FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Media Contact:
Nick DeMello
Xplain Corporation
marketing@xplain.com
805-494-9797 x105

READERS RESPOND TO NEW NETPROFESSIONAL
— Professional Journal for Network Administrators and Webmasters
Receives rave reviews from readers of July/August issue

WESTLAKE VILLAGE, Calif. — September 16, 1998 — Xplain Corporation,
publishers of NetProfessional(tm) magazine, today shared some responses
from readers to the July/August issue of the magazine, the first since the
company acquired publishing rights to the title in March. The print
magazine, for web developers and network administrators, is now a technical
journal packed with in-depth articles on a variety of current challenges
users face, peer-reviewed by experts in the field.

The new issue of NetProfessional (Volume 2, Number 1) is currently
available at selected booksellers and newsstands domestically — including
Borders, Barnes & Noble, and other fine resellers. Better yet, discount
RISK FREE subscriptions are available at the magazine’s Website,
(http://www.netprolive.com/).

The next issue (Volume 2, Number 2), is about to ship to subscribers and
newsstands worldwide. Those who subscribe — NOW — can still get this
next issue in its second mailing. Check out the list of upcoming articles
at (http://www.netprolive.com/editorial/calendar.html).

Subscribers that have already received the July/August issue, had much to
say about the new NetProfessional’s high-level, professional, technical,
journal-style content. We’ll let them speak for themselves…

“This is exactly what I’ve been looking for! This looks to be a
fantastic resource to look to for dealing with many of the issues that I
encounter daily. Your magazine has already helped me in my work…
Kudos! Keep up the great work!” – John A. VanKammen, University Computer
Consultant, Marquette University

“Nice Job! Keep up the good work, especially the emphasis on
cross-platform environments.” – Leonard P. Miller, Network
Administrator, Oak Creek Ranch School

“Talk about being blown away!! I just got the magazine before I left for
vacation. I read it several times while relaxing on the beach. WOW!!
This is something I could actually use! Send me more!” – Rick Baley, The
Perfusion Home Page

NetProfessional aims to provide real articles written by real web
developers and network administrators, full of technical information not
available elsewhere.

“So far I totally love it…it’s never far from my side. The content is
rich and covers everything I’ve been longing to find. Thanks.” – Jeffrey
McPheeters

“Wanted to drop you a line to let you know how much I have enjoyed
receiving the first issue of NetProfessional. I will definitely become
a subscriber. Your magazine … strikes me as way to help provide ideas,
directions, and solutions to our continuing evolution in education by
facilitating our technological development and its integration with
curriculum in completely novel ways.” – Jim McCauley, Info Tech
Director, The Study School

“I believe the publication is MUCH improved and look forward to
receiving future issues. I think the folks who are writing the articles
really know their stuff and do a pretty good job of explaining it to us
common folks.” – Mike Matthews

“I’ve been reading the new NP and found it very informative. It looks
like you’ve assembled a good bunch of contributing writers, many of the
name I recognize from various mail lists that I’m on … great content.
Keep up the good work.” – Dennis Walker, EVP/Production Mgr., InPractice
Publications, Inc.

Unlike many other internet publications, NetProfessional articles contain
code readers can use in web development. And, the articles focus not only
on the web, but on a netadmin’s job overall — from servers to the web to
networks in general.

“I want to let you know how much I am enjoying your magazine,
‘NetProfessional’. The best part is the examples of code that you put in
the articles, they really help clarify the text. The articles are also
very educational… Your magazine gives me about 99 percent content. I
really feel that I get more from your magazine. I can’t wait for your
next issue. Thanks for a great product.” – Vicki Aardema, Systems
Analyst

“The content of the articles was very informative and very relevant to
me as a web professional.” – Glenn Cope, Art Director, Forge Web Design

Readers report that they are already putting the information in
NetProfessional to work in their roles as web developers and network
administrators.

“I’m only half way through it and so far, every article has been of
interest. In fact, a sidebar in the site indexing/search article had
just what I am looking for. This first issue may just pay for the
subscription price many times over if the client signs.” – Warren
Michelsen

“It’s refreshing to see a webserver/development magazine for Mac Web
administrators – mainly because you’re discussing tools that I either
use or have considered using.” – Sue Ann Sanders, Manager of Internet
Development, Sells Printing Company L.L.C.

“I read it cover to cover. It was quite useful. I think it’ll help me do
my jobs.”- Dr. Suman Chakrabarti, Supply Chain Management (Operations)
Engineer, American Megatrends Inc.

People also said they like the platform mix embodied in NetProfessional:
helping people move between platforms and interoperate, not blindly
advocating or neglecting a single environment.

