U.S. Robotics Offers Free Web Pages In Towne Square 2000 Interactive Online Community

Business Wire, Nov 25, 1996

SKOKIE, Ill.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Nov. 25, 1996--U.S. Robotics (NASDAQ:USRX) today announced Towne Square 2000(SM) (http://townesquare.usr.com), an interactive online community that brings together World Wide Web users, and allows them to create their own Web presence at no charge, without any HTML programming. Offering more than 40 customizable templates, Towne Square 2000 gives users the ability to build and post their own home and resume Web pages. In addition, they can build online "launch pads," Web pages with direct links to their favorite sites.

"Towne Square 2000 makes Web page creation fun and easy, and accessible to those who may be new to the Internet," said Neil Clemmons, vice president of marketing for U.S. Robotics' Personal Communications Division. "This site provides customers with a place to gather and interact, and allows them to take an active role in creating and evolving an online community."

Towne Square 2000 allows Web surfers to advertise their business, meet new people, share their interests and hobbies, find a job, or sell their car. Without any special software or knowledge of HTML, registered U.S. Robotics product owners can author up to ten pages for online resumes, small businesses, favorite links, hobbies and interests, and online classified ads. Pages can be customized by altering background colors, and text and link colors. Users who are not registered U.S. Robotics product owners can create a Web presence with up to three pages.

Towne Square 2000 includes an online help system, and a powerful engine for searching other Towne Square 2000 members' pages. There is no charge for adding to or modifying pages.

The Towne Square 2000 site can be accessed by all HTML 2.0 supported browsers, but Java-enabled browsers are recommended to take advantage of Towne Square 2000's customized preferences and animated graphics.

Towne Square 2000 is dynamic and will continue to evolve, incorporating such features as virtual postcards, real-time chats, custom pages with clip art, and holiday Web page templates. Also planned are uploadable custom graphics, automatic Web site registration with a variety of major search engines, templates specifically designed for children and families, and automatic registration of resume pages with online employment services. To help customers further enjoy the Towne Square 2000 experience, U.S. Robotics is planning a variety of special promotions and contests. Towne Square 2000 will be featured and demonstrated to media only at the Internet Press Reception, December 11th, at Fall Internet World in New York City.

U.S. Robotics is one of the world's leading suppliers of products and systems that provide access to information. The company designs, manufactures, markets and supports remote access servers, LAN switching equipment, desktop/mobile client products and modems, telephony products and handheld organizers. U.S. Robotics products connect computers and other equipment over analog, digital and switched cellular networks, enabling users to gain access to, manage and share data, fax and voice information. Its customers include Internet service providers, regional Bell operating companies, inter-exchange carriers and a wide range of other large and small businesses, institutions and individuals. The company's fiscal 1996 sales were $1.98 billion.

Editors Notes:

To receive a copy of the Towne Square 2000 Reviewer's Guide, or for editorial information, contact U.S. Robotics public relations. U.S. Robotics is a registered trademark, and Towne Square 2000 is a servicemark of U.S. Robotics.

NOTE TO EDITORS: There is an "at" symbol after "skarl" below. That symbol may not appear properly in some systems.

CONTACT: U.S. Robotics

Media Relations: Shannon Karl, 847/675-2382

or skarl@usr.com

Investor Relations: C. David Hall, 847/982-5162