LOCAL NET SOLUTIONS EDUCATES WITH ENTERPRISE LINUX

ATLANTA PUBLIC SCHOOLS GETS CUTTING-EDGE LINUX TECHNOLOGY

April 20, 2007

ATLANTA - Local Net Solutions (est. 1998) has recently completed a groundbreaking pilot project which installed over 2,000 computers for students in Atlanta Public Schools. The ambitious technology expansion was made possible by employing Linux "Thin Client" computers that run Open Source software from centralized servers. The book-sized Thin Clients are compact and efficient, with no moving parts like disk drives or fans that wear out and consume electricity. The tiny systems are now providing reliable and speedy Internet access, plus hundreds of other powerful Open Source educational applications, to more than four thousand Atlanta elementary and middle school students.

James Kinney, CEO and Director of Engineering for Local Net Solutions, engineered the large-scale adaptation of the Linux Thin Client model as a complete and cost-effective solution to Atlanta Public Schools' goal of a 2-to-1 student to computer ratio in each classroom. The designs foundation in Open Source technology provides reliability, security and license freedom that greatly reduces the costs of educational technology for Atlanta Public Schools at every level, from hardware purchasing to power bills. The Thin Client networking being used is a branch of the same Linux technologies that now run most of the Internet, including the popular Google web site.

All 2,200 thin clients throughout the seven pilot schools are run using just 31 servers, including one data server at each school which stores the working files created by students and teachers. The Open Source license allowed Local Net Solutions to develop many enhancements to both the Operating System and software during installation, and once a server has been upgraded the system improvements are instantly available on every connected student computer.

The list of included applications goes well beyond the familiar Internet and office tools like web browsers, word processors, spreadsheets and presentation builders. It also provides students free access to hundreds of other powerful packages - from education, graphics and publishing to programming, drafting and 3D animation. Supplying even a portion of these capabilities using any other software license would have added thousands of dollars to the cost of every student computer. The Local Net Solutions design delivers a tremendous range of educational software in a form that every student can access from any Thin Client in the school. There are no limits on application use due to software cost or licensing restrictions. All of the programs installed by Local Net Solutions encourage students to freely use and share both the programs and the knowledge gained by using them. This is a perfect fit for school systems since they also encourage open use and sharing of knowledge.

With completion of its pilot project installations, Atlanta Public Schools becomes the first public school system in the State of Georgia to embrace the promising advantages of Linux Thin Client technology. The project also establishes Local Net Solutions as the first systems integrator in the United States to successfully scale the Linux Thin Client model to the school-wide enterprise level.

"Seeing hundreds of Atlanta school kids with their noses practically glued to the screens was worth all the long hours," says Mr. Kinney. Local Net Solutions estimates that implementing Linux Thin Clients will save Atlanta taxpayers hundreds of thousands of dollars in maintenance, power and support costs over the long lifespan of the tiny machines. The real benefit was realized when several principals credited the Linux Thin Clients installed by Local Net Solutions as the source of the markedly improved student math scores they are now reporting.

About Local Net Solutions

Local Net Solutions is a privately held Georgia corporation that specializes in Linux Systems and Technology. Early involvement with the expanding Linux technology field uniquely situated Local Net Solutions for growing market dominance in the support specialties of Linux Thin Clients, Linux Business Performance Systems and complete, multi-platform IT integration support.