Lindon, UTAH — (company press release) — Lineo, Inc., a leading developer of embedded Linux system software, today announced the intent to acquire FirePlug Computers, Inc, based in Vancouver, Canada. FirePlug is a leading developer of embedded Linux network application software solutions and also provides strong development expertise in embedded Linux tools.

FirePlug's flagship product is ThinLinux, a distribution of the Linux kernel, selected modules and programs. ThinLinux is currently available for use on minimal Intel and compatible PC-based hardware for next generation embedded and dedicated applications.

“The addition of an embedded firewall and ThinLinux to our Embedix product family broadens and deepens our product offering,” said Bryan Sparks, CEO of Lineo, Inc. “The Linux expertise of FirePlug will help us provide OEMs the development tools they seek to produce smart appliances and other embedded devices.”

ThinLinux is aimed at the traditional Unix programmer and contains additional features that simplify the process of prototyping as well as duplicating and updating the resulting applications systems. ThinLinux can be used ith traditional keyboard/video/mouse support, but also allows applications to boot and run with no local user interface hardware in situations where minimal hardware is necessary. Pre-packaged offerings also include both minimal and full web servers and a wide variety of networking options, allowing OEMs to choose their preferred interface.

“Together, FirePlug and Lineo can grow the embedded system software business more quickly and effectively than as separate companies,” said Richard Pitt, president and CEO of FirePlug. “We will aggressively continue to develop and service the embedded Linux market as a Lineo company.”

FirePlug is the fifth company that Lineo is purchasing. In February, Lineo announced their intent to acquire Zentropix and Rt-Control, providing the Lineo Embedix product family with hard real-time solutions and the ability to embed Linux in small microcontrollers. In March, Lineo announced their intent to acquire USE, a custom engineering firm based in Japan with expertise in a number of hardware platforms and operating systems, and Moreton Bay, providing Lineo with an embedded Linux VPN solution and additional ColdFire Platform support.

FirePlug is based in Vancouver, Canada. The Canadian office will remain intact and augment the existing Lineo Engineering and Professional Services organizations. With the addition of the office in Vancouver, Lineo now has sales, services and engineering offices in Australia, Canada, Japan, Taiwan, the UK, and the United States.

About Lineo, Inc. (www.lineo.com)

Lineo, Inc., a leading developer of embedded Linux system software, develops, markets and sells embedded Linux system software and applications that provide OEMs and consumers with simple, low-cost software for interacting with the Internet via embedded devices. Lineo owns the Embedix product family including Embedix Linux, Embedix SDK and Embedix Browser.

About FirePlug Computers, Inc. (www.fireplug.net)

FirePlug Computers, Inc. is a Canadian company that has developed the ThinLinux software toolkit. This development and deployment platform is a compact Linux distribution, well suited to survive harsh or unattended applications. ThinLinux combines off the shelf applications with short time to market solutions. The company's expertise with Internet and network appliances includes encryption, compression, bridging and wireless routing technologies.

 
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