DesktopLinux.com, the leading destination on the
web for Desktop Linux news and information, today
proclaimed July 4th, 2002 to be the first annual
wIndependence Day. Coinciding with the US
Independence Day holiday, wIndependence Day
celebrates the burgeoning use of Linux on business,
government, educational institution, and personal
end-user computer desktops as an alternative to
dependence on Microsoft’s Windows operating system and
associated products.
web for Desktop Linux news and information, today
proclaimed July 4th, 2002 to be the first annual
wIndependence Day. Coinciding with the US
Independence Day holiday, wIndependence Day
celebrates the burgeoning use of Linux on business,
government, educational institution, and personal
end-user computer desktops as an alternative to
dependence on Microsoft’s Windows operating system and
associated products.
Thousands of dollars worth of prizes for
the celebration's essay contest are being donated by
CodeWeavers, ELX, Lindows.com, Lycoris, MandrakeSoft, Opera,
Sun Microsystems, SuSE, theKompany, and Ximian, providers of
the leading desktop-oriented Linux distributions and
productivity tools.
To turbocharge this year's wIndependence Day celebration,
DesktopLinux.com is inviting readers to send in their 500-1000
word accounts of how they have 'kicked the Windows habit' or
implemented Linux as a Windows-alternative in their company or
organization. Twenty-five of the best essays submitted by
midnight July 3rd will be selected for publication at
DesktopLinux.com beginning on July 4th, and their authors will
be awarded prizes from among the following:
CodeWeavers: CD version of CrossOver Office; CD version of
Crossover Plugin
ELX: ELX Platinum version; ELX tee shirt
Lindows.com: a Microtel LindowsOS-powered computer system
Lycoris: Desktop/LX Update 2 Beta CD hot off the press;
Lycoris tee shirt
Mandrake: Standard Edition Boxed edition; Powerpack Boxed
edition; ProSuite Boxed edition; Mandrake tee shirt
Opera: Opera for Linux (license)
Sun Microsystems: StarOffice 6.0 boxed set
SuSE: SuSE linux Professional with Pro-Office
theKompany: Kivio mp, a powerful flowchart and diagram
tool
Ximian: Ximian Desktop Professional Edition; Red Carpet
Express account
Further details on the contest, prizes, and rules of entry are
available here.
Linux is increasingly the OS of choice for businesses,
organizations, and consumers wanting to break free of
Microsoft's desktop computer software monopoly, while saving
money and improving system security and reliability. Recently,
the move to Linux has been spurred in part as a reaction to
Microsoft's new, more aggressive, licensing policy. Various
governmental agencies and educational institutions worldwide
have recently begun implementing legislation or programs
geared to the adoption of Linux and other open source software
as an alternative to Microsoft's Windows and Office products.
* * * * * *
Here are quotes from the leading providers of software for
Linux on the desktop, who are supporting this event by
donating prizes:
"This is going to be the breakout year for Linux on the
Desktop. When we launched CrossOver Office earlier this year,
we were completely overwhelmed by the number of people who
were planning to move to Linux. With the great strides made in
Linux in the areas of installation and usability, our
elimination of the Windows compatibility problem has removed
the last major barrier to wide spread Linux adoption," said
Jeremy White, Founder and CEO of CodeWeavers.
"Such policies of Microsoft are, in fact, helping Linux to
find its way rapidly into the desktops of even giant
organizations. Microsoft itself is shaking them up from the
deep hypnotic slumber. Many of them are rising to the dawn of
Linux which heralds an era of freedom of choice, reliability,
and now unprecedented ease of use as well," commented Abhi
Datt, Chief Software Architect and founder of Project ELX.
"Lindows.com is all about providing a choice on the desktop,"
said Michael Robertson, Chief Executive Officer of
Lindows.com, Inc. "wIndependence Day demonstrates the growing
segment of people who want viable, affordable and stable
choices in technology."
"We are proud to be part of the Desktop Linux community. We've
made the extra effort to create a feeling of inclusiveness at
the Lycoris Community Website, lycoris.org, and by visiting
local Linux User Groups and being part of Install Fests,"
commented Jason Spisak, Marketing Director, Lycoris. "Offering
an easy to use operating system based on Linux, like
Desktop/LX, has to be coupled with both consumer friendliness
and respect for Open Source -- otherwise it's just smoke and
mirrors. We're glad to have the opportunity to participate in
this exciting new annual Desktop Linux community event."
