CMPnet Debuts Planet IT, an Exclusive Online Community for High-level Information Technology Executives.

MANHASSET, NY--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Oct. 5, 1998--CMPnet, the technology network, today launched Planet IT (http://www.PlanetIT.com), an exclusive online community that helps corporate information technology executives collaborate, exchange ideas and locate critical business information that will help them stay ahead of the rapid pace of technology change.

Planet IT debuts as corporations are increasingly looking to IT as a competitive tool that will help them streamline processes and drive their business forward. In fact, according to a recent InformationWeek survey, 57% of IT executives plan to increase their corporate IT spending in fiscal 1999, despite the global economic malaise that has impacted corporate earnings. With its powerful combination of technology-focused news and information--such as reviews, case studies, expert opinions, databases and more--and a suite of innovative community features, CMPnet's Planet IT aims to be the most essential Web site today for IT professionals.

"Planet IT lets IT professionals use the Web to create a network of peers," said Peter Krass, Planet IT's editor. "Using Planet IT's Roundtables, Ask The Expert feature, Discussion Groups, and other interactive features, IT professionals can share expertise, ideas, questions, problems and solutions. And by using Planet IT's personalization features, IT professionals can essentially create a single source for their most important information needs: product specs, vendor and product news, product and technology analysis, important new books, cutting-edge opinion, and much more."

Announced in July, Planet IT is organized into nine Technology Centers, each of which features comprehensive coverage of one of today's most pressing technology issues. Planet IT debuts today with six Technology Centers focusing on databases, desktop computing, e-commerce, enterprise applications, Internet/intranet technology, and mobile computing, and plans to debut three more--on networking, storage and the Year 2000 problem--by the first half of October. Each Technology Center features how to's, case studies, research topics, product reviews, product round-ups, and technology solutions from CMP's stable of business computing and communications titles and renown industry experts.

Planet IT's other features include:

- A Personal Home Page, which users can customize to display only

those Technology Centers they're interested in as well as the

types of articles they want to see from each Center.

- Ask The Expert forums, which members can use to e-mail one of

Planet IT's Technology Center authorities to get a solution

online.

- A Peer Network, which can be used to search out other Planet IT

members by technology interests and job level. Members can then

save these members to a "buddy list" in order to send them

articles of interest, and invite them to join discussion groups.

- Personal Folders, which allow users to save and organize Planet

IT content for their future use and even share them with

colleagues and co-workers who are not members.

- Roundtables, exclusive online discussion threads led by industry

experts that are limited to 25 members each.

- Comprehensive databases that can be use to sort through hundreds

of product reviews, jobs and even value-added resellers that

specialize in various industry, region, technologies and

products.

About Planet IT

CMPnet's Planet IT (http://www.PlanetIT.com) is an exclusive online community where IT executives collaborate, exchange ideas, and find the critical technology and business information they need -- all in one place. Planet IT has seven charter sponsors--Microsoft (Nasdaq: MSFT), IBM (NYSE: IBM), Gateway (NYSE: GTW), Information Builders, EDS (NYSE: EDS), 3Com Corp. (Nasdaq: COMS), and Seagate (NYSE: SEG)--and is expected to reach 50,000 members by the first quarter of 1998.

About CMPnet

CMPnet (http://www.CMPnet.com), The Technology Network, is the leading hub for technology professionals and enthusiasts--the builders, sellers and users of technology. According to traffic data compiled by Media Metrix, CMPnet is the fastest growing technology network as compared to CNET, ZDNet and IDG.net. And according to CMR/Intermedia's InterWatch report, CMPnet is consistently one of the top 10 sites across the entire Web in advertising revenue.

CMPnet aggregates a comprehensive suite of content sites and services--including breaking technology news, essential resources, and free e-mail--in a new, easy-to-navigate interface. CMPnet's flagship sites include TechWeb, TechInvestor, TechShopper, TechEncyclopedia, NetGuide, ChannelWeb, EDTN, GamePower, and File Mine.

CMP Media Inc. (Nasdaq: CMPX) is a leading high-tech media company providing essential information and marketing services to the broad technology spectrum--the builders, sellers and users of technology worldwide. With its portfolio of newspapers, magazines, custom publishing, Internet products and conferences, CMP is uniquely positioned to offer marketers comprehensive, integrated solutions tailored to meet their individual needs. Online editions of the company's print publications, along with products and services created exclusively for the Internet, can be found on CMPnet at http://www.CMPnet.com. NSTL, the company's independent testing lab, serves government, corporate and technology vendor clients around the world.