3-D Web Site Provider Activeworlds.com Enters Strategic Alliance With BetaSphere

Business Wire, Feb 6, 2001

Business Editors/High-Tech Writers

PALO ALTO, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Feb. 6, 2001

Alliance to Enhance Spectrum of Services With New 3-D Technology,

Beta-Test Offering for Improved Site Accessibility and Navigation

Activeworlds.com, Inc. (Nasdaq:AWLD), a leading Internet 3D technology supplier, today announced their entering into a strategic alliance with BetaSphere, the leading provider of Web-based customer feedback solutions for marketers and developers.

Through this relationship, Activeworlds.com will enhance its services by incorporating beta testing as part of its product offering. The affiliation will allow Activeworlds.com customers to submit newly developed 3-D Web sites to BetaSphere evaluators, who in turn provide feedback that helps site developers improve ease of use, performance, and site navigation.

"We are pleased to work with BetaSphere to further enhance the usability and quality of our technology," said Rick Noll, CEO of Activeworlds.com. "By making the user experience more enticing, visually compelling, and fun, Activeworlds is opening the doors to a whole new realm of 3D technology. Activeworlds is changing the way we interact, communicate, and do business on the Internet."

BetaSphere, which has a Strategic Partnership Program in the areas of technology, co-marketing, and consulting, selected Activeworlds as a partner because they offer a complementary solution with a proven business model. Additional BetaSphere partners include: Zelerate, iLux(R), Atesto Technologies, Geneer, and Simply Technology.

"We are excited to be working with Activeworlds and their customers in developing next generation Internet technologies which provide a superior customer experience," said Michael Shoppel, president, CEO, and co-founder of BetaSphere. "And our evaluators are well positioned to help Activeworlds' customers create products and services that win rapid market adoption and acceptance."

About Activeworlds.com, Inc.

Activeworlds.com, Inc. is an information technology company dedicated to providing ASP delivery systems for the 3D Internet. Its communications enhancement technology uses techniques initially developed for virtual reality environments for the Internet, whether it be the website author or application provider. Activeworlds.com, Inc. currently has a worldwide user base of over 1,000,000 users on the Universe server it operates, which receives over 1 million impressions per day. Companies such as Boeing, Siemens, Juno, Cornell, and many more are currently using Active Worlds(TM) technology.

About BetaSphere

BetaSphere is the leading provider of Web-based customer feedback solutions for marketers and developers. BetaSphere's Web-based Feedback Management Server(TM) (FMS) platform integrates customer feedback into the development process, enabling companies to increase market acceptance and lower technical risk when introducing new or enhanced products and services. Customers include Federal Express, Cisco, Lucent, HP, Motorola, Palm, Excite@Home, Sun Microsystems, and Xerox. BetaSphere is headquartered in Palo Alto. For more information, call 650/930-0200 ext. 850 or visit the company's Web site at www.betasphere.com.