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Startup AbsoluteValue Systems Announces World'sFirst Wireless LAN System Developers’ Kit

— AbsoluteValue Systems' (AVS') new wireless LAN developers’ kit combines Intersil's PRISM™ IEEE 802.11-compliant 11Mbps WLAN technology, an embedded computing platform, Linux^® software, and AVS-proprietary software to form a

MAITLAND, FL, June 26, 2000 — AbsoluteValue Systems, the developers of linux-wlan™, the leading Linux^® Wireless Local Area Network (WLAN) driver package, is announcing today the AVS Wireless LAN System Developers Kit. The development kit is a complete package of software, hardware, documentation and source code that allows developers to implement a WLAN system in very little time. AbsoluteValue Systems is also offering support packages with the kit for those needing assistance in completing their designs.

"This kit is ideal for WLAN product companies trying to implement Access Points, for developers of Internet appliances or other embedded systems trying to add wireless to their application, or for researchers doing wireless experimentation," said Brian Mathews, Vice President of Marketing at AbsoluteValue Systems and previously the founder of the PRISM™ product line at Intersil. "All WLAN products have the same foundational elements. We provide that foundation, complete with source code, so the developer can focus on value-added differentiating features. The kit is really a 'platform for innovation'."

"The scalability of Linux is the key," said Mark Mathews, Chief Technical Officer of AbsoluteValue Systems. "We develop software under Linux which can be easily ported to any target, from high-end workstations all the way down to tiny embedded single board computers like the one included in our WLAN Developers Kit, allowing us to leverage a single effort into many solutions."

"Our partner companies, Embedded Planet, Montavista, and Intersil, were key in making this product happen," said Jo-Ellen Mathews, Operations V.P. and primary developer of the AVS WLAN Developers Kit. "Embedded Planet's software development platform, Linux Planet™, with Montavista's Hardhat™ Linux^® embedded software made an excellent foundation for the development of this kit. Our software development expertise for the IEEE 802.11 standard and Intersil’s PRISM II chipset technology, the leading Wireless LAN chip technology in the industry, provides the 802.11 value-add wireless LAN capability included in the kit."

"Our collaboration with AbsoluteValue Systems underscores our commitment to make wireless network connectivity a reality for all types of computing devices and platforms," said Larry Ciaccia, vice president and general manager of PRISM Wireless Products at Intersil. "This kit will be a valuable enabler to companies applying PRISM wireless technology to embedded and other non-Windows applications."

Linux is the fast-growing, Unix-like operating system that is widely used for file server, web server, and other 'back office' applications. The use of Linux as a desktop operating system has dramatically increased over the past few years. Originally developed for personal computers, Linux has now been ported to nearly all popular computing platforms. In recent years, new versions of Linux have been developed which are optimized for use in small embedded computer systems. The AVS WLAN Developers Kit includes a version of Linux installed on a small embedded computer using a PowerPC™ microprocessor from Motorola.

AbsoluteValue Systems (AVS) is in a startup mode with respect to offering Wireless LAN products. However, the company has been highly successful as a software development services company under the name AbsoluteValue Software since 1993. AVS is now leveraging its expertise in the 802.11 wireless LAN protocol, embedded applications, and the Linux^® operating system to develop a full line of products for the WLAN market. AVS' founders include Mark Mathews, primary developer of the linux-wlan driver software package, and Jo-Ellen Mathews, primary developer of the AVS WLAN Developers Kit. Brian Mathews has recently joined AVS to lead the marketing and product planning efforts. Brian was previously at Intersil where he initiated and led the original PRISM™ chipset project. For more information, visit the

AbsoluteValue Systems web site at http://www.linux-wlan.com.

PRISM is a registered trademark of Intersil Corporation, Linux is a registered trademark of Linus Torvalds, HardHat is a trademark of MontaVista Software Incorporated, PowerPC is a trademark of Motorola Corporation and Linux Planet and Embedded Planet are registered trademarks of Embedded Planet, Incorporated.