Available since June, Mono version 1.0 provides developer tools and the infrastructure needed to run .net client and server applications. It includes a compiler for Microsoft's C# language, a runtime engine which Mono developers said supports Microsoft's Common Language Runtime and .net libraries including ADO.net and ASP.net.
Blowers said users would find Mono worth looking at but he warned, "It is early days, so proceed with caution."
Forrester analyst Uttam Narsu said Mono was not yet a mature enough to develop and support Microsoft applications on Novell's Linux platform.
He said that many users are concerned that Novell might unwittingly infringe Microsoft's intellectual property rights during Novell's development of Mono.
Novell said any possible patent infringement could be addressed by redesigning Mono to avoid infringement or pursuing a licence with the patent owner.
