Some big names in the computer industry are pledging to make the development of <A HREF="http://news.zdnet.com/2100-3513_22-5898069.html?tag=zdnn.alert">desktop applications for the Linux operating system</A> much easier than it has been. Adobe Systems, IBM, Intel, Hewlett-Packard, Novell, RealNetworks and Red Hat are all backing the new Linux standards effort led by the Free Standards Group. The nonprofit organization plans to marshal its resources to form standards for key components of Linux desktop software, including libraries, application runtime and install time.