Date: Wed, 12 Jul 2000 17:36:58 -0700 (PDT)
From: Margaret Dron <margaret@lutelinux.com>
To: Undisclosed recipients: ;
Subject: News Release

NEWS RELEASE

Argent Resources Ltd. ("Argent") is pleased to announce that it has signed
an agreement dated July 12, 2000, with Lute Linux.com Corp. ("Lute") that
will result in Argent acquiring 100% control of Lute from Russ Rossi, RRGS
Creative Management Corp. and Quest Ventures Ltd. all B.C. based
individuals or corporate entities. Argent will issue 10,100,000 common
shares in its capital stock at a deemed issuance price of $0.29 per share
to complete the transaction. These shares will be issued as surplus escrow
shares and released according to Canadian Venture Exchange policies. This
agreement involves both a change in business and a reverse takeover
according to Exchange policies.  The Company's shares will remain halted
until the sponsorship acknowledgement form and the filing documents have
been accepted by the Exchange. Completion of the transaction is subject to
shareholder approval on a majority of the minority basis, CDNX acceptance
and the resulting company meeting minimum listing requirements as a Tier
2, Category 3 Technology Issuer.

Canaccord Capital Corp. ("Canaccord"), subject to completion of
satisfactory due diligence, is considering acting as sponsor to Argent in
connection with Argent's acquisition of Lute Linux.com.  Any agreement to
act as sponsor should not be construed as any assurance with respect to
the merits of the transaction or the likelihood of completion.

Upon closing, Argent will have the following proposed capitalization:

Current issued and outstanding (fully diluted):	6,836,260
Issued on closing of the acquisition:  	10,100,000
Total on a fully diluted basis:  	16,936,260

This capitalization is subject to any financing that may be undertaken.
Such financing options will take the form of brokered equity financing of
Argent and/or equity financing directly in Lute.  Financing may be
required in order to meet CDNX minimum listing requirements.

Lute, a private Denver, Colorado incorporated in March, 2000, is a
software-development, training, and consulting company.  Lute has offices
in Denver and in Vancouver and has a staff of 9 employees.  Lute is
developing a Linux-based operating system and associated software
applications.

Lute currently markets and distributes LuteLinuxLite and StarOffice.  
LuteLinuxLite is available as a free download from the Lute website
(www.lutelinux.com) or on CD-ROM for US$4.99.  Lute is also currently
completing its LuteLinux version 2.0, with an anticipated launch date of
October, 2000.  Additionally, Lute has created introductory level training
manuals for StarOffice and LuteLinux and is continuing to create and
revise its line of training manuals.  Commencing August, 2000, Lute will
offer "Migration to Linux", a Linux training program.

In addition to its software and training-programs, Lute has developed
hardware called the Lutebox.  The Lutebox is a three-tier hardware product
that provides clients with a low cost, speedy and continuous internet
server. The simplest tier provides an internet connection within an
office, eliminating the need for separate dial-up connections.  The second
tier adds file and printer sharing and company-managed email accounts. The
third tier gives clients the capacity to host their own websites, perform
in-house web design, and conduct e-commerce.

Lute is seeking to become a global provider of choice for Linux
installations, documentation, training, certification and technical
support through its strategic alliance with On-Track Computer Training
Corporation ("On-Track").  On-Track is a Vancouver-based company with
training facilities in Vancouver and Victoria, B.C., five U.S. cities, as
well as in London, England. This alliance will allow Lute to offer its
products and services to a broad spectrum of computer network and PC
users.

Lute expects to aggressively pursue market share in training and
certification programs for large corporations that are currently using
Linux.  Lute also intends to offer its services to smaller companies and
individuals who are able to use the free Linux operating system on older
hardware.

Equity analysts from WR Hambrecht and Co. predict compounded annual
revenue growth rates in excess of 80%, from almost US$2 billion in 2000 to
more than US$14 billion in 2003, in Linux products and services.  WR
Hambrecht and Co. determined that the most significant opportunity is in
services, training and support. WR Hambrecht and Co. is a San Francisco
based online brokerage company founded in 1998 by William R Hambrecht. His
experience in technology companies dates back to 1968 when he co founded
Hambrecht and Quist, an investment bank specializing in emerging
high-growth technology companies.  International Data Corporation has
noted that the Linux market share in server operating system shipments
grew by more than 93% from 1998 to 1999.  It also noted that Linux's chief
competition, Microsoft NT, grew at a rate of just below 24%.

Russ Rossi, Jay Daunheimer, Paul Chung and George Verghis will join
current Argent directors Gary Schellenberg and Bernard Dewonck to make up
the Board of Directors of Argent on completion of the transaction.

Completion of the transaction is subject to a number of conditions,
including but not limited to, Exchange acceptance and disinterested
shareholder approval.  The transaction cannot close until the required
shareholder approval is obtained. There can be no assurance that the
transaction will be completed as proposed or at all.  Investors are
cautioned that, except as disclosed in the information circular to be
prepared in connection with the transaction, any information released or
received with respect to the reverse take over may not be accurate or
complete and should not be relied upon.  Trading in the securities of
Argent should be considered highly speculative.

For more details please visit www.argentresources.com


"The Canadian Venture Exchange has not reviewed and does not accept
responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this news release."

ARGENT RESOURCES LTD.	

-30-

Media Contact:
Margaret Dron
Marketing Associate
LuteLinux
www.lutelinux.com
mdron@lutelinux.com
604-677-0777


#1680-650 West Georgia Street
Vancouver, BC  V6B 4N9
Telephone:  (604)681-0405  Facsimile (604)687-4670
Toll Free 800-667-4470
http://www.argentresources.com
Trading Symbol:  CDNX: AOU
CUSIP #040103103