor software running on Itanium processors. The Linux version will support Itanium computers later this year, McLaughlin said.

Intel's VTune software works with several versions of Red Hat's Linux. Intel is planning a test version later this quarter that will work with Linux from SuSE and its UnitedLinux business partners.

Intel also released open-source software that lets VTune be used on other versions and on customized versions of Linux such as test versions. Intel plans to show its VTune Linux version at the LinuxWorld Conference and Expo in New York.