Eazel Strikes Deal with WorkSpot to Demonstrate Nautilus Software Over Web; Customers, Vendors and Partners Can Now View Nautilus Environment From Windows, Mac And Unix Systems

Business Wire, Jan 31, 2001

Business Editors/Technology Writers

NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Jan. 31, 2001

LinuxWorld 2001 - Eazel Inc., the developer of software and services to make computers easier to use, today announced a partnership with WorkSpot Inc., a premier Open Source Application Service Provider (ASP), to demonstrate Eazel's Nautilus software. This relationship will give Windows, Unix, Macintosh and Linux users not running Nautilus a simple way to preview Nautilus through a standard Web browser. Nautilus is a window to a Network User Environment (NUE) that integrates access to files, applications, media, Internet-based services and the Web to deliver a dynamic and rich user experience. Users interested in seeing what Nautilus has to offer can easily view the software from any browser at http://www.workspot.com or http://www.eazel.com.

The easy display of Nautilus from non-Linux systems is made possible by WorkSpot's application hosting service, AppSpot Server. AppSpot Server allows Linux- or Unix-based applications to be executed on server hardware, yet remotely displayed and run by users from within any Web browser or native (VNC) client. In essence, AppSpot enables software vendors to move an application designed for local installation to a hosted model. AppSpot leverages Open Source technologies to provide customers with the highest level of flexibility and efficiency possible.

The ease of demonstrating Nautilus using AppSpot will accelerate the adoption of Eazel's Network User Environment (NUE), a new class of user environment that takes full advantage of the Internet. Unlike previous environments that were designed for standalone desktops and applications, the NUE makes local and remote content, community, commerce, and Internet services a fundamental part of the user experience. Additionally, the NUE promises to create a new standard for ease-of-use by freeing users from complex and tedious system administration tasks such as system back-ups and software upgrades.

"We are excited about providing users of Windows, Macintosh, and Unix the opportunity to see what we're creating at Eazel," said Mike Boich, chief executive officer of Eazel. "We think people will be surprised by how easy it is to use Linux with Nautilus software and our soon to be released Eazel Services."

"We are proud to add Eazel's name to our rapidly growing client roster and believe our open application hosting service provides the perfect launching pad for Nautilus," said Kathy Giori, co-founder and chief executive officer at WorkSpot. "We believe our customers understand the inherent operational reliability of open source technology and in that regard we're providing Eazel a very sturdy platform to operate from."

About Nautilus

Nautilus is the window to a network user environment that integrates access to files, applications, media, Internet-based services and the Web to deliver a dynamic and rich user experience. Nautilus is an open source project being developed under the GPL (GNU Public License) and is a core component of the GNOME desktop project. A sneak preview of Nautilus can be downloaded on Linux systems today at http://www.eazel.com/download.

About Eazel

Eazel (http://www.eazel.com) develops software and services to make computers easier to use. Eazel's Nautilus software provides a superior user experience that embraces and leverages the possibilities of the Internet. Eazel is a private company headquartered in Mountain View, California, and is backed by Silicon Valley venture investors Accel Partners. In May of 2000 Eazel was listed as one of Red Herring Magazine's "Ten Companies To Watch."

About AppSpot

AppSpot leverages open source and standards-based technologies to quickly web-enable any UNIX or Linux applications. Using AppSpot, ISVs and enterprises can deliver their applications to users anywhere, via any network connection or device - desktop, thin-client, even wireless handheld.

AppSpot was awarded the 'Best Web Solution' in the 2000 Penguin Playoffs sponsored by Linux Journal.

About WorkSpot

WorkSpot (http://www.workspot.com), a premier Open Source ASP, offers personal and collaborative applications for corporations with diverse or distributed computing systems, including wireless PDA's, Internet appliances, and Windows or Linux PCs. WorkSpot also provides wireless development and application-specific hosting through professional services. WorkSpot customers include Sonics, Inc, Eazel, Wolfram Research, eBay, Barnes & Noble, and OmniSky. WorkSpot was founded in January 1999 and is headquartered in Palo Alto, CA.

Note to Editors: Linux is a trademark of Linus Torvalds. Eazel disclaims any proprietary interest in the marks and names of others.