SoftArc's Workgroup Software Chosen by PBS to Create New Public Television
"Neighborhood"

--PBS Selects FirstClass as Foundation for New Computer-Based
Information Network and Internal Communication System--

--1,000,000 FirstClass Licenses Create Model for "Collaborative
Programming"--

MARKHAM, Ontario, October 17, 1994--SoftArc Inc., a leading developer and
manufacturer of enterprise-wide, cross-platform group communication
software, today announced a major licensing agreement with the Public
Broadcasting Service (PBS).

PBS has signed an agreement for over 1,000,000 FirstClass licenses, with
which it will create a new computer-based information and communications
service called PBS ONLINE for public television viewers, teachers,
students, adult learners, childcare providers and other subscribers. To be
offered by participating local public television stations, the network
will provide access to resources, educational materials and interactive
discussion conferences primarily linked to public television programming.
In addition, PBS plans to use FirstClass internally for station-to-station
e-mail, collaborative workgroup conferencing and resource distribution in
a subsystem called PBS EXPRESS.

FirstClass servers will be located at local public television stations.
Users will be able to connect to servers of their choice with virtually
any type of computer. FirstClass will provide PBS ONLINE subscribers with
electronic messaging (including Internet mail exchange with millions of
users worldwide), conferencing, forms processing and access to information
databases. Expansion plans for the network will emphasize multimedia
programming information combining video, text, graphics, photographs and
sound.

The goal of PBS ONLINE is to expand, enhance and add value to the quality
programs available through public television. For example, local public
television stations will be able to provide interactive conferencing
sessions with program producers, and on-line access to program schedules,
community calendars and related source materials. Viewers will be
encouraged to explore and discuss the programs with other viewers, program
producers and, in some cases, the program hosts themselves. Program
producers can, in turn, incorporate the feedback they receive into
programming.

FirstClass servers at each station will replicate discussion areas and
resources via a shared satellite-based TCP/IP network. PBS stations across
the nation will also take advantage of these connections for private,
internal FirstClass communications.

"This is a particularly exciting application of FirstClass," explained
Steven Asbury, president of SoftArc. "Our relationship with PBS will bring
FirstClass to an unprecedented variety of 'users'--each having individual
ideas about ways to improve public television. The feedback from this new
'collaborative programming' can help public television be immediately
responsive to the viewing public. PBS ONLINE and PBS EXPRESS are
innovative examples of how group communications technology can be used to
everyone's advantage."

PBS ONLINE will provide a family of services designed to meet specific
needs. While these core national services will be offered locally by
participating public television stations, stations also have the unique
ability to add area program schedules and information about community
events and programs. This neighborhood involvement is a key factor in
distinguishing PBS ONLINE from other national on-line networks. In
accordance with the basic public television model--a strong core based on
national content, enhanced with local flavor--stations have the ability to
offer a composite on-line service with community-specific information.

For example, the existing PBS Learning Link (targeted to the K-12 education
market) currently reaches 37,000 users via 22 public television stations.
PBS Learning Link strives to meet the educational needs of teachers,
students, parents and childcare providers by offering easy access to
program activity guides, lesson plans, resource sharing and discussion
conferences primarily linked to public television programs and related
topics.

PBS ONLINE is also developing an on-line network tied to "PTV - The Ready
to Learn Service" on PBS. Designed as a meeting place, parents and
childcare providers can share information on child development, access
children's programming information and interact with program hosts such as
Fred Rogers of "Mister Rogers' Neighborhood." Other distinct network
programs under development include: HOW-TO CONNECTION, PRIME TIME ONLINE,
ADULT LEARNING SERVICE ONLINE and MATHLINE.

According to Bob Ottenhoff, executive vice president and chief operating
officer at PBS: "PBS ONLINE will play an important role in expanding and
diversifying the public television 'neighborhood.' SoftArc's FirstClass is
going to help PBS and public television stations reach audiences in
innovative and exciting ways--and in doing so further our mission to
educate, entertain and inspire."

FirstClass is a cross-platform, enterprise-wide group communication system
that integrates state-of-the-art e-mail with group conferencing, access to
existing corporate databases, forms processing, real-time discussions and
on-line communications functions. FirstClass offers the same ease of use,
functionality and robust performance over network or modem, and operates
in Macintosh, Windows and terminal emulation environments. The product is
available in 12 different languages and is used by businesses, educational
institutions, governments and private individuals in more than 30
countries worldwide. SoftArc's installed user base is now over 2,000,000
mailboxes sold (over three years) and growing exponentially. The Company
is headquartered in Markham, Ontario, Canada.

PBS is a private, non-profit corporation serving 346 public television
stations in every state, Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands, Guam and
American Samoa. An important community resource, PBS and its member
stations use the power of non-commercial television to provide all
Americans with quality programs and education services that inform,
inspire and entertain.

SoftArc Inc
100 Allstate Parkway
Markham, Ontario
CANADA L3R 6H3
905-415-7000,  fax 905-415-7151

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