Eazel and Dell Partner to Make Computers Easier to Use; Dell to Bundle Eazel's Nautilus Software and Eazel Services on Linux Systems; Makes Equity Investment in Eazel.

Business Editors/High-Tech Writers

MOUNTAIN VIEW, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Dec. 4, 2000

Eazel Inc., the developer of software and services to make computers easier to use, today announced a partnership with Dell, the world's leading direct computing systems company, that is expected to expand the adoption of Linux.

Under the terms of the agreement, Dell will ship Eazel's network user environment with its Linux-based desktop and notebook products. Eazel's network user environment, which includes Eazel's Nautilus software and Eazel Services, extends the user experience by fully embracing and exploiting new possibilities created by the Internet. In addition, Dell Ventures -- Dell's investment arm -- has made an equity investment in Eazel signaling a continued commitment to the Linux market.

Nautilus provides users with an intuitive user environment and integrated access to Eazel's suite of Internet-based services that greatly ease the maintenance and support of the Linux computing environment. The software tightly integrates access to files, applications, digital media, Internet-based services, and the Web.

The preview release of Eazel Services includes two of the services that will be available when Nautilus is bundled with Dell's Linux systems, Eazel Software Catalog and Eazel Online Storage. The Eazel Software Catalog enables easy, one click installation of software over the Internet from a comprehensive Linux software library. Eazel Online Storage makes it easy to store files on the Web, share them with other users, and access them remotely from any computer with a browser. The preview of Nautilus with integrated Eazel Services can be downloaded at http://www.eazel.com/download.

"We are pleased that Dell chose to deliver Nautilus, the network user environment, to their Linux customers," said Mike Boich, chief executive officer of Eazel Inc. "Dell's market leadership and wide market reach will clearly accelerate the adoption of Linux by a broader base of users."

"Dell is very interested in enhancing the customer experience and usability of Linux on the desktop," said Jim Totton, vice president Software at Dell. "Eazel provides an integrated suite of software tools and services that will help accomplish this."

Nautilus is an open source project being developed under the GPL (GNU General Public License) and is a core component of the GNOME desktop project. Eazel is a member of the GNOME foundation. The partnership between Dell and Eazel broadens the reach of the GNOME desktop by pre-installing it on select Dell systems running Linux along with Eazel's Nautilus software. Additional information about GNOME is available at www.gnome.org.

About Eazel

Eazel (http://www.eazel.com) develops software and services to make computers easier to use. Eazel's Nautilus Network User Environment (NUE) provides a superior user experience that embraces and leverages the possibilities of the Internet. Eazel is a private company headquartered in Mountain View, Calif., and is backed by Silicon Valley venture investors Accel Partners. In May of 2000 Eazel was listed as one of Red Herring Magazine's "Ten Companies To Watch."

Note to Editors: Dell is a trademark of Dell Computer Corporation.

Linux is a trademark of Linus Torvalds. Eazel disclaims any proprietary interest in the marks and names of others.