SUSE LINUX, with the AMD Opteron* Processor, lowers hardware costs and provides high availability and high-performance computing for mission-critical databases

WALTHAM, Mass.— April 27, 2005 — Feedster, a rapidly growing Internet search engine and advertising network based in San Francisco, has reduced its operating hardware costs by 60 percent by deploying Novell's SUSE® LINUX Enterprise Server on AMD 64-bit hardware architecture. With SUSE LINUX support for the AMD Opteron* Processor, Feedster gains greater performance and cost savings from a 64-bit computing environment. Feedster selected Linux* over alternative solutions because it provides an infrastructure that is especially efficient for Internet-based businesses. As a result, Feedster has been able to demonstrate lower operating costs, a key component in securing additional funding.

“If you're not running Linux, it’s difficult for an emerging Internet business like ours to get funding,” said Scott Rafer, CEO of Feedster. “To build a business in a scalable, reliable and cost-effective way, Linux is the only way to go. That is why we chose both SUSE LINUX Enterprise Server and the AMD Opteron.”

As with any rapidly growing Internet-based business, Feedster's founders were concerned about server reliability and support for their databases, since downtime can often result in lost revenues. After an extensive evaluation, Feedster decided against basing their business on one of the free Linux distributions because of lack of support and accountability. They chose SUSE LINUX Enterprise Server because of the comprehensive ecosystem of support and training offered worldwide by Novell. Feedster also runs MySQL* with AMD64 Technology, both of which are certified for SUSE LINUX Enterprise Server.

“We found that SUSE LINUX Enterprise Server was the clear performance winner versus Red Hat when running on the AMD Opteron processor,” said Nick Heyman, director of operations at Feedster. “And when your hardware vendor is telling you to use SUSE LINUX, you listen. SUSE LINUX is the clear choice for a stable database platform.”

Feedster indexes over six million syndicated feeds, including more than 75,000 professionally published sources such as the The New York Times, BBC, CNET, IDG, and Wired, adding approximately 50,000 new feeds daily. The innovative approach to providing advanced search engine functionality is enabling Feedster to change the expectations of Internet searchers and influence the development of search engines.

“Internet based business are by nature fast paced and dependent on technology that offers high levels of security, reliability and performance – and Linux solutions are particularly suitable for deployment in these areas” said David Patrick, vice president and general manager for Linux and Open Source in Novell. “We are delighted that Novell's Linux solutions are able to provide a sound basis for Feedster's technological infrastructure.”

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