“I like your quasi-multiplatform stance… Content was well distributed
across topics… I look forward to the next few issues.” – Geoff Kinnel,
Bristol-Myers Squibb

“Like the format and the range and quality of articles. We’ve been
hungry for a good Mac network/Web source and one that appreciates the
power and flexibility of the Mac OS.” – Eric Jensen, Director, Media and
Technology, Wenatchee (WA) School District

New subscriptions are rapidly increasing as our readers tell their
colleagues about NetProfessional, or subscribe themselves after finding it
at a newsstand.

“The information provided in the July/August 1998 issue pleased me
greatly. In fact, I already recommended your magazine to a few people
already. I like the in-depth reviews especially. The section on XML is
informative… I look forward in receiving the next issue and I can tell
you that you will make a subscriber out of me. You have a great magazine
… Congratulations.” – Louis Savard, Technicien Macintosh d’Internet
Saguenay

“It appears to be exactly what I’ve been looking for. A check for my
subscription will be in the mail soon.” – Lucio Cervantes, Maclanscapers

“Just three words: ‘I love it.’ The content is just right. I would be
willing to pay for NetProfessional.” – Timothy L. Taylor, Technology
Coordinator, Marion (AR) School District

“I have always wanted a magazine that would be useful to me as a
beginner in some areas, and an expert in others. NP is the first example
of that that I have seen. I think the magazine’s great. Whenever I start
getting charged for the subscription, I’ll buy.” – Alan Brown,
Electronic Publishing Manager, University of Minnesota Press

NetProfessional — How to Get It

The new NetProfessional, currently a bi-monthly magazine, is now available
on selected newsstands. NetProfessional is available for only $19.95 for
six issues for U.S. subscribers — OVER 50% OFF the cover price! (US$44.95
International, US$25.95 Canadian) If you’re not a current subscriber to
NetProfessional, sign up today — send no money. Just visit the
NetProfessional web site at (http://www.netprolive.com/) and sign up RISK
FREE for NetProfessional. There’s no risk to you, so act now!

Corporate Background:

Xplain Corporation has three divisions — publishing, mail order and custom
services. The publishing division includes MacTech(r) Magazine
(https://www.mactech.com/), NetProfessional(tm) Magazine
(http://www.netprolive.com/), and THINK Reference(tm). The mail order
division operates DevDepot(r) (http://www.devdepot.com/), Depot
Store(sm), and the Depot(sm). Custom services provides custom publishing
and trade show services including such projects as Developer Central(tm)
and fulfillment services. Founded in 1984, the company has its offices in
Westlake Village, California. For more information on Xplain Corporation or
any of its products/services, point your browser to
(http://www.xplain.com/), call the main offices at 805-494-9797, fax at
805-494-9798, send an e-mail to mailto:info@xplain.com, or send snail mail
to PO Box 5200, Westlake Village, CA 91359-5200, USA.

——

And still more quotes…

“‘Two thumbs up!’ for content” – Vincent Descoust, Big Ideas Production

“Very informative. I look forward to other issues.” – Kristi Lloyd, IS
Manager, Innovative Computer Systems

“This is exactly the type of magazine I wanted. Good job.” – Pete Peters,
Wall Data

“I loved it! The content is great! I will definitely subscribe.” – John Amato

“The content is very good.” – Kee Nethery, President, Kagi Shareware

“I like it very much. I find it more useful than its earlier incarnation. I
appreciate the articles being more technical, even being over my head” –
Paul Chernoff, Systems Manager, Washingtonian Magazine

“What I liked in this issue was the point-by-point comparison of the web
search engines. It is so difficult to track down all of the information
myself. Thanks!” – Dan Twyman

“Great Mag Great Mag Great Mag Great Mag Great Mag Great Mag Great Mag
Great Mag” – Mike Mundt, Technology Coordinator & System Engineer, Cape
Henry Collegiate School

“The articles are well written and informative.” – Susy Thielen

“Overall my impression is good. I appreciated the wide scope of the
articles in the first issue. Most, if not all, topics were of interest to
me.” – David Kurtz, AppleShare IP SQA, Apple Computer Inc.

****

All contents are Copyright 1984-1998 by Xplain Corporation. All rights
reserved. MacTech, DevDepot, and Sprocket are registered trademarks
of Xplain Corporation. Depot, The Depot, Depot Store, Video Depot,
MacDev-1, THINK Reference, NetProfessional, NetProLive, JavaTech, WebTech,
BeTech, and the MacTutorMan are trademarks of Xplain Corporation. Other
trademarks and copyrights appearing in this printing or software remain the
property of their respective holders.