Date: Thu, 15 Feb 2001 14:05:05 -0500
From: "Mitchell Slepian" <Mitchell.Slepian@mslpr.com>
To: <lwn@lwn.net>
Subject: IBM and Oki Data Team to Deliver Linux Printer Drivers

OKI DATA AND IBM TEAM UP TO DELIVER LINUX PRINTER DRIVERS

Mount Laurel, N.J., February 13 2001--Recognizing the rapidly growing market
for Linux-based products and services, Oki Data Americas, Inc. today announced
it worked with IBM to develop the new open source Omni Linux Drivers that are
compatible with more than two-dozen OKIŪ Impact Printers.  Built upon the
Ghostscript framework, a postscript interpreter, the Omni Linux Driver is
available without charge to OKI customers via the Web. The new drivers will
enable customers to leverage all of the benefits and flexibility offered in a
Linux-based environment.
"Oki Data is very supportive of the developments underway in the burgeoning
Linux community," said Carl Taylor, marketing manager for impact printers at
Oki Data.  "Working with IBM on the development of the printer drivers helped
us to more quickly achieve our goal of meeting the needs of Linux users."
According to IDC, Linux-based operating systems represent 25% of all new server
shipments, and is the only server operating environment with increasing market
share.
"IBM is committed to building a better Linux," said Mark VanderWiele, senior
technical staff member, IBM Linux Technology Center. "We are pleased with Oki
Data's quick support of open source printer driver development.  By working
with Oki Data, we are able to offer the open source community print support on
the Linux platform." Customers seeking the Omni Driver should download it from
the Oki Data Web site, http://www.okidata.com/drivers.   The
following series of OKI impact printers are operational within the Linux
environment: ML-184 Turbo, ML-320 Turbo, ML-321 Turbo, ML-4410, ML-520, ML-521,
ML-590, ML-591, ML-3410, ML-390 Turbo, ML-391 Turbo, ML-395B, ML-192, ML-193,
ML-320, ML-321, ML-380, ML-393C, ML-395C, ML-390, ML-391 and ML-393.

     About Oki Data

	Headquartered in Mount Laurel, NJ, Oki Data Americas, Inc., a
subsidiary of Oki Data Corporation of Japan, is a full-line supplier of PC
peripheral equipment, including serial impact dot matrix printers; digital LED
page printers, plain paper multi-function and facsimile products; and a full
line of options, accessories and consumables.  Oki Data's entire line of
products is in compliance with the EPA's Energy StarŪ Program.  Oki Electric
Industry Co., Ltd., parent company to Oki Data Corporation, is a $6.3 billion
multinational corporation with headquarters in Tokyo and is a world leader in
information processing systems, telecommunications and electronics.  For more
information about Oki Data or OKI products and services, visit the Oki Data
Internet Web site: www.okidata.com.

# # #

OKI Reg. T.M. Oki Electric Industry Co., Ltd., Energy Star Reg. T.M. U.S.
Environmental ProtectionAgency. IBM is a trademark of IBM Corporation. Linux is
a trademark of Linus Torvalds.






Mitchell Slepian
Senior Account Executive
Manning Selvage & Lee
(212) 213-7080
mslepian@mslpr.com
www.mslpr.com