TUCOWS.com Creates Industry’s First Advisory Council to Promote Development of User Friendly LINUX Applications

TUCOWS and Industry Leaders to Examine Open Source Economic Models

TORONTO, Canada, February 2, 2000 - TUCOWS.com Inc. (www.tucows.com), the Internet's leading distributor of digital content, today announced the formation of the industry's first Open Development Advisory Council (ODAC) to examine economic models for open-source software programs. The TUCOWS led Council will support and assist the open-source developer community by creating a laboratory for testing economic models. This is intended to facilitate easy-to-use open-source applications for broader use in personal computers, handheld, even cell phone marketplaces.

The Council will also encourage and guide software developers to port their existing applications to Linux; demonstrate the business value of Linux and open-source software distribution; and, collaborate on projects that assist disadvantaged individuals unable to access mainstream software applications.

"ODAC will help the industry develop mainstream open-source applications for the desktop and beyond by creating greater economic incentive," said Elliot Noss, president and CEO, TUCOWS.com Inc. "We will act as a strategic resource for the open-source development community to not only identify unique economic opportunities for Linux and open-source software, but also help them enhance the appeal and advantages of their open-source programs to end users worldwide."

Chaired by Noss, the Council has already recruited senior-level executives from the technology industry, including: Byron Wagner, CEO MetaWire, Dan Bricklin CTO Tellix Corporation, Dave Whitinger, founder of Linux Today and Linsight, Jeffrey Rayport, professor Harvard Business School and president of Monitor Marketspace Center, and Howard A. Jacobson, director of Corporate Development, Red Hat. Its next monthly meeting will take place during the third week of February.

About Tucows.com Inc.

TUCOWS.com has become the leading provider of software on the Internet by creating an open source marketplace which is comprehensive and easy to use. The current TUCOWS libraries include Windows, Linux, PDA/Handhelds, BeOS, Mac, Games, Themes, Music and Kids with collectively nearly 40,000 titles. TUCOWS has also established itself as the leading wholesaler of domain registration solutions through its Assigned Names Division. TUCOWS has grown to over 90 million page views per month with 6 million monthly unique visitors. With over 750 affiliates in 75 countries hosting the TUCOWS libraries, TUCOWS has the largest independent software distribution network in the world providing the user with a fast, local download. Linux® is a registered trademark of Linus Torvalds.

Contact Info:
Charmaine D'Silva
Public Relations Manager
TUCOWS.com Inc.
(work) 416-239-9095 X240
(cell) 416-824-8374
charm@tucows.com

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