Corel Begins Beta-Testing of Corel(r) LINUX(r)
NEWS RELEASE TRANSMITTED BY CANADIAN CORPORATE NEWS
OTTAWA, ONTARIO--New R&D partnerships to bring added value and functionality to new
easy-to-use Linux(r) operating system distribution designed specifically for your
desktop.
Corel Corporation (NASDAQ: CORL, TSE: COR) is pleased to announce that it has entered
the beta-testing phase for its desktop version of the Linux operating system, Corel(r)
LINUX(r).
For the beta-testing phase, Corel has recruited a sampling of the intended audience
who will test Corel LINUX and provide feedback regarding their experience. This feedback
may result in modifications to the product prior to the first public distribution,
planned for the end of the year. Corel LINUX is based on the Debian/GNU distribution of
the Linux OS and includes the K Desktop Environment (KDE). In its distribution, Corel has
enhanced the graphical user interface (GUI) and created a new installation program that
is much simpler than existing desktop PC operating systems.
"It gives us great pleasure to announce that we've reached this important milestone in
the development of Corel LINUX," said Dr. Michael Cowpland, president and chief executive
officer of Corel Corporation. "We're proud to again demonstrate our commitment to the
Linux community by meeting the second of our targeted deadlines. After previewing Corel
LINUX in August as planned, the beta-testing phase of Corel LINUX means that Linux is
closer to the mainstream community than it's ever been before."
To build on the strength of Corel LINUX, Corel is developing several new research and
development partnerships that should result in significant added value and end-user
functionality to Corel LINUX. These organizations include:
- Philips Speech Processing (NYSE: PHG);
- Loki Entertainment Software;
- Webb Interactive (NASDAQ: WEBB);
- eFax.com (NASDAQ: EFAX); and;
- GraphOn (NASDAQ: GOJO).
Each of these companies is excited to be working with Corel on Corel LINUX. Philips
Speech Processing, for example, will work closely with Corel to speech-enable its
upcoming Linux products. Currently, Philips Speech Processing partners with Corel to
bundle its FreeSpeech technology in many international versions of WordPerfect(r) Office
2000.
"It is a logical fit for Philips Speech Processing and Corel to work in tandem
producing powerful productivity tools for Linux users," said Ron van den Bos, president
and chief executive officer of Philips Speech Processing. "No matter what direction the
industry takes, we are committed to providing speech technology that will enhance all
aspects of the end-user experience."
As the leading Linux games vendor, Loki Entertainment Software works with leading game
publishers to port its best-selling PC and Macintosh(r) titles to the Linux platform.
Loki is working with Corel to bring these popular and easy-to-use games to Corel LINUX.
"Corel is a leader in bringing Linux to the consumer desktop; we're pleased to be
working with them to bring market-leading Linux games to the Corel LINUX distribution,"
said Scott Draeker, president of Loki Entertainment Software. "Corel's strength in the
sales channels offers a great opportunity for large-scale distribution of our Linux games
via the Web, OEM and retail sales channels, when bundled with the Corel LINUX
distribution."
Two other companies, Webb Interactive and eFax.com, are working with Corel to maximize
ease of use and functionality of Corel LINUX by adding Internet-based instant messaging
and fax capabilities. Webb Interactive is working with Corel to integrate the Jabber open
source instant messenger (www.jabber.org) into Corel LINUX. Jabber supports the IETF's
open model of integration with AOL, ICQ, Microsoft and other instant messaging clients.
Webb is also working closely with Corel to create compelling value-added Web sites,
commerce and promotion services to its Linux customers.
"WEBB Interactive is excited to be working with Corel Corporation on these very
strategic fronts," said Perry Evans, president of Webb. "Our industry-leading XML-based
solutions will be designed to integrate seamlessly with the Corel LINUX operating
system."
eFax offers free phone numbers that allow members to receive faxes via e-mail, and
charges subscription fees for more advanced services. The company is working with Corel
to bring its eFax service to Corel LINUX.
"Realizing the great momentum of Linux and Corel's central position in this movement,
eFax is excited to work with Corel to optimize our eFax Microviewer and service offerings
to support Corel LINUX users," said Rudy Prince, chief executive officer of eFax.com.
GraphOn, is extending its thin server-based technology for 32-bit Windows applications
(code-named "jBridge") to include the Linux desktop. This development will allow Linux
desktop computers to display Windows applications accessed over the Internet or other
network connections, as if they were running on their local desktop. Together with
GraphOn's GO-Global(tm) and GO-Joe(tm) already licensed by Corel, support for Windows
applications will allow Corel LINUX desktop users the flexibility to run their existing
Windows, UNIX or Linux applications residing on remote servers without rewrites.
"GraphOn is excited to be working with Corel in the rapidly-growing Linux
marketplace," said GraphOn president and chief executive officer, Walt Keller. "The
combination of Corel LINUX, the soon-to-be-released Corel office suite for Linux and
GraphOn server-based solutions offers a viable new choice for the desktop with potential
for a much lower cost of ownership. With the ability to access Windows from Linux and
Linux from Windows, businesses now have far more flexibility and alternatives."
To ensure that Corel LINUX will offer strong connectivity to the Internet, Corel is
currently negotiating with several North American ISP providers. Netscape Navigator and
Adobe Acrobat Reader and many other key applications will also be included in Corel LINUX
to ensure a full-featured, plug-and-play environment.
Corel expects to make further announcements regarding these potential partnerships and
others in the near future.
Corel Corporation
Corel Corporation is an internationally recognized developer of award-winning graphics
and business productivity applications. Development of market-leading products such as
the CorelDRAW(r) line of graphics applications and the Corel(r) WordPerfect(r) Suite of
business tools is continually evolving to meet the demands of the corporate, retail and
academic markets. Committed to performance, compatibility, value and open standards,
Corel develops products for the Windows(r), Macintosh(r), UNIX(r), Linux(r) and Java(tm)
platforms. Corel's common stock trades on The NASDAQ Stock Market(sm) under the symbol
CORL and on the Toronto Stock Exchange under the symbol COR. For more information visit
Corel's Web site at www.corel.com.
Corel, WordPerfect, CorelDRAW, Paradox, jPdox and the Go Further logo are trademarks
or registered trademarks of Corel Corporation or Corel Corporation Limited. Linux is a
registered trademark of Linus Torvalds. UNIX is a registered trademark of The Open Group.
Windows and Windows NT are registered trademarks of Microsoft Corporation. All other
product names are trademarks of their respective companies. All other brands and products
referenced herein are the trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective
holders.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION PLEASE CONTACT:
Corel Corporation Stefania Allevato (Canada) (613) 728-0826 ext. 5003 E-mail:
stafaniaa@corel.ca Website: www.corel.ca or Corel Corporation Judith O'Brien (US) (613)
728-0826 ext. 5405 E-mail: juditho@corel.ca
09:10 EDT SEPTEMBER 21, 1999 |
