AltaVista Licenses PowWow Technology for Real-Time Internet Communications.

PALO ALTO, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Dec. 8, 1999--

AltaVista, AT&T WorldNet and Freeserve Embrace Open Solution,

Offer Messaging Clients for Interoperability with AOL and MSN 

AltaVista Company, the premier new media and commerce network and a majority-owned operating company of CMGI, Inc. (Nasdaq:CMGI), is developing a real-time text and voice instant messaging service that is designed to be compatible with AOL and MSN instant messenger clients.

Based on Tribal Voice's PowWow technology, "AltaVista Messenger" is leading a new class of real-time communication clients that combine an open, interoperable instant messaging capability with a full-set of communications and community building features. The AltaVista Messenger beta will be released this winter.

"AltaVista Messenger reflects our fierce commitment to giving our users what they want, and to advocating open, Web-wide solutions," said Rod Schrock, president and CEO, AltaVista Company. "Our free service will provide the benefit of rich features and multiple communication modes without imposing limitations on the users with whom they may communicate."

AltaVista Messenger is an interoperable client that allows Internet users to exchange messages in real-time without the use of an email inbox. AltaVista users will be able to communicate with each other and with users of a new version of Tribal Voice's PowWow that also powers Freeserve's Communicator and AT&T WorldNet IM Here service. These new services are compatible with America Online's Instant Messenger (AIM) and Microsoft's MSN Messenger Service, collectively representing over 40 million users worldwide.

The availability of these new messaging clients will significantly advance the spread of open, interoperable and Web-wide communications on the Internet. And the integration of powerful community and communications features, such as universal buddy lists and simultaneous, real-time text and voice chat, will result in the most useful and feature-rich offering in the marketplace.

AltaVista Messenger will offer unequalled features, including:

-- Interoperable instant text messaging 

-- Instant voice messaging 

-- Buddy List consolidator that displays all users who are online,

across multiple systems

-- Web cruise option that allows users to guide the browser of the

person with whom they are communicating

-- File exchange

The new service will sit open on a user's desktop with buddy list icons that change color to indicate when users are present or not. Users can create their own user profiles, which can be viewed and amended as desired, and form lists of friends, buddies and work colleagues. AltaVista users will also have the option to launch a Web browser directly from the client to access the legendary AltaVista Search comprising the most comprehensive Web index with more than 250 million pages or to access other personally-relevant information from AltaVista or the Web.

"Tribal Voice is proud to work with AltaVista to provide best-in-class instant messaging solutions based on the PowWow technology platform," said Tribal Voice Vice President Lee Finck. "Our relationships with companies such as AltaVista, AT&T WorldNet, Freeserve, and CMGI bring Tribal Voice closer toward our goal of managing the largest network of interoperable messaging clients."

AltaVista Messenger is being developed to communicate with AOL's AIM through its previously published public source code and with Microsoft's MSN Messenger Service through its publicly published and sanctioned methods for communicating with other messaging users. AltaVista Messenger is based on the PowWow technology designed and developed by Tribal Voice.

Novell(R) eDirectory Services(R), the world's leading provider of directory-enabled networking software, will provide Internet management and security for the new AltaVista Messenger. As a part of AltaVista's software infrastructure, Novell provides a real-time security solution that quickly authenticates users of AltaVista Messenger.

About AltaVista Company

AltaVista Company is the premier media and commerce network offering Internet users up-to-the-minute news, live video, content, search and shopping resources. The company integrates unique technology, products and services to deliver relevant results faster for both individuals and businesses. By combining distinctive 'best of the Web' relationships with personalized service, the AltaVista Network at www.altavista.com creates the smartest Internet experience. AltaVista is building on its heritage of technology and innovative leadership, offering informative services including AltaVista Live!, AltaVista Search, AltaVista Shopping.com, AltaVista Local, and Free Access combined with the AltaVista microportal. AltaVista is a majority-owned operating company of CMGI, Inc. (Nasdaq:CMGI), Andover, MA. Compaq Computer Corporation holds the remaining minority stake in AltaVista. AltaVista is headquartered in Palo Alto, Calif.

About Tribal Voice

Tribal Voice is the leading provider of instant messaging, interactive communications and online community solutions based on its PowWow technology. On December 1, CMGI, Inc. (Nasdaq:CMGI), the world's largest and most diverse network of Internet companies, agreed to acquire Tribal Voice, Inc. as a majority-owned operating company. Founded in December 1994, by anti-virus software guru John McAfee, Tribal Voice maintains offices in Scotts Valley, Calif. and Woodland Park, Colo. More than five million worldwide users participate in over 18,000 communities via the company's PowWow software. For more information on Tribal Voice and to download its PowWow client software, please visit http://www.tribal.com or call 831/461-3100. Companies interested in working with Tribal Voice to develop their own instant messaging/interactive communications solutions should visit http://www.tribal.com/isps/, e-mail [e-mail] or call 1-877-4POWWOW. If you are outside North America, please call 831/461-3100.

About CMGI

With more than 50 companies, CMGI, Inc. (Nasdaq:CMGI) represents the largest, most diverse network of Internet companies in the world. This network includes both CMGI operating companies and a growing number of synergistic investments through its venture capital affiliate, @Ventures. CMGI leverages the technologies, content, and market reach of its extended family of companies to foster rapid growth and industry leadership across its network, and the larger Internet Economy. Compaq, Intel, Microsoft and Sumitomo hold minority positions in CMGI. CMGI Corporate headquarters is located at 100 Brickstone Square, Andover, MA 01810. Telephone: [phone]. Fax: [phone]. Additional information is available on the company's Web site at http://www.cmgi.com.

AltaVista is registered with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office. Shopping.com and Homebase are trademarks of AltaVista Company or its affiliates. Product names mentioned herein may be trademarks and/or registered trademarks of their respective companies.