LBA Reveals Plans For Next Linux Release

LBA REVEALS PLANS FOR NEXT LINUX RELEASE

Autotalo, Helsinki, 02.02.2005

SOT Finnish Engineering Ltd today revealed plans for the next
version of the Linux Business Alliance's flagship product,
LBA-Linux R3.

The upcoming release will include new features that focus on
security and improved usability.

Security-conscious notebook users will appreciate the hard disk
encryption feature of LBA-Linux R3.

In earlier versions of LBA-Linux, individual users could have a
single encrypted folder. LBA-Linux R3 extends this idea to the
entire hard drive.

"The entire file system can be locked with a password", explained
SOT Project Manager Aleksei Rovenski.

"It's an extra layer of security.  Even if an encrypted computer
is stolen, the data stored on it remains locked down.  No
information can be retrieved from the hard disk without the
password. It will give LBA-Linux users peace of mind, knowing that
their sensitive files are protected. It's a privacy thing."

Usability experts at Finndesign are planning to enhance the
LBA-Linux user interface in the R3 release, making the new
LBA-Linux even simpler to control.

"We plan to investigate the needs of corporate and everyday users,
from system administrators to office workers. The results of our
study will enable us to incorporate constructual usability
improvements into LBA-Linux R3," explained Mr. Jukka Tuominen,
Managing Director of Finndesign.

For those new to the world of Linux, LBA-Linux R3 offers extra
help in finding the right application for the job. First time
users of GNU/Linux often find the sheer number of new applications
overwhelming. LBA-Linux R3 will overcome this problem with a task-
based user guide aimed squarely at desktop users.

"It explains in easy-to-follow terms how to perform everyday jobs
with LBA-Linux," explained Mr. Phillip Stewart, Documentation
Manager at SOT.

"We show, for example, how to set up and use e-mail, connect to the
Internet, listen to music and many other common activities. We just
want people to be able to sit down and get started, without having to
explore and experiment with buttons and menus."

As well as extra support for desktop users, the new LBA-Linux will
also lend itself more easily to server use.  New options in the
LBA-Linux Configurator program will make it easy for even novice
administrators to set up and maintain a variety of network services.

SOT's Technical Service Manager, Mr. Igor Demi, explained the
Alliance's vision:

"We want to create a platform that has the power and flexibility of
of a GNU/Linux server, but with a desktop feel.  The LBA believes that
managing a network should be as easy as using a word processor. Just
click the options you want, and go!"

With its dual role as a desktop and server system, LBA-Linux R3 can
be used as a complete IT solution for small and medium-sized business.

"We see LBA-Linux R3 being used as a desktop system for office workers,
as well as a company's e-mail or Web server", Mr. Demi continued.

"One exciting benefit of a completely LBA-Linux network is more
efficient security updates, since a single update package can be
applied to all computers on the network."

LBA-Linux R3 is currently under development.  For more information
about LBA-Linux, visit http://www.sotlinux.org.

Additional information:

LBA-Linux community website: http://www.sotlinux.org
Linux Business Alliance: http://www.linuxalliance.org

SOT: http://www.sot.com/
Finndesign: http://www.finndesign.fi/
Turre Legal: http://www.turre.com

Media relations
telephone: +358 20 155 2206
fax: +358 20 155 2209
E-mail: PRelations@sot.com

SOT Finnish Software Engineering Ltd.

SOT provides professional services related to product
development and ICT-infrastructure to grow its customers'
business.  Founded in 1991, the company's core competences
are GNU/Linux and Open Source.  As an established software
house in the ICT arena, SOT counts Finland's leading
companies and public corporations among its current
customers.  SOT's best known products include SOT Linux,
Best Linux and SOT Office.


Finndesign

Founded in 1995, Finndesign is a Finnish design company
specialized in user interface design. Finndesign provides
services to technologically advanced appliance and software
producers globally.


Turre Legal

Turre Legal assists companies from the technology
and finance sectors with legal issues. The combination of
technical and legal professionalism is our strength.