Targeting consumers not yet on the Net, Ebiz Enterprises will market a US$200 computer running the GNU/Linux operating system.
Ebiz, a manufacturer of Linux and Windows computers, says its Personal Internet Appliance, or PIA, will provide Internet access and include a word processor, spreadsheet, and database. The PIA will feature at least a 2.1 GB hard drive, 32 MB of RAM, an AMD processor, speakers, a keyboard and mouse, Ebiz said. The monitor will be sold separately.
Ebiz said it is negotiating with Internet service providers and other partners to bundle the PIA for $19.95 a month. The PIA will be available from Onsale.com and Ebiz's Web site.
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Embellishing Linux: Objective Reality Computer is working on a new three-dimensional interface for Linux.
Code-named Synapse, the new interface will project familiar interface elements like windows, buttons, and scroll bars into three dimensions. However, though it is designed for Linux, the project's programming code will not be open-source.
"Unfortunately, money currently makes the world go 'round," the company says on its Web site. Objective Reality hopes to release the first developer version in early August for $40, with the first consumer version to follow by the end of the year. It will initially be available only for Linux running on PCs, followed by Linux running on Macs and the BeOS, the company said.
Microsoft Windows and MacOS support is not planned. Synapse won't be a resource hog, the company said, requiring only an AMD K6 chip or Intel Pentium processor running at 133 MHz or above, 16 MB of RAM, and a 3-D accelerator card.
