By John Leyden
An Israeli Linux startup will launch its desktop environment,
which features an animated assistant, at the Comdex trade show in
Las Vegas next week.
The Epitera desktop will feature remote-access customer support
and ‘flashy’ desktop help in the form of an animated intelligent
assistant named Kandu, which the company claims will provide more
intuitive and proactive support than the assistant found in, for
example, Microsoft Office.
The system, which will be offered to mainstream consumer and
corporate PC users, will also allow customer support personnel to
remotely access a customer’s computer to assist with problem
diagnosis and resolution.
Yoram Salinger, chief executive at the startup, said:
“Basically, we’re taking away one of the major obstacles to
widespread adoption of Linux – quick and efficient customer
support. Furthermore, we have devised a method that allows for the
automatic download and installation of new applications.”
Vista Source’s Applixware for Linux 5.0 and AnyWareOffice suites
will run on the Epitera desktop. The AnyWareOffice server-centric
suite features the usual office applications alongside an email and
database client and a development tool set for custom
applications.
In addition, the desktop will include personal productivity
tools, multimedia players and viewers, communication tools,
security applications, and general utilities such as compression,
diagnostics, backup and fax.