hp selects Ximian GNOME as Open Source desktop

Ximian GNOME selected by Hewlett Packard as Open Source Desktop for HP-UX Workstations

Demonstration showcased at LinuxWorld Conference and Expo in New York

New York, New York— February 1, 2001— Linux World — Hewlett-Packard Company (NYSE:HWP) today announced that it will ship the open source Ximian GNOME Desktop as the default desktop for HP-UX workstations after the release of HP-UX-11i. The partnership will offer HP customers a modern open source desktop environment, complete with a range of open source applications built for Linux. The Ximian GNOME Desktop is an enhanced, tested version of the open source GNOME desktop, making it easy to install, use and support. HP is adopting Ximian GNOME as an open standard to provide a common desktop for Linux and HP-UX.

CDE, the current desktop environment for HP-UX, will continue to be supported by HP. In addition, HP will provide customers with tools and a migration path for customers who are interested in Ximian GNOME.

Co-development between the two companies is already underway: Ximian and HP engineers are working closely together to meet HP-UX customers' specific requirements for functionality and stability. The Ximian GNOME Desktop will be available for download for HP-UX 11.0 and Linux workstations later this year. A demonstration will be conducted in the Ximian booth at LinuxWorld Conference and Expo.

"Our customers are constantly seeking the most innovative options and want access to the latest and greatest open source applications," stated Stephen Geary, HP's Linux development lab manager. "We are committed to the open source methodology and community, and are excited about migrating our HP-UX and Linux workstations towards a common desktop. With more than 500,000 users, the Ximian GNOME desktop is a proven technology that will make our customers' lives easier and more productive."

"We are excited to be working with HP to drive the adoption of open source software in the greater computing industry." said Nat Friedman, Ximian co-founder and CEO. "This partnership represents a major step for Ximian GNOME, which is now achieving broad acceptance in the workstation market. We look forward to continuing to work with HP to make Ximian GNOME the most modern, functional and cost-effective user environment for the world's most demanding organizations."

Some of the specifics of the HP/Ximian partnership include:

• Ximian will port Ximian GNOME to HP-UX for PA-RISC and IA64.
• Ximian GNOME will ship as the default desktop on HP-UX beginning with the next major release of HP-UX after 11i, and as a client environment for HP Linux workstations in late 2001.
• HP will use Ximian GNOME as an open standard to provide a common desktop for Linux and HP-UX, providing a consistent user experience and a portable development platform
• Ximian will provide on-going technical support to HP.
• Ximian GNOME for HP workstations will include all of Ximian's network services.

"Such a close working relationship with HP is the ultimate validation of our technology," adds Miguel de Icaza, Ximian co-founder and CTO. "The combination of continuous open source development with the rigorous and careful testing tradition of HP will deliver the reliable products that HP users demand."

HP and Ximian are members of the GNOME foundation, the industry's forum for setting the technical direction of the GNOME project while promoting the broad adoption of GNOME on Linux and Unix desktops.

About the Ximian GNOME Desktop
The Ximian GNOME Desktop is a graphical user interface (GUI) for Linux and other Unix systems. It installs seamlessly onto a user's desktop, and adds the ease-of-use and professional polish of a modern desktop to the power and customization of a Linux or Unix environment. Easy to install, support, and upgrade, Ximian's GNOME Desktop is a powerful tool for IT departments, and can significantly reduce the total cost of ownership for the desktop.

About HP
Hewlett Packard Company-- a leading global provider of computing and imaging solutions and services -- is focused on making technology and its benefits accessible to individuals and businesses through simple appliances, useful e-services and an Internet infrastructure that's always on.

HP has 88,500 employees worldwide and had total revenue from continuing operations of $48.8 billion in its 2000 fiscal year. Information about HP and its products can be found on the World Wide Web at http://www.hp.com/

About Ximian

Based in Boston, Massachusetts, Ximian (formerly Helix Code, Inc.) builds Ximian GNOME, the world's most user-friendly and cost-effective Internet desktop. In use by more than 500,000 people, the company's software adds an attractive and easy-to-use interface to the power of Linux and Unix operating systems. Ximian is pursuing an aggressive plan of open source application development, providing technology, support, and network services to the Linux and Unix marketplace. Ximian, comprised of many of the original architects of the GNOME system, is a founding member of the GNOME foundation and sits on the advisory board. The company has secured funding from leading VC firms Charles River Ventures and Battery Ventures. For more information, visit http://linux.hp.com/news_events/www.ximian.com.

Ximian is a trademark of Ximian, Inc. in the Units States and/or other countries. The names of other companies and products mentioned herein may be the trademarks of their respective owners.