Date: Tue, 06 Jul 1999 12:01:43 -0500
To: lwn@lwn.net
From: Emily Armanetti 
Subject: news item

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ACTIONTEC ANNOUNCES BROAD LINUX SUPPORT 
1st Manufacturer to Support Linux Across Complete Modem Family
 
SUNNYVALE, CA (June 9, 1999) Actiontec Electronics, Inc., a leading
manufacturer
of data communication products, announced today that it is the first company to
provide comprehensive, broad-based support of Linux throughout its entire range
of modems and desktop computer PC Card readers.  Actiontec’s broad array of
computer modem configurations supporting the rapidly emerging operating system
include ISA and PCI internal modems, external modems, and PCMCIA modems. 

In addition to supporting Linux, the widely-endorsed and fast growing
challenger to the Microsoft Windows operating system, the Actiontec products
support all of today's popular PC operating systems including DOS, Windows 3.x,
Windows 95, Windows 98, and WindowsNT.

"With over 14 million users, Linux has achieved the status of being a credible
alternative to Windows, especially in business critical applications such as
web servers", said Alex Hewko, vice president of channel sales and marketing. 
"By supporting Linux in addition to all of today's popular operating systems,
Actiontec's modem family provides an exceptionally versatile, reliable, and
cost-effective solution for all the communication needs of OEMs, resellers, and
end-users."

Products for which Actiontec has announced Linux support include:

56K Internal PCI Call Waiting Modem and 56K External Call Waiting Modem -
Ensuring vital calls are not missed while users are surfing the Web or checking
e-mail, the modems' unique Call Waiting feature permits users to screen
incoming telephone calls without interrupting their on-line connection.  These
modems also include such advanced features as voice mailbox, telephone
answering machine, Internet phone software, and background fax. The unique
controller-based architecture maximizes system performance.

56K ISA Master - Supporting both the recently ratified ITU V.90 standard
and the
popular K56flex technology, the modem automatically selects the right
technology when connecting to an Internet Service Provider (ISP).  The 56K ISA
Master turns PCs into full-featured home office communications centers with
such advanced features as voice mailbox, telephone answering machine, Internet
phone software, and background fax.  

56K PCMCIA DataLink™   The award-winning PCMCIA modem described by reviewers as
"running circles around its competition."

PC700 Card Reader Desktop PC card reader that brings the versatility, security,
and portability of PC Card technology to desktop computers by adding two
PCMCIA-compatible slots to a 3.5" drive bay.

Actiontec also provides a complete array of Linux-compatible modems and
customized modem modules to support the needs of computer OEM's.

About Actiontec
Actiontec Electronics, Inc. is a significant global player in the data
communications marketplace. The company's product line includes a
complete line
of Home Networking products, Mobile and Desktop Fax/Modems, and Ethernet cards,
as well as Internal and External PC Card Read/Write Drives for SmartMedia,
CompactFlash and ATA Flash PC Cards.  Actiontec products have been recognized
with a Best of Show award at Retail Xchange, the Editors Choice award from
CNET's computer.com, and an Editors Choice award from Computer Retail Week. 
Actiontec products are available through national distribution and retail
outlets as well as through private label and OEM relationships. The company is
headquartered in Sunnyvale, CA, and maintains branch offices in Philadelphia,
PA, Government Sales in Arlington, VA, and International Sales in Irvine, CA.  


For more information contact Actiontec by phone at 408-752-7700  or on the Web
at http://www.actiontec.com.
             

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Actiontec and the Actiontec logo are trademarks of Actiontec Electronics, Inc. 
All other product names and trademarks are the property of their respective
holders.