Ximian Rolls out the Red Carpet for Opera

OSLO, Norway-- October 23, 2001--Opera Software ASA, the developer of the Opera Web browser, the fastest browser on earth, today announced that it has joined with Ximian, Inc., the leading open-source desktop company, to deliver its Opera for Linux Web browser through the Ximian Red Carpet Program. Red Carpet is a software management solution that efficiently and securely keeps Linux and UNIX systems up-to-date.

Through the Red Carpet Program, the Opera for Linux Web browser has a direct connection to hundreds of thousands of Ximian desktop customers who use Red Carpet to install, maintain and update the software on their Linux computers.

"Red Carpet's intuitive end-user design and broad support for different Linux distributions makes it an exciting solution for Operas users, said Jon S. von Tetzchner, CEO of Opera Software ASA. "

Opera Software ASA is among the first participants in the Red Carpet Partner Program.

"Opera for Linux is an innovative browser, and we are pleased to have Opera join the Red Carpet Program, said David Patrick, president and CEO of Ximian. Operas unique surfing experience, combined with Ximian Red Carpets growing library of software, expands a complete software solution for the Linux desktop."

About Opera Software ASA:
Opera Software ASA is an industry leader in the development of Web browsers for the desktop and device markets, partnering with companies such as IBM, AMD, Symbian, Canal+ Technologies, Ericsson, and Lineo. The Opera browser has received international recognition from end-users and the industry press for being faster, smaller and more standards-compliant than other browsers. Opera Software ASA is a privately held company headquartered in Oslo, Norway. Learn more about Opera at www.opera.com/.

About Ximian, Inc.
Ximian is the established leader in providing open-source desktop technology, applications, support and services for the Linux and UNIX marketplaces. Ximian products, in use by over 800,000 people worldwide, are providing the ease of use, productivity and interoperability needed to propel the adoption of the Linux desktop in corporate computing environments. Its Ximian Desktop software starts with Ximian GNOME, a productized end-user desktop based on the GNOME project, to provide a complete graphical desktop environment and productivity application suite for Linux and UNIX systems. Ximian Red Carpet and Ximian Evolution deliver software and personal information management solutions for both end-users and corporate customers. Comprised of many of the original architects of the GNOME system, Ximian is a founding member of the GNOME Foundation and sits on the advisory board. The company has secured funding from leading venture firms Charles River Ventures and Battery Ventures and can be reached at www.ximian.com/.

Ximian, Ximian Evolution and Red Carpet are trademarks of Ximian, Inc.

# # # Contact:

Pål A. Hvistendahl
Communications Manager
Pal@opera.com
Tel: +47 99 72 4331

Katherine Barrios
PR Manager Americas & Asia/Pacific
Kathy@opera.com
Tel: +47 24 16 44 03