"The rapid maturity of Linux has propelled it from a viable
alternative to a must-consider option for the desktop.
MandrakeSoft proudly supports this wIndependence Day
celebration and the continued development of open source
technology," said Daniel Morales, VP Americas.
"Linux is maturing into a real competitor to Windows on
desktops around the world," says Pal A. Hvistendahl,
communications director, Opera Software ASA. "That the OS is
gaining strides in popularity as well is obvious to all of us
at Opera Software. So far we've had over one million downloads
and installations of our Opera for Linux version, with
thousands of new users looking for a better Internet
experience adopting Opera every day. By continuing the focus
of bringing cutting-edge technology to Linux users, Opera is
proud to be part of the movement that is making Linux a
user-friendly desktop alternative for users of all skill
levels."
"More and more enterprises today are doing business on
multiple platforms, including Linux" said Cheryln Chin, vice
president, business development, Software Systems Group at Sun
Microsystems. "With the help of StarOffice 6.0, many Linux
users will now have a full-featured office productivity suite
- compatible with major platforms -- to conduct everyday
business."
"The Linux Desktop is here today!," proclaimed Holger Dyroff,
SuSE Director of North American Sales. "SuSE is proud to have
contributed significant resources and development efforts to
making the Linux Desktop a reality. By sponsoring numerous
Open Source projects such as KDE, ALSA (Advanced Linux Sound
Architecture), Reiser Journaling file, system, XFREE86 and the
Linux Kernel itself, SuSE has been committed to Linux since
1992.
"We think this idea from DesktopLinux is a fantastic one.
We've been trying to do our share of making the transition
from Windows to Linux easier by having many of our
applications available on both platforms for one price. This
helps to reduce the risk and financial impact of transition,
when you already have applications you are familiar with.
We'll conquer the desktop together, one user at a time if need
be," enthused Shawn Gordon, President of theKompany.
"As a company, Ximian is focused on driving Linux desktop
adoption by providing the desktop usability, productivity
applications, interoperability and software management that
end users and corporate customers need, especially in mixed
Windows environments," said David Patrick, president and CEO
of Ximian, Inc.. "Our products, including Ximian GNOME, Ximian
Evolution, Red Carpet and Ximian Connector for Microsoft
Exchange help make that possible. DesktopLinux.com provides an
invaluable resource for users making the move to Linux
desktops, with the wIndependence Day program being only the
latest example."
* * * * * *
About DesktopLinux.com
DesktopLinux.com is the premier destination on the web for
Desktop Linux content. A unique web portal exclusively devoted
to the use of Linux as a desktop operating system for personal
and business purposes, DesktopLinux.com features news,
opinions, HOWTOs, FAQs, product previews/reviews, product
listings, a discussion forum, and links to other web
resources, all focused on using -- or learning to use -- Linux
as a desktop operating system. DesktopLinux.com is the sister
site of the popular embedded Linux portal, LinuxDevices.com,
which has become the most prominent website for the Embedded
Linux market and won Linux Magazine's coveted 'Website of the
Year' in the 2001 Editors Choice awards. Decision makers have
consistently relied on DeviceForge websites, for news,
information, and trends about the emerging Linux market since
1999.
About CodeWeavers
CodeWeavers provides products and services that help our
customers to make the transition from the Windows software
world to the Linux software world. Our CrossOver Office
product makes it possible to run popular productivity
applications such as Microsoft Office and Lotus Notes. Our
CrossOver Plugin product makes it possible to use popular
Windows centric web content, such as Windows Media Player,
Quicktime, and Shockwave.
About ELX
ELX has been designed and developed for those technology savvy
organizations and individuals who want ease, reliability,
productivity and technical superiority, all at the same time.
To know why ELX is the best ever Linux Experience, visit:
www.elxlinux.com/misc/compare.php
About Lindows.com
Lindows.com, Inc. is a consumer company that brings choice to
computer users. Lindows.com, Inc. uses the latest technology
to create affordable, stable, user-friendly products.
Lindows.com, Inc. was started by Michael Robertson, founder
and former CEO of MP3.com. At the core of Lindows.com is a new
operating system called LindowsOS, a modern, affordable,
easy-to-use operating system with Click-N-Run, a feature that
allows users to download high-quality software with one-click
of their mouse.
