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From: press@linbox.com
To: lwn@lwn.net
Subject: "My CD-ROM is my computer": Linbox and DemoLinux reinvent the
Date: Tue, 28 Nov 2000 12:08:08 +0100 (CET)

   "My CD-ROM is my computer": Linbox and DemoLinux reinvent the Network
   Computer with Linux

   Linbox SA
   
   Paris, France - 28th November 2000 - For immediate release
   
   The objective of DemoLinux is to bring Linux to a broad public and to
   win new users by considerably simplifying installation. The term
   "installation" is actually inappropriate in this case, because Linux
   is not installed. This avoids the problems that may arise when a new
   system is placed on a computer already configured with another OS.
   There is no need to create a new disk partition or disrupt the
   existing configuration. The user simply switches the computer on and
   inserts the CD-ROM. Jean-Pierre Laisné, CEO of Linbox, stressed this
   point: "We were all really impressed, not just by the technology but
   also by the ergonomics of DemoLinux. This CD-ROM is a pocket computer
   that turns a conventional client workstation into a thin client fully
   adapted to the user's requirements. This technology creates an
   innovative, easily transportable and unbreakable product that will
   revolutionize network computing." When the computer boots up with the
   DemoLinux CD-ROM, the system is installed on the RAM only. This is
   because the Linux kernel features LFS, or Live File Systems. This
   technique, which is seldom applied, uses a compressed file system to
   expand the 650 Mb limit of the CD-ROM to more than 1 Gb of useable
   data. Based on the Debian Potato distribution (version 2.2), DemoLinux
   2.0 features the office environments Gnome and KDE, StarOffice by Sun
   Microsystems and several hundred applications. As a result DemoLinux
   is a high-performance office automation environment.
   
   Adopting the same approach as DemoLinux, Linbox is adapting Network
   Computing for the IT industry. To do this, it has developed a turnkey
   LNA solution for business, which is based on a bootable CD-ROM that,
   in five minutes, automatically installs a server-centric network
   architecture. As Jean-Pierre Laisné explains: "Linbox is pursuing mass
   customization by developing professional models in the form of
   self-booting CD-ROMs, adaptable to each user. The CD-ROM is a widely
   used, popular medium that makes up for the low bandwidth to which
   users are accustomed today, pending future improvements." He adds:
   "We're just following one of the major trends that has emerged in
   industry over the past few decades, aiming to bring down IT ownership
   costs." The Linbox network architecture, baptized LNA, adopts an open
   approach to networking, for easy large-scale deployment of
   professional solutions. Based on thin technologies with its
   NetStations and NetServers, LNA is a standard architecture that takes
   networking into the post-PC era through its ability to adapt to
   existing systems without modifications. Users are free to concentrate
   on the specific development of their solutions since Linbox takes care
   of IT complexities by centralizing the application on its local
   servers (Linbox Netservers). A final word goes to Roberto Di Cosmo:
   "We share Linbox's pragmatic vision of the way the industry is likely
   to go in terms of architecture. By working with Linbox engineers, we
   will be able to improve and produce a full range of solutions based on
   the DémoLinux project, from client workstations to firewalls" .
   
About Linbox SA

   Linbox is developing and marketing a range of ready-to-install network
   solutions for vertical markets, working closely with SuSE Linux AG and
   MandrakeSoft SA. The Linbox offering is based on solutions that are
   easy to install and use, with low maintenance costs. Based on Linbox
   Network Architecture (LNA), the systems use thin-client and
   thin-server architectures. In April 2000, the company raised E2.5
   million from Europatweb (the Arnault Group's Internet incubator) and
   La Financière de Brienne (a venture capital company backed by the
   French Ministry of Defense). Linbox has offices and research centres
   in France.
   
   Press Contact: Marie Ferrarini
   Tel : +33 (O)3 87 75 55 21
   E-mail: mferrarini@linbox.com
   Web: www.linbox.com
   
About DemoLinux

   DemoLinux is an organization set up to promote Linux and Free
   Software. It produces CD-ROMs that enable users to run Linux without
   installing it, thanks to a technology that is independent of Linux
   distributions. This technology is also used to create special versions
   of CD-ROMs for operators, organizations and companies. The DemoLinux
   project involves three people, all based at Paris VII University:
   Vincent Balat, Roberto Di Cosmo and Jean-Vincent Loddo. Version 1.0 of
   DemoLinux has received the support of the INRIA, the AFUL
   (French-speaking association of Linux and free software users) and
   MandrakeSoft. Widely circulated at LinuxDemoDay in September 1999,
   used by MandrakeSoft in its Golden Pack for its Linux-Mandrake 6.1
   demo CD-ROM, DemoLinux is winning over new users every day to the
   cause of Free Software.
   
   Web: www.demolinux.org
   
Legalese

   Linbox is a registered trademark of Linbox Inc.
   Linux is a registered trademark of Linus Torvalds.
   Linux-Mandrake is a trademark of MandrakeSoft.
   All other trademarks and copyrights are owned by their respective
   companies.