$59 Linux Desktop Computer To Be Shown At Cebit

Online, February 23, 2011 (Newswire.com) - Calgary, AB -
At Cebit this year (Hall 13, Stand 28) Userful Corporation, the global leader in Linux desktop virtualization, will be demoing and giving away free software licenses for it's Userful MultiSeat software which turns one Linux computer into 11 high performance independent computer stations using standard USB devices such as the HP t100, Wyse E01, Goodway DU2600, Atrust m200, MCT MWS 8820, and DisplayLink devices. Userful MultiSeat enables schools and businesses to deploy more than twice as many computers for the same cost, while enabling up to 11 users to use different applications at the same time from one host computer, each with their own monitor, keyboard, and mouse. At just $59 per seat (education pricing), Userful MultiSeat is the lowest cost computing solution available with the features and performance of a full desktop computer.

Userful MultiSeat enables organizations to quickly deploy large numbers of computer stations for a very low cost, whether in the classroom, office, call center, oil field, hospital, library, military base, hotel, internet cafe, or anywhere else multiple computers in close proximity are needed. It reduces hardware costs by up to 80%, and reduces required infrastructure (power plugs, cabling, etc.) by a factor of 10 as compared to a traditional PC-per-seat solution. It also reduces energy costs by up to 90%, enabling organizations to recover the cost of their computers through electricity cost savings over a few years.

"Userful MultiSeat software and HP multiseat USB thin client hardware are an ideal solution for regions such as India, where schools need to deploy large numbers of full featured computers for minimal cost, using minimal infrastructure," said Rajat Mehta, Country Manager PSG, HP India. "Userful is a professional and responsive company that enables schools to leverage Linux and open source software for a very professional, and high performance user experience."

More than 50,000 schools worldwide are already using Userful to provide millions of students with computer access. Userful has proven to be the computer solution of choice for governments with digital inclusion mandates to provide school age children with computer access, on limited budgets. Countries such as Brazil, who have already successfully deployed over 350,000 Userful computer stations to schools in every municipality, have shown that with the combined cost savings of Userful MultiSeat, Linux, and open source software, it is feasible to provide every student with a comprehensive education using computers, regardless of whether they live in a city or a remote indigenous village with little infrastructure. The Brazilian Ministry of Education has reported saving 60% in up-front costs, and 80% in annual power savings as compared to their previous PC-per-station solutions. To date, Userful has sold more than 750,000 seats.

"Userful and DisplayLink have worked closely together to build support for DisplayLink USB virtual graphics enabled devices with the market leading Userful Linux solution." said Dennis Crespo, DisplayLink Executive VP, Marketing and Business Development. "The performance and ease of use of the Userful MultiSeat software running on DisplayLink technology enabled devices is outstanding. As the leader in USB virtual graphics, DisplayLink is excited to be a part of the super easy way to set-up and run computer sharing. Now schools can spend less time and money configuring systems, and more time providing students with practical computing experience."

Each user individually controls his or her own station and applications. To the user, it seems like they each have their own dedicated PC, but in reality they are all sharing the resources of a single host computer. Set up is Plug-And-Play -- simply plug USB MultiSeat devices into the host PC, plug a monitor, keyboard, and mouse into each USB MultiSeat device, install Userful software, and the system is ready to support multiple users using different applications at the same time from one computer, each with their own monitor, keyboard, and mouse.

Userful MultiSeat is also available as part of a software bundle for schools, called Userful MultiSeat Linux 2011. This all-in-one install DVD is a Linux based software bundle that includes a wide variety of no cost applications such as: Edubuntu operating system, iTALC classroom computer management tool, OpenOffice.org office suite, Firefox web browser, and subject based applications for astronomy, chemistry, languages, mathematics, planning, and more. Hundreds more applications can be installed at no charge with a single click through the Software Center -- a centralized repository of free Linux based applications. Teachers can use additional free open source software to further lower costs, easily tailor curricula to individual students, and monitor and control the classroom computers. Students can develop digital skills that will help them with their school work and prepare them for jobs in the future.

With the included classroom computer management software teachers can centrally manage and monitor the computer stations with ease. For instance teachers can see what each student is doing on their station, send students messages, remotely take control of a student's station, share files with and between students, create or delete student accounts/change passwords, and add a new application to all computer stations by installing it only once on the host computer, among other control features.

"Userful has been flying under the radar, quietly taking the world by storm" said Tim Griffin, President of Userful. "We've already done the world's largest ever desktop virtualization deployment, and one of the largest digital inclusion initiatives in the world. Userful is the perfect solution for anyone who wants the benefits of desktop virtualization, without the price tag. It's also lower cost than netbooks, and doesn't have the same concerns around recharging, durability, theft, e-waste, warranty, or small screen size."

Userful provides a compelling alternative for businesses who no longer want the costs and headaches of a server room, traditional thin clients, or large numbers of PCs. Userful MultiSeat desktop virtualization works with ordinary low cost PCs and zero clients. It's the lowest cost solution that offers important features such as hot desking, fail over capacity, local USB device access, and high performance streaming video.

Userful offers a free 11 station, 90 day pilot for any department of education worldwide so that educators can easily experience first hand the high performance, and ease of use of the solution.

To learn more and to get trial software licenses, visit Hall 13, Stand 28 at Cebit, or phone +1.403.289.2177 ext.795.

About Userful:
Userful Corporation is the world's leading Linux desktop virtualization company with millions of users in over 100 countries. The company's software which turns one computer into 11 lowers desktop computing costs, improves manageability, and reduces both electricity consumption and e-waste. Userful's software is sold through a partner network of resellers and OEMs worldwide.

Trademark notice: Userful MultiSeat Linux 2011, and Userful MultiSeat are trademarks of Userful Corporation. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners.

Press Contacts:
Sean Rousseau, Marketing Manager
Userful
Phone: +1.250.590.7791