Media release: Want a free computer?

Calgary, Alberta (Dec 10, 2008) - Need an extra PC around the house? Userful is giving away its innovative software that gives you a second computer for free. They had such a warm response to last years holiday giveaway that they have decided to once again give away their desktop virtualization software which is used on over 30,000 workstations worldwide. It is the perfect way to reduce line-ups for the computer as spouses, parents, and children battle for a turn.

Userful Multiplier software turns one computer into many, enabling a single computer to support multiple users at the same time. Simply connect an extra monitor, USB keyboard, and mouse to your standard computer and this software makes it possible for two users to work on the same PC at the same time.

"The free two-user giveaway doubles the utility and value of your existing computer with minimal cost," says Tim Griffin, President of Userful. "In fact, if you already have an extra monitor and keyboard, it's like getting a free computer."

Userful is giving away its eco-friendly software to show how much un-tapped value lies hidden in today's Desktop PCs. "Environmental responsibility is increasingly on all our minds," says Griffin. "Maintaining an extra PC is a lot of work, and not everyone can afford a second home PC. We had such a warm response to our holiday giveaway last year that we decided to once again give away our software which is being used on over 30,000 workstations worldwide. Everybody likes something free, and it doesn't get much better than a free PC with zero environmental footprint. The opportunity to help make a difference is very satisfying. We're hoping that people will see how well this software works at home and start recommending it to their workplace or school as a way to save the environment and save on IT costs. We've also added a live CD meaning you can carry it with you and transform virtually any PC into a two user computer."

Userful Multiplier software can create up to 10 independent workstations from a single standard PC. This software is being used around the world in schools, libraries, hotels, and other businesses and has provided huge savings on desktop computing costs by reducing the number of computers that need to be purchased and maintained. Userful is quickly becoming the standard for green computing worldwide. Attaching 10 monitors, mice and keyboards to a single computer reduces CO2 emissions by up to 15 tons per year per system and reduces electronic waste by up to 80%. Userful recently stated that in the last year their software saved over 29,000 tons of CO2 emissions, the equivalent of taking 5,000 cars off the road.

The free two-user licenses distributed under this promotion enable users with an extra video card (or a dual-head video card) to add an extra workstation by simply plugging in a spare monitor, USB keyboard and mouse. Thousands of users have obtained free two-user licenses and information about the promotion from http://userful.com/products/free-2-user. There are two free downloads available: a Live CD, which allows you to turn your PC into 2 independent workstations without affecting any of the software on your hard-disk, and one for users already running Linux.

About Userful

Userful is the industry leader in desktop virtualization and multi-station Linux computing: the low-cost, high-performance, green alternative to thin clients. Userful's powerful software transforms standard PCs to support up to 10 simultaneous monitors, keyboards and users, and manages them all at once through a central website. Privately held and founded in 1999, Userful was recently named Alberta's 10th fastest growing company under $20 million in revenue, and has brought affordable green desktop computing to millions of users worldwide. www.userful.com