Epitera Linux Desktop Brings “Kandu” Attitude to Comdex LAS VEGAS - November 13, 2000 - Epitera is carving out a brand new niche in the Linux marketplace-mainstream consumer and corporate PC users. The Israel-based company today announced the launch of a new, easy-to-use Linux desktop environment targeted at the PC and Internet appliance user. The announcement was made at COMDEX 2000 in Las Vegas, Nevada, USA. The new desktop environment will include a complete set of pre-installed applications, and it features automatic application downloads and updates as well as remote-access customer support. The most visible example of the desktop’s user-friendly approach is a highly intelligent assistant—a genie named Kandu—that the company says will provide the user with more intuitive and proactive support than the assistant found on other operating systems. “Let’s face it, no one has yet come up with a way for the average consumer to use Linux,” said Yoram Salinger, CEO of Epitera. “Linux is solidly established in the Internet server market, but unless you’re a system administrator or hacker, you probably don’t use Linux. We’re going to change all that.” The fully animated and entertaining Kandu character oversees a three-level help and support system for end users. First, he uses everyday language (natural language processing – NLP) to communicate with the user – and even recommends specific solutions should a problem occur. Second, additional assistance is provided by the Epitera software manager, which can automatically download and install necessary applications. Third, a customer support center can access a user’s computer remotely to assist with difficulties. Ami Rosenberg, vice president of marketing and business development for Epitera, noted that the expanding PC market and widespread interest in Linux’ stability and multi-tasking capabilities represents significant opportunities for the Linux Operating system in the consumer market. “The PC market is growing 15-20 percent annually in the U.S. and the greatest opportunities for growth involve mainstream users, many of whom will be new to Linux,” said Rosenberg. “We believe this user will be attracted to our operating environment because of its simplicity, ease of use and intuitive support. In fact, they will probably never even know they’re running Linux.” Epitera’s desktop environment will be distributed with the following applications:
The desktop environment is featured at Epitera’s booth #P565 at the Sands Convention Center during COMDEX Fall 2000, November 13-17. It will be available for widespread distribution in 2001.
About Epitera Epitera is developing a state-of-the-art Linux desktop environment that will revolutionize virtually all operating environments, from Internet appliances to the PC desktop. The Epitera environment offers unprecedented ease of use, reliability and power, with a level of intelligence that benefits both the technical and mainstream user. The company recently released AbsoluteX, an open source development toolkit, to facilitate the development of Linux applications. Epitera is headquartered in Givataim, Israel near Tel Aviv and has marketing offices in New York, N.Y., USA. For more information on Epitera visit epitera.com. # # # All brand and product names may be trademarks of the respective companies with which they are associated.
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