BlackBall Releases BlackMagic version 3.0, Professional, Workgroup and Server Editions; New Version Makes Finding Files Faster.

SAN DIEGO -- BlackBall(R) Inc., the innovator of dynamically accessible storage, has announced its newest solutions to file retrieval: BlackMagic(TM) Personal, BlackMagic(TM) Workgroup and BlackMagic(TM) Server Editions. All are version 3.0 and available for Windows, Linux, Unix, SUN Solaris, and Mac OS X. BlackMagic utilizes BlackBall's patent-pending Rich Media File System (RMFS)(TM) to provide quick retrieval of securely stored files of any type. The products can be purchased directly from Blackball, and range in price from $99 - $20,000.

"Until you install BlackMagic, it's easier to find content on the vast Internet than it is on your own hard drive," said Bob Brown, CEO of BlackBall. "Rich media files create their own demands that are not addressed in current OSes - and now we won't be seeing it in Longhorn's first release either. So our look at managing data led us to develop a product that does what five different packages do across all server and client platforms. For a fraction of the cost of just one of these systems, BlackMagic gives you: document and content management, content delivery, digital asset management, storage management, search & retrieval, and a database. Now you don't have to wait until Longhorn version 2 ships to get a better grip on your files."

BlackMagic v3.0 is system-level software that utilizes a patent-pending keyword search methodology to execute fast, accurate commands. The system automatically recognizes files as they are saved to local and network volumes. It also allows users to add personalized file descriptions, streamlining the retrieval process. BlackMagic's real time indexing makes secure, dynamic data storage and access easier than ever before. Its search index has been designed to address the complexity of rich media files and the need to create and manage multiple shared directories. The software installs and deploys in minutes, and requires no professional services.

"BlackBall's RMFS provides a fundamental competitive advantage over any comparable product available today or even proposed for tomorrow," said William Hurley, Senior Analyst with Enterprise Strategy Group. "This latest version is a substantial step forward for BlackBall users, and maintains price-to-information accessibility ratios that will appeal to all markets, regardless of size."

About BlackMagic v 3.0

The BlackMagic v3.0 upgrade focuses on greater usability and cleaner interface. For example, the search functions are divided into file-type folders, making it simple to find "My Docs," "My Movies," "My Mail" etc. It also offers thumbnail support for search results and the option to save commonly used searches. Adding a litany of new features has ultimately resulted in making BlackMagic extremely easy to use.

BlackMagic Personal Edition is a desktop file management system for storing documents, MP3s, Photos, movies, etc., and retails for $99.

BlackMagic Workgroup was designed to reside on a single user's PC in an environment where content needs to be shared within an organization - graphic design review, for example. In this case, the primary user benefits from application consolidation and other users may take full advantage of directory sharing while also benefiting from the speed-search capabilities. It retails for $599.

BlackMagic Server Edition can run on servers such as Microsoft's, Mac OS X, Linux, and Solaris. In this situation, all Windows-based clients have access to shared directories, the full search application, and file-level security solutions as well as better data management and security. A ten-user pack sells for $1995, with increments available and culminating with an unlimited user license for $20,000.

About BlackBall, Inc.

San Diego, California-based BlackBall, Inc. is the leader in developing systems that provide fast access to dynamically stored, secure digital files of any type. BlackMagic received the Best of Show award at Networld+Interop '04 for Network Application Software. For more information and to download a free 30-day trail version of BlackMagic, please contact BlackBall at [e-mail], [phone], or visit www.blackball.us.