From: Jennifer Finlinson <jennifer@lineo.com>
Subject: Lineo To Acquire Two Additional Companies
Date: Mon, 17 Apr 2000 10:00:00
To: corbet@eklektix.com


FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

LINEO TO ACQUIRE FIREPLUG COMPUTERS

Acquisition Expands embedded Linux Support and Adds Embedded Linux Applications


LINDON, UTAH - April 3, 2000 - Lineo, Inc., the leading developer of
embedded Linux system software, today announced the intent to acquire
FirePlug Computers, Inc, based in Vancouver, Canada. FirePlug is a leading
developer of embedded Linux network application software solutions and
also provides strong development expertise in embedded Linux tools.

FirePlug's flagship product is ThinLinux, a distribution of the Linux
kernel, selected modules and programs. ThinLinux is currently available
for use on minimal Intel and compatible PC-based hardware for next generation
embedded and dedicated applications. 

"The addition of an embedded firewall and ThinLinux to our Embedix product
family broadens and deepens our product offering," said Bryan Sparks,
CEO of Lineo, Inc. "The Linux expertise of FirePlug will help us provide
OEMs the development tools they seek to produce smart appliances and other
embedded devices."

ThinLinux is aimed at the traditional Unix programmer and contains additional
features that simplify the process of prototyping as well as duplicating
and updating the resulting applications systems. ThinLinux can be used
with traditional keyboard/video/mouse support, but also allows applications
to boot and run with no local user interface hardware in situations where
minimal hardware is necessary. Pre-packaged offerings also include both
minimal and full web servers and a wide variety of networking options,
allowing OEMs to choose their preferred interface.

 "Together, FirePlug and Lineo can grow the embedded system software business
more quickly and effectively than as separate companies," said Richard
Pitt, president and CEO of FirePlug. "We will aggressively continue to
develop and service the embedded Linux market as a Lineo company."

FirePlug is the fifth company that Lineo is purchasing. In February, Lineo
announced their intent to acquire Zentropix and Rt-Control, providing
the Lineo Embedix product family with hard real-time solutions and the
ability to embed Linux in small microcontrollers. In March, Lineo announced
their intent to acquire USE, a custom engineering firm based in Japan
with expertise in a number of hardware platforms and operating systems,
and Moreton Bay, providing Lineo with an embedded Linux VPN solution and
additional ColdFire Platform support.

FirePlug is based in Vancouver, Canada. The Canadian office will remain
intact and augment the existing Lineo Engineering and Professional Services
organizations. With the addition of the office in Vancouver, Lineo now
has sales, services and engineering offices in Australia, Canada, Japan,
Taiwan, the UK, and the United States.

About Lineo, Inc.
Lineo, Inc., the leading developer of embedded Linux system software,
develops, markets and sells embedded Linux system software and applications
that provide OEMs and consumers with simple, low-cost software for interacting
with the Internet via embedded devices. Lineo owns the Embedix product
family including Embedix Linux, Embedix SDK and Embedix Browser. Visit
Lineo, Inc. at www.lineo.com. For more information, contact Lineo, Inc.
via e-mail: info@lineo.com or telephone: (801) 426-5001.

About FirePlug Computers, Inc.
FirePlug Computers, Inc. is a Canadian company that has developed the
ThinLinux software toolkit. This development and deployment platform is
a compact Linux distribution, well suited to survive harsh or unattended
applications. ThinLinux combines off the shelf applications with short
time to market solutions.  The company's expertise with Internet and network
appliances includes encryption, compression, bridging and wireless routing
technologies. For additional information, visit www.fireplug.net, e-mail
info@fireplug.net or phone 1-604-644-9265.

###

Lineo and Embedix are trademarks of Lineo, Inc. Linux is a registered
trademark owned by Linus Torvalds. All other products, services, companies
and publications are trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective
owners.

Press Only Contact:
Jennifer Finlinson
Public Relations Manager
jennifer@lineo.com
Tel: 801-426-5001x264