FREEDOMBOX 2.0 PUBLIC BETA AVAILABLE FOR DOWNLOAD
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE WEDNESDAY, APRIL 7, 2004

Minneapolis, Minnesota

For More Information
Bob Veitch
Serotek Corporation
(612) 341-3030
[log in to unmask]
Sales: [log in to unmask]
Telephone Toll-free: (866) 202-0520


Serotek Corporation, the leading provider of barrier-free Internet access
systems and software and operator of the FreedomBox Network, invites
experienced computer users to participate in the public beta release of
Version 2.0 of its precedent-setting FreedomBox software.  Version 2.0 is so
powerful and unique the company named the product FreedomBox 2.0-FLUID for
FLexible User Interface- Desktop.  FreedomBox 2.0 provides high speed,
barrier-free Internet browsing, plus secure remote access to the user's home
desktop files like documents, pictures, and audio content.

FreedomBox 2.0-FLUID is loaded with powerful new features that make this the
most accessible and efficient Internet browsing tool ever released.  Built
on the proven Mozilla platform, FreedomBox 2.0 is the first voice-enabled
browser to operate on Windows, Linux, and Mac operating systems.  With
FreedomBox we gave many users their first taste of the Internet.  With
FreedomBox 2.0-FLUID we give them the whole meal.  So if you tried
FreedomBox before and found it too simple for your taste, we encourage you
to try FreedomBox 2.0-FLUID and experience what a browser can really do for
advanced users as well as first time users!

FreedomBox 2.0-FLUID is offered to the public at no charge if downloaded
from the Internet.  Interested users can go to <http://www.freedombox.info>,
register for the public beta, and download the software.  As this download
is a beta release, some features and functions may not be fully operational.
Users are asked to report any software problems they experience.  Technical
support will be provided via the FreedomBox 2.0 community forum.  Users are
requested to subscribe to the Forum to fully participate in this public
beta.  Access to the community forum is available from the FreedomBox
assistant page.

The public beta will last until May 1.  During that time, public beta users
have full access to the FreedomBox Network and its features.  FreedomBox 2.0
also provides a free e-mail account.  At the end of the public beta, users
who choose to continue with the FreedomBox Network can continue using the
software for an additional one-month trial membership at no charge.  After
the one-month trial membership, normal FreedomBox Network charges apply.  If
you haven't been participating in the FreedomBox Network, this is a great
chance to give it a try.  In addition to the most complete assembly of
content, customized to the interests of the disability community, FreedomBox
Network has a variety of new features including the ability to check third
party POP 3 e-mail services. A user with FreedomBox 2.0-FLUID installed on a
Key to Freedom (a key-chain sized memory module, pre-loaded with FreedomBox
2.0, that plugs directly into a USB port) can check third party e-mail, send
instant messages, browse the Internet, even access a home desktop, from any
remote computer even if the computer has no screen reader installed.

There is never a charge for a downloaded version of FreedomBox 2.0-FLUID.
Users who do not choose to continue with the FreedomBox Network can still
use the powerful FreedomBox browser at no charge including access to their
free e-mail account, instant messaging, and other free features that will be
announced in the upcoming weeks.  Users who wish to continue to use the
included DECtalk voice and the voice recognition features (both licensed
elements provided by Fonix Corporation) must pay a $25 registration fee.
Account setup fees are waived for users who register the software and
purchase a year of service on the same invoice.  However, users are not
required to purchase ongoing FreedomBox Network services to use the talking
browser even after the trial.  If you prefer to use your own text to speech
FreedomBox will take advantage of any SAPI 4 synthesizer installed on the
Windows system and any of several open source synthesizers available under
Linux.  But if you don't have a screen reader you don't need one.
FreedomBox 2.0-FLUID delivers a complete text to speech capability.

FreedomBox 2.0 offers the skilled computer user powerful new streamlined
tools to do his or her computing faster and more efficiently. And FreedomBox
2.0-FLUID makes it possible for people who have never before used a computer
to become instantly productive, tapping into online resources, sending and
receiving e-mail, shopping and more. As with all Flexible User
Interface-enabled technologies, FreedomBox 2.0 can be controlled by voice,
keyboard, touch screen, IST switch or potentially, any signaling methodology
that can be linked to a computer. Thus it is the perfect tool for people who
have just recently lost their sight or are otherwise limited by conventional
computer interfaces.

FreedomBox 2.0-FLUID is a fully accessible desktop environment providing a
primary personal interface between the user and all his or her information
resources. These might include any digital information or entertainment that
might be found on the Worldwide Web; a whole host of unique Internet-enabled
services such as e-mail, chat, shopping, entertainment, etc.; any
information, entertainment files, or applications on the user's connected
personal information appliances, other computers and servers on the local
area network.  (Note that during public beta release, not all applications
may be operative.)

The Flexible User Interface makes the technology adapt to the user, rather
than forcing the user to learn the arcane language and procedures of the
technology. It is fully intuitive and requires no special training to use.
Most people, even elderly people who have never before used a computer, are
up and running sending e-mails, shopping on line, downloading entertainment
in minutes.

FreedomBox 2.0-FLUID is platform independent. You can install it under
Windows, Linux, and (coming soon) Mac.  It provides the first speech-enabled
fully functional browser for the Linux environment.

FreedomBox 2.0-FLUID includes:

* A full information resource browser and search engine, capable of locating
any file, Web page, entertainment file, or application on the user's system,
local area network, or the Internet. This is a fast, clean, powerful browser
that gets you where you want to go on the Web fast without slowing down your
system with tons of advertising and eye-candy.

* Spam and pop-up advertising blocker

* A free e-mail account and access to instant messaging services by ICQ,
MSN, Yahoo, or AOL Instant messenger.

* Web based E-mail access to other third party POP3 e-mail accounts the user
might have

* Access to the full range of FB Network features - the richest collection
of content ever assembled for users with vision and other disabilities

* FreedomBox's unique Community Supported Accessible Web feature allows any
user to label the links, form elements, and buttons at any Web site and
makes those updates available to all other C-SAW enabled browsers

Each copy of FreedomBox 2.0-FLUID is digitally licensed to a particular user
and computer.  During the public beta period, users are asked to post any
problems they encounter to the FreedomBox 2.0 forum, fixes as required, will
be released from time to time and be downloaded automatically until the end
of the public beta cycle.  There is no direct telephone tech support during
the public beta period. We provide support only through community forums
online. Subscription to the forum is not a must to take part in the public
beta however we do hope that people will take the opportunity to post their
feedback to the forum.

Everyone is welcome to join the public beta.  Put the browser through its
paces.  We're confident that once you've surfed the Web on FreedomBox
2.0-FLUID you'll make it your Desktop of choice!

To sign up for a trial please visit http://www.freedombox.info and click the
appropriate link. Remember users taking part in the public beta cannot use
Version 1.2 of the FreedomBox software during the public beta cycle.

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