About Lycoris
Lycoris, located in Redmond, Washington, was founded in 2000
with a vision of making Linux simple enough for anyone to use.
Lycoris packages Open Source applications for the consumer
market and integrates them into Desktop/LX, a simple, robust
desktop operating system. Lycoris has enjoyed amazingly
positive press coverage while rocketing into the spotlight as
the provider of Desktop/LX, and continues to create easy to
use products, like the upcoming Iris, Internet Rapid Installer
for Software, which makes software installation from the web a
breeze.
About MandrakeSoft
MandrakeSoft provides a trusted interface between users of
information technology and open source developers. The company
offers its enterprise, government and educational customers a
set of GNU Linux and Open-Source software and related
services, and user-friendly and highly competitive information
technologies. In addition, MandrakeSoft offers technologists
committed to open software and courseware a trusted channel to
offer their services. The company has technologists in over 20
countries, and is traded on Paris Euronext Marché Libre and
the US OTC market. "Born on the Internet" in late 1998,
MandrakeSoft established headquarters in the U.S.A., Montreal,
and France. Please visit www.mandrakesoft.com for more
information.
About Opera Software
Opera Software ASA is an industry leader in the development of
Web browsers for the desktop and embedded markets, partnering
with companies such as IBM, AMD, Symbian, Canal+ Technologies,
Ericsson, Sharp and Lineo. The Opera browser has received
international recognition from end users and the industry
press for being faster, smaller and more standards-compliant
than other browsers. Opera is available on Windows, Mac,
Linux/Solaris, Symbian OS and QNX. Opera Software ASA is a
privately held company headquartered in Oslo, Norway. Learn
more about Opera at www.opera.com.
About Sun Microsystems
Since its inception in 1982, a singular vision -- "The Network
Is The Computer" -- has propelled Sun Microsystems, Inc. to
its position as a leading provider of industrial-strength
hardware, software and services that make the Net work. Sun
can be found in more than 170 countries and on the World Wide
Web at http://sun.com. Sun's StarOffice 6.0 software offers a
full-featured, multi-platform office suite with word
processing, spreadsheet, presentation, drawing,
Web-publishing, charting, formula-editing and database
applications that offer everyone from large organizations, to
governments, to small business, to individuals, a cost
effective multi-platform alternative to proprietary office
suites. StarOffice supports Linux, Solaris and Windows
platforms. StarOffice 6.0 software is available in Chinese
(Traditional and Simplified), Japanese (kanji) and Korean, in
addition to the major Western languages.
About SuSE
SuSE Linux AG, Nuremberg/Germany, is one of the world's
leading providers of complete solutions based on the Open
Source operating system Linux. In addition to operating
systems and application software for private customers, SuSE
Linux AG offers software solutions and
complete systems for the deployment of Linux in companies.
SuSE supports its enterprise customers with a comprehensive
range of qualified consulting, training, and support services.
The company, which hosts the world's largest development team
for Open Source solutions, has made its unique project and
support know-how accessible via the Internet in the largest
existing Linux knowledge database.
About theKompany
theKompany.com is a California-based corporation founded in
1999 with developer teams in North America and Europe.
theKompany.com fills a need in the Linux community for
mass-marketed, quality Linux software by producing developer
tools and desktop applications. Recently theKompany has
branched out into the embedded space on the new Sharp Zaurus
and has recently won contests and awards for those
applications. theKompany.com's products are marketed both
online and through B&M channels such as Microcenter and Fry's
Electronics. Visit www.thekompany.com or email
info@thekompany.com for more information.
About Ximian
Ximian is the established leader in providing open source
desktop technology, applications, support and services for the
Linux and UNIX marketplaces. Ximian products, in use by over
1,000,000 people worldwide, are providing the ease of use,
productivity and interoperability needed to propel the
adoption of the Linux desktop in corporate computing
environments. Its Ximian Desktop software starts with Ximian
GNOME, a productized end-user desktop based on the GNOME
project, to provide a complete graphical desktop environment
and productivity application suite for Linux and UNIX systems.
Ximian Red Carpet and Ximian Evolution deliver software and
personal information management solutions for both end users
and corporate customers. Comprised of many of the original
architects of the GNOME system, Ximian is a founding member of
the GNOME Foundation and sits on the advisory board. The
company has secured funding from leading venture firms Charles
River Ventures and Battery Ventures and can be reached at
www.ximian.com.
