Starfish Software EarthTime ActiveX Control Included in Microsoft Internet Explorer Starter Kit; Starfish Add-on Helps Users Easily Track Time Across The World

Business Wire, Oct 21, 1996

SCOTTS VALLEY, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Oct. 21, 1996--As part of its ongoing commitment to provide platform-independent Internet solutions, Starfish Software, Inc. today announced that Microsoft Corp. will provide Starfish EarthTime as an ActiveX control on the Microsoft Internet Explorer Starter Kit (IESK) CD-ROM.

Available immediately, Microsoft will distribute EarthTime ActiveX control, one of 38 premier controls, in all retail versions of the Internet Explorer Starter Kit. This includes the stand-alone product available through Microsoft's regular retail channel, as well as the version of the Internet Explorer Starter Kit that is included, free of charge, with every copy of Microsoft Windows 95.

The EarthTime ActiveX control is designed for Microsoft Internet Explorer and runs on Windows 95 and Windows NT 4.0. EarthTime ActiveX allows users to easily keep track of time for business or communications across time zones directly from within the Internet Explorer browser.

"We are pleased to see Starfish supporting Internet Explorer and ActiveX," said David Fester, product manager for Internet Explorer. "Because Starfish's EarthTime is built on ActiveX technology, developers can use a wide range of programming languages and tools to make their applications and Web sites more compelling and engaging."

"Computer users around the world are already using EarthTime to keep track of exactly when the rest of the world is open for business," said Philippe Kahn, chairman of Starfish Software. "EarthTime ActiveX, based on open-industry standards, easily interoperates with Microsoft Internet Explorer 3.0 -- fulfilling our mission to provide the Web community browser-independent, `Smart Internet Solutions'."

About The Microsoft Internet Explorer Starter Kit

The Internet Explorer Starter Kit from Microsoft contains everything users need to get on the Internet. Just as Microsoft Internet Explorer 3.0 is about activating the Internet, the Internet Explorer Starter Kit is about empowering users and showcasing what Internet Explorer makes possible. Along with the Internet Explorer 3.0 browser, the IESK includes the ActiveX Gallery, which includes 38 premium ActiveX controls.

About EarthTime Control

EarthTime ActiveX is an ideal solution for individuals, corporations and government organizations who need to schedule appointments, conference calls, and chat sessions with participants in multiple time zones. Users can easily monitor the time and date simultaneously in eight cities of their choice. Cities can be picked from a database of over 545 world capitals and major commercial centers. The EarthTime ActiveX control also adjusts for daylight savings time. All the functionality of the EarthTime ActiveX control is available directly from within Microsoft Internet Explorer.

EarthTime ActiveX Features

An easy-to-read world map display that lets users know instantly which parts of the world are in daylight and which are in darkness. The EarthTime ActiveX control shows: -0-

-- Local time, date and day of the week simultaneously in eight selected cities from a database of over 545 world capitals and commercial trade centers;

-- Handy information about the selected cities, such as country and city code for international phone calls, currency and population;

-- A conversion calculator that translates distances, weights, volumes, power and other key measurements between U.S. and ISO standard measurement systems. -0-

Founded in 1994, privately-held Starfish Software is based in Scotts Valley, California. Starfish Software's mission is to be the leader in providing high-quality, innovative solutions based on open industry standards that help individuals and organizations communicate and collaborate more productively using the Internet and intranets.

Starfish Software products are available worldwide through retail, online, corporate and OEM channels. Additional information can be found on the Starfish Software Web site at http://www.starfishsoftware.com. All brands and products mentioned herein are trademarks of their respective holders.

Keywords: Netscape Communications, NASDAQ: NSCP, Netscape, Starfish, Philippe Kahn, Sidekick, Navigator, Internet, intranet, Java

CONTACT: The Weber Group

Heather McLellan, 415/325-8300

hmclellan@ca.webergroup.com

or

Starfish Software

Beth Nagengast, 408/461-5884

bnagengast@starfishsoftware.com