Date: Thu, 01 Feb 2001 12:02:01 -0500
From: Dorcas Montiel <dorcas@nypr.com>
To: lwn@lwn.net
Subject: Hewlett Packard Chooses Ximian's Open Source Desktop



Ximian GNOME Selected by Hewlett Packard as Open Source Desktop for
HP-UX Workstations

         Demonstration showcased at LinuxWorld Conference and Expo in
New York

NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Feb. 1, 2001--Linux World--Hewlett-Packard
Company (NYSE:HWP) today announced that it will ship the open source
Ximian GNOME Desktop as the default desktop for HP-UX workstations after
the release of HP-UX-11i. The partnership will offer HP customers a
modern open source desktop environment, complete with a range of open
source applications built for Linux. The Ximian GNOME Desktop is an
enhanced, tested version of the open source GNOME desktop, making it
easy to install, use and support. HP is adopting Ximian GNOME as an open
standard to provide a common desktop for Linux and HP-UX.

    CDE, the current desktop environment for HP-UX, will continue to be
supported by HP. In addition, HP will provide customers with tools and a
migration path for customers who are interested in Ximian GNOME.

    Co-development between the two companies is already underway: Ximian
and HP engineers are working closely together to meet HP-UX customers'
specific requirements for functionality and stability. The Ximian GNOME
Desktop will be available for download for HP-UX 11.0 and Linux
workstations later this year. A demonstration will be conducted in the
Ximian booth (347) at LinuxWorld Conference and Expo.

    "Our customers are constantly seeking the most innovative options
and want access to the latest and greatest open source applications,"
stated Stephen Geary, HP's Linux development lab manager.

"We are committed to the open source methodology and community, and are
excited about migrating our HP-UX and Linux workstations towards a
common desktop. With more than 500,000 users, the Ximian GNOME desktop
is a proven technology that will make our customers' lives easier and
more productive."

    "We are excited to be working with HP to drive the adoption of open
source software in the greater computing industry." said Nat Friedman,
Ximian co-founder and CEO. "This partnership represents a major step for
Ximian GNOME, which is now achieving broad acceptance in the workstation
market. We look forward to continuing to work with HP to make Ximian
GNOME the most modern, functional and cost-effective user environment
for the world's most demanding organizations."

    Some of the specifics of the HP/Ximian partnership include:

   * Ximian will port Ximian GNOME to HP-UX for PA-RISC and IA64.
   * Ximian GNOME will ship as the default desktop on HP-UX beginning
     with the next major release of HP-UX after 11i, and as a client
     environment for HP Linux workstations in late 2001.
   * HP will use Ximian GNOME as an open standard to provide a common
     desktop for Linux and HP-UX, providing a consistent user experience
     and a portable development platform.
   * Ximian will provide on-going technical support to HP.
   * Ximian GNOME for HP workstations will include all of Ximian's
     network services.

    "Such a close working relationship with HP is the ultimate
validation of our technology," adds Miguel de Icaza, Ximian co-founder
and CTO. "The combination of continuous open source development with the
rigorous and careful testing tradition of HP will deliver the reliable
products that HP users demand." HP and Ximian are members of the GNOME
foundation, the industry's forum for setting the technical direction of
the GNOME project while promoting the broad adoption of GNOME on Linux
and Unix desktops.

About the Ximian GNOME Desktop

    The Ximian GNOME Desktop is a graphical user interface (GUI) for
Linux and other Unix systems. It installs seamlessly onto a user's
desktop, and adds the ease-of-use and professional polish of a modern
desktop to the power and customization of a Linux or Unix environment.
Easy to install, support, and upgrade, Ximian's GNOME Desktop is a
powerful tool for IT departments, and can significantly reduce the total
cost of ownership for the desktop.

About HP

    Hewlett Packard Company--a leading global provider of computing and
imaging solutions and services--is focused on making technology and its
benefits accessible to individuals and businesses through simple
appliances, useful e-services and an Internet infrastructure that's
always on. HP has 88,500 employees worldwide and had total revenue from
continuing operations of $48.8 billion in its 2000 fiscal year.
Information about HP and its products can be found on the World Wide Web
at http://www.hp.com

About Ximian

    Based in Boston, Massachusetts, Ximian (formerly Helix Code, Inc.)
builds Ximian GNOME, the world's most user-friendly and cost-effective
Internet desktop. In use by more than 500,000 people, the company's
software adds an attractive and easy-to-use interface to the power of
Linux and Unix operating systems. Ximian is pursuing an aggressive plan
of open source application development, providing technology, support,
and network services to the Linux and Unix marketplace. Ximian,
comprised of many of the original architects of the GNOME system, is a
founding member of the GNOME foundation and sits on the advisory board.
The company has secured funding from leading VC firms Charles River
Ventures and Battery Ventures. For more information, visit
www.ximian.com. Ximian is a trademark of Ximian, Inc. in the Units
States and/or other countries. The names of other companies and products
mentioned herein may be the trademarks of their respective owners.



    Press Contact:
             NYPR, New York
             212-421-3555

             Dorcas Montiel
             dorcas@nypr.com
                        or
             Toby Kovacs
             toby@nypr.com