Thousands of soldiers will use SKOOT(TM) to "scoot" huge files of photos, video, music, data to family and friends creating a Private Family Network(R)

TACOMA, Wash., June 5 /PRNewswire/ -- US Soldiers will no longer be able to use the Defense Department's network to log onto My Space, YouTube and more than a dozen other websites. The troops use the websites to socialize with friends and family back home by sending and receiving pictures and journals and other information. Concerned about security, the Department of Defense is now restricting soldiers' use of these sites, while they are on the department's computer system. In addition, the Defense Department just released an alert about the potential vulnerability posed by the new SnoopStick USB Flash Drive, which, once docked, allows real-time monitoring of that computer, including Internet usage, Instant Message and Chat Room conversations. 

Topia Technology Offers Solution: "Operation TroopSkoot(TM)" -- Janine Terrano is founder and CEO of Topia Technology, one of Washington State's fastest growing companies. Topia has been working with both the US Army Intelligence Security Command and the Federal Aviation Administration on multi-year contracts dealing with net-centric programs following 9/11.

Watching the war coverage recently Terrano could only imagine the pain of being separated from family and having few Internet communications options left. So she requested that Topia staff meet with some Fort Lewis soldiers and their families and wondered if the same technology being tested by the DOD could also be used in a more intimate way-to help everyone keep in touch.

Calling it "Operation TroopSkoot" (http://www.troopskoot.com), Topia is donating thousands of the revolutionary data sharing technology, SKOOT, on USB drives to the spring deployment from Fort Lewis. SKOOT enables soldiers,families and friends to create a Private Family Network(R) for securely communicating and sharing data while bypassing email and other banned Internet programs. SKOOT has been tested up to 65 gigabytes or the equivalent of TEN feature length films enabling families to share home videos, pictures, documents and more. Data of unrestricted size is securely and instantly "skooted" through cyberspace. "We need to help bolster the morale of our families and soldiers on the battlefield and here at home," says Terrano. "SKOOT can help by creating a Private Family Network --secure, private     and   reliable!"


Loneliness and homesickness are not benign issues -- "TroopSkoot will help solve a major challenge that our soldiers face every day -- that of trying to have two-way communications with their families," said (Ret.)
Major General Gene Daniel, former Deputy Commander of the US VII Corps during Desert Storm. "Their inability to communicate with loved ones may sound harmless but I assure you this can affect a Soldier's morale. Our troops must be able to feel connected and not worry about what's going on back  home."

Packing For War -- Sergeant Ramon Ewing is methodically packing for Iraq. The special gear he's taking -- the Kevlar vest, helmet, boots and uniform -- protect his physical body. But the tiny piece of hardware he was given known as SKOOT will protect his emotional well being. The technology means Sgt. Ewing won't exactly miss his son's first day at school and he won't miss his daughter's birthday when he leaves Fort Lewis Army Base outside Tacoma. It took Yakita, his wife, just minutes to load onto SKOOT, all the family movies, special messages and some family documents. She'll be sending pictures and videos of those special, upcoming events and any important family documents they need to review together. 

When Sgt. Ewing has access to a computer and Internet connection, he'll simply plug in the thumb drive, view, send his own pictures and journals and even share all that information at the same time with his wife. And he won't be violating the Pentagon's new order. Topia's technology will soon revolutionize the way individuals and companies do business by quickly transferring massive amounts of information but right now SKOOT is helping revolutionize the way our separated families, stay together. And for Sgt. Ewing and his family, right now that's all that matters.
"Our goal is to increase the morale of the military forces stationed abroad that are supporting the War on Terrorism, and helping to keep the family unit connected: Sending large files allows them to receive messages from home without any difficulties," said Vicky Mohler, President of Support America's Armed Forces(TM).

 What Makes SKOOT(TM) Different?
 
     -- Answer to Pentagon's recent computer use restrictions      for soldiers
     using the Department of Defense computer network.


     -- Unprecedented file-sharing capability -- the equivalent     of up to TEN  FEATURE LENGTH FILMS worth of data: photos,     home movies,videos,
       graphics, MP3 files and all other large digital files.
    -- Bypasses the hassles of email and FTP for immediate and     secure transfer.
    -- Self-contained on thumbdrive for Troop portability and     easy download for desktop subscriptions
    -- Compact size makes it easy to keep with you at all times.
    -- In power or connectivity loss Skoot(TM) remembers and resumes operation where it left off 

    -- Limitless applications for any individual or company using email or overnight delivery service for large data     file transfer (legal briefs,news footage,photos,brochures         etc.).


 
SKOOT(TM) is a subscription service available now at http://www.skootit.com. Soldiers interested in the TroopSkoot program can also visit http://www.troopskoot.com.

About SKOOT(TM)

Skoot Workspace is a simplified information sharing system for files and data of any size and any number of recipients. A click on the Skoot Workplace icon on the desktop shoots off files bypassing email systems to transfer large files hassle-free from machine to machine direct to the desktop over the internet. Simply put, users just drag, drop and share files. After files are received, a status report is sent both to sender and recipient(s). Non-invasive and cross-platform, Skoot works regardless of machine type and operating system and allows both sender and receiver access to shared files for optimum usability. Skoot promises to deliver files effortlessly, reliably, securely and efficiently.


 
About Topia Technology

Topia Technology Inc was founded in 1999. Topia's core technology, Kolona is an infrastructure-enabling technology based on mobile objects. Kolona provides solutions to complex distributed systems specifically through its ability to integrate disparate systems. Topia presented Kolona as a solution to improve air traffic security to the Federal Aviation Administration FAA and local officials following September 11, 2001. The company has since been awarded several contracts including those by the FAA and US Army Intelligence Security Command representing contract awards in excess of $8 million. http://www.topiatechnology.com.



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