February 7, 2000 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE "Local Linux Community offers Free Software at Microsoft Event" On February 17th members of the Kansas Unix & Linux Users Association (KULUA) will be giving away copies of the Linux operating system outside of Bartle Hall in downtown Kansas City during the Microsoft Windows2000 launch event. KULUA will be giving away free software and handouts starting at 5:00pm CST. Linux is a free alternative to Windows that is rapidly gaining in popularity. Linux distributor Red Hat estimates that there are some 8 million Linux users worldwide. Research firm International Data Corporation reports that the Linux server market has ballooned to some 750,000 installations. While Microsoft is giving away free T-shirts in order to lure users into a sales pitch for their $300+ "Windows 2000", the Linux community is giving away actual copies of their operating system for free. Microsoft has sent many press releases out in order to promote this commercial product, and it is anticipated that many local news outlets will cover this marketing drive as a community "event". As an alternative, KULUA, an organization made up of local users of Linux, is promoting their free alternative to Windows. We will be giving away free copies of Linux to those attending the Microsoft event. Says Dustin Decker of KULUA, "Microsoft would like us to believe that Windows 2000 is the only viable operating system out there, and that you need to pay a lot of money for a reliable and scalable operating system. This simply isn't true. Linux is a free alternative that really works. While Bill Gates is handing out free T-shirts, we'll be handing out free software." This is a great opportunity for reporters to offer a balanced view of the software industry when reporting from Microsoft's carefully scripted marketing event. Members of KULUA are available for interviews before February 17, and we encourage any live coverage reports of the event to visit us and interview KULUA members handing out free software. ABOUT LINUX Linux is an operating system written cooperatively by computer programmers all over the world. Linux is available for download free off of the Internet, or one can buy a distribution complete with documentation and support from many different vendors at stores such as Best Buy and CompUSA. Linux is considered "Free Software" or "Open Source", and is available under the GNU General Purpose License (GPL). Linux is currently available for many platforms, including PCs and Macintoshes, and has been embraced by such prominent companies as IBM, Dell, and Oracle. Popular websites such as eToys.com and DejaNews.com use Linux extensively. Recently, IPOs by companies related to Linux such as Red Hat (RHAT) and VA Linux (LNUX) have set stock market records. ABOUT KULUA The Kansas Unix & Linux Users Association (KULUA) is a local user group of Linux and Unix enthusiasts with over four hundred members. KULUA's membership is very diverse, ranging from hobbyists and students to professors and IT professionals. KULUA was founded in 1995 and covers the Kansas City, Lawrence, and Topeka area. Anyone interested in Linux or Unix is welcome to join. For more information, go to . There is no fee to join. CONTACTS Jeffrey Watts President, KULUA watts@kulua.org (913)534-3726 Dustin Decker Event Coordinator dustind@zandura.net (816)803-9922