Microsoft Plays Catch-up -- Sub-$70 Linux Virtual Desktop

CALGARY, Alberta, Feb. 23 /PRNewswire/ -- Userful Corporation, the world leader in multiseat Linux desktop virtualization, today announced that 30,000 schools worldwide have chosen Userful virtual desktops to reduce computing costs and improve computer-to-student ratios. Microsoft recently announced its own multi-seat solution, Microsoft Windows MultiPoint Server 2010, seven years after Userful pioneered the technology on Linux back in 2002.  Another classic case of Linux vs. Windows, only this time Linux has the upper hand with Userful having already sold 750,000 seats.

Much like Windows MultiPoint, Userful virtual desktops allow up to 10 students to simultaneously and independently share a single PC, each with their own monitor, keyboard, and mouse. Userful supports many of the same USB multi-seat devices as Windows MultiPoint, making it easy to turn one computer into many. Unlike Windows MultiPoint which will require users to purchase a Windows Server license and a separate client access license (CAL) per seat, Userful's solution uses free Linux for the server, reducing the cost to just $69 per seat.

"We think Microsoft joining us in the multiseat space is great news, it underscores the worldwide demand for multi-seat computing -- a demand Userful has been satisfying for seven years now shipping Userful Multiplier for Linux," said Tim Griffin, President of Userful Corp.

Tough economic conditions, budget pressures, and funding shortfalls have led more K-12 school districts to embrace the hardware, maintenance, space, and electricity savings of Userful multiseat Linux desktops. Free Linux and open source software provide cost savings and flexibility that Windows simply can't compete with. Deploying Linux based computer infrastructure frees governments from depending on Microsoft, and allows governments to engage local companies to source and customize a Linux distribution and open source software stack uniquely suited to the needs of their region.

A free 2-user version of Userful Multiplier software for personal or trial use is available from:

http://userful.com/products/downloads/free-2-user

About Userful:

Userful Corporation (http://www.userful.com) is the world's leading Linux Desktop Virtualization company with millions of users in over 100 countries. The company's software which turns 1 computer into 10 lowers desktop computing costs, improves manageability, and reduces both electricity consumption and e-waste.

The full press release is available here:

http://userful.com/press/microsoft-plays-catch-up-linux-virtual-desktop

Trademark notice:

Userful and Userful Multiplier are trademarks of Userful Corporation. Microsoft, and Windows Multipoint Server 2010 are trademarks of Microsoft Corporation.

SOURCE Userful