Aladdin DropStuff 5.0- New Free Windows Upgrade Provides Up to 20% Better Compression Than Other Zip Utilities by Creating Smaller StuffIt Archives On Your PC.

WATSONVILLE, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Aug. 18, 1999--

Aladdin DropStuff, The Only Cross-Platform Windows Compression Tool, Now Offers Superior Compression And Universal File Access In One

Easy-To-Use Utility

Aladdin Systems, Inc. today announced that Aladdin DropStuff(tm) 5.0 for Windows is now available and is a free upgrade to registered users of DropStuff 1.0.

DropStuff is the only cross-platform compression solution for Windows users, providing both Zip and StuffIt(r) compression. DropStuff 5.0 includes a powerful new StuffIt compression algorithm that creates StuffIt archives that are up to 20% smaller than Zip files. With 20% better compression, users and recipients save 20% more bandwidth making downloads and uploads 20% faster (saving online time) and save 20% more space (for faster Internet transmissions and smaller for backup purposes). Also included is Aladdin Expander(tm) 5.0 freeware, the only Windows decompression tool that gives users access to all of the popular compressed and encoded files found on the Internet.

"Aladdin DropStuff provides three key benefits that no other Windows compression tool can offer: smallest compression with StuffIt, choice of compression standards, and superior ease of use," said Marty McGillivray, product manager. "Hands down, StuffIt technology is the best format for compressing, archiving and translating files, no matter what platform you're working with."

Aladdin DropStuff 5.0 New Features and Benefits -0-

--   New StuffIt technology squeezes file size 20% smaller on average
     than Zip compression
--   Choice of "Maximum," "Fastest," or "No" compression when creating
     StuffIt archives
--   New StuffIt format is Unicode compliant for improved
     international file support and cross-platform performance
--   Enhanced support options from the Help menu provides easy access
     to online help from Aladdin's Web site
--   Includes Aladdin Expander, the complete and universal tool for
     accessing compressed files found on the Internet. With Expander,
     users can expand any StuffIt file and translate Mac file
     information to Windows extensions (.txt, .doc) for easy access to
     files
-0-

Aladdin DropStuff is an easy-to-use space-saving utility that compresses files or directories using either the StuffIt (.sit). or Zip (.zip) compression methods. DropStuff will compress a file into a compressed archive by a factor of as much as 98% (average 50%) of its original size; compression level varies depending on the file-type. Compressed archives save disk space, speed up modem or network file transfers, use less bandwidth and make backups easier. DropStuff allows users to send StuffIt archives to any one on a PC or Macintosh and allow them access to either format with Aladdin Expander freeware.

Additional Features and Benefits -0-

--   Easy StuffIt and Zip compression via drag-and-drop on a desktop
     shortcut, a convenient context menu or the DropStuff menus
--   Automatically attach StuffIt-compressed files to new outgoing
     email messages
--   Desktop shortcuts for easy compression and expansion
-0-

"Aladdin DropStuff is the only tool to provide a choice of compression standards for hassle-free communication between different operating systems," said Jonathan Kahn, president. "Different platforms exist; users of all types need to be able to effectively communicate with each other just across the office and worldwide."

Aladdin DropStuff includes Aladdin Expander 5.0 freeware, which provides easy access to all the popular compression and encoding formats found on the Internet, via email, and in archives. These formats include: Zip (.zip), StuffIt (.sit), Arc (.arc), Arj (.arj), Gzip (.gz), UUencode (.uue), MIME/Base 64, BinHex (.hqx), and all MacBinary (.MacBin, .bin) formats. Expander also decrypts files encrypted by Aladdin's Private File(tm) (.pf). Expander also joins segmented archives created by StuffIt Deluxe(r).

Aladdin DropStuff User Benefits -0-

--   Users who want the smallest archives possible (IS departments,
     Webmasters, etc.) for posting files to Internet sites, increasing
     network bandwidth, and saving disk space
--   Consumers who prefer the StuffIt format for working on either or
     both Windows and Macintosh computers- those who regularly
     communicate with users of both platforms in a professional or
     personal environment
--   Users who need to use the StuffIt (.sit) format instead of Zip
     for working with Macintosh-based graphics, pre-press, publishing,
     education or other cross-platform organizations
--   A computer user who wants an easy solution to transmit and join
     segmented Mac files and access them on a Windows machine
--   Users who want one easy-to-use cross-platform compression tool
-0-

Availability, Pricing, and Requirements

Aladdin DropStuff 5.0 is free to registered users of DropStuff 1.0. For new users, it expires after a 30-day trial period. After the trial period, users must contact Aladdin to pay the $20 (US) registration fee. To purchase Aladdin DropStuff, go to http://www.aladdinsys.com/dropstuff/winindex.html or contact Aladdin's customer service at [e-mail], or 831/761-6200. To license DropStuff contact Aladdin's licensing department for multi-copy discounts at: [e-mail].

All Aladdin products are available direct from Aladdin's Web site http://www.aladdinsys.com and various online sites.

Aladdin DropStuff requires a PC running Windows 95, 98 or NT 4.0.

Aladdin Systems: Helping you Transmit, Access and Organize

information(tm)

Founded in 1988, Aladdin Systems, Inc. is in its second decade of developing and publishing award-winning business and consumer products. Aladdin publishes StuffIt, the worldwide compression standard; Spring Cleaning(tm) the best-selling Macintosh uninstaller; MacTicker(tm), a desktop stock ticker; Aladdin FlashBack(tm), providing unlimited "Undos" and instant access to any document version in any application; Private File(tm), the easiest-to-use cross-platform security software; DragStrip(tm), the ultimate desktop organizer; Sundial(tm), cross-platform desktop wallpaper that displays a 24-hour time-lapse scenic photography sequence on the desktop; and Aladdin Desktop Magician(tm), customizes desktop items for maximum user efficiency. Other Aladdin products include: InstallerMaker(tm), the complete installation and data distribution standard; ShrinkWrap(tm), the quickest and easiest way to create and distribute disk images; and the StuffIt Engine SDK. Aladdin provides computing solutions that help people transmit, access and organize their information.

Aladdin's address: 165 Westridge Drive, Watsonville, CA 95076, USA; telephone: [phone]; URL: http://www.aladdinsys.com; e-mail: [e-mail].

Note to Editors: StuffIt, Aladdin DropStuff, Aladdin Expander, StuffIt Deluxe, DragStrip, and Private File are trademarks of Aladdin Systems, Inc. All other products and brands are trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective holders.