Date: Tue, 31 Oct 2000 13:26:21 -1000 From: Laura Parker <lparker@viata.com> To: lwn@lwn.net, letters@lwn.net Subject: More Companies Use Linux FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Hawaii Company Paving Way for Linux in Community (HONOLULU, HI)-October 31, 2000-Viata Online, a Honolulu-based firm developing internet solutions for the travel industry, is at the forefront of technology as the largest Hawaii business using Linux, and Viata is educating the community about the benefits of Linux. Viata Online currently runs their server and 40 workstations on a Linux operating system. Instead of using Microsoft Office, workers use StarOffice, a free application for Linux. "Viata Online chose Linux as an operating system instead of Microsoft because it's less expensive, more stable, and more secure. Since we develop e-commerce sites, security is very important to us. As a start-up, being able to get our operating systems and desktop applications free was an added bonus," said Phillips. Phillips estimates that using Linux has saved Viata approximately $70,000. Viata Online is helping to promote Linux in the Hawaii community. Not only does the company sponsor and author a monthly column in a local high-tech newspaper, Viata co-sponsored presentations and a booth at the Oceanic Computer Expo in Honolulu last week. Network Architect and Security Officer Deven Phillips presented "Security on the Internet with Open Source Software." Representatives at the booth gave away software, product information, and Linux paraphernalia. Network Architect Deven Phillips is a long-standing leader in the Linux community. Before joining Viata, he was president of Linux Systems Hawaii. He now writes a monthly Linux column for Hawaiian Hard Drive and is a side consultant and tester for various Linux application companies, such as the Kompany and Mandrake. He is a CISSP certified security engineer. For more information, contact: Laura Parker Director of PR 808 548-0255 X110 808 348-0876 cell E-mail: lparker@ viata.com Web: www.viata.com, www.VacationHosts.com ###