Idealab! Announces Free E-commerce Software Offering to Mark Launch of OpenSales as First Open Source Application Provider

Business Wire, Sept 28, 1999

SAN MATEO, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Sept. 28, 1999--

Linux-Based OpenMerchant(TM) Announced

as Company Commences Operations

Idealab! today unveiled its first Linux venture, OpenSales, Inc., to offer an Open Source e-commerce software solution called OpenMerchant(TM) in October 1999.

The free retailing catalyst, which can be deployed on Linux, Solaris, UNIX and Windows NT platforms, is currently being used by select Internet retailers and will be bundled with VA Linux Systems servers later this year.

"The days of creating closed and proprietary systems are over," said Michelle Kraus, President and CEO of OpenSales. "By using best of breed solutions like Linux, Perl and Apache, OpenSales has created an easily accessible and world-class standard for online retailing."

As part of OpenSales' emerging leadership role in e-commerce, the company will also offer a wide range of support and complementary services for the free OpenMerchant solution.

Through the work of Chief Technical Officer Rob Ferber, founding technologist of the highly successful eToys portal, the services of OpenSales will include system clustering, database management and the company's unique Jump-To(TM) technology that tracks customer product interest as well as purchasing patterns.

For companies with limited resources, OpenSales will provide services to manage any or all of OpenMerchant's free modules that process thousands of Web transactions per second on inexpensive clusters of systems.

The select Internet retailers now using OpenMerchant to easily customize their pricing, inventory and ordering information include:

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--   KidsOnLine, a safe online destination for children

--   MusicNow, owner of the Woodstock.com and FirstLook.com Web sites

--   Shipper.com and its enterprise-class InstantShip.com delivery
     operation

--   MyHome.com, the Internet's most comprehensive resource for home
     furnishings and design

--   WeddingChannel, the most complete wedding resource portal on
     the Web

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According to technology pioneer Kraus, OpenSales was founded to mirror the Open Source software movement in which developers worldwide collaborate on improving the freely available source code found in Linux.

In keeping with its commitment to this technological revolution, OpenSales plans to release its OpenMerchant source code in October of this year through a special developer portal called OpenSales.org.

By issuing rapid upgrades and feature enhancements that only the international Open Source development community can provide, businesses of all sizes can be assured of having the most up-to-date e-commerce capabilities available.

"By offering OpenMerchant free of charge, we're opening the door to e-commerce for everyone," said Chief Technical Officer Ferber. "And, with our full support of Linux and Open Source developments, we look forward to enhancing our solutions while contributing to a technological movement that will liberate users from the limitations of restrictive systems and solutions."

About OpenSales

OpenSales, the emerging leader in Open Source e-commerce solutions, has created the world-class standard for online retailing with OpenMerchant(TM), a freely available and dynamic software solution that processes thousands of Web transactions per second on inexpensive clusters of systems.

With deployment on all enterprise platforms and support for all major databases, OpenMerchant helps meet the challenges of a business climate that requires immediate and accurate results. Based in San Mateo, California, OpenSales is directed by President and CEO Michelle Kraus and Chief Technologist Rob Ferber. OpenSales is an idealab! company. For more information, please visit www. opensales.com.

About idealab!

idealab! is an integrated incubator for identifying, creating and operating Internet businesses. Founded in March 1996 by entrepreneur Bill Gross, idealab! currently has more than 20 businesses in various stages of development.

In addition to capital, idealab! provides a full range of resources to infuse startup companies with the development strategies and financial support needed to rapidly introduce innovative products and services.

Resources include office space and the accompanying network infrastructure, consulting and marketing, competitive research, legal, accounting and business development support and services. In addition, idealab! provides advice on strategy, branding and corporate structure. idealab! companies include GoTo.com, eToys, WeddingChannel.com, CarsDirect.com, Free-PC and OpenSales.

Note to Editors: All trademarks, products and technologies mentioned in this document are the property of their respective owners.