Homestead Launches Beta of Homestead Express and Releases New Features to Its Community-Building Service.

NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Oct. 7, 1998--Homestead Technologies Inc., a leader in online community technology, today launched a beta version of Homestead Express(tm).

The cross-platform, non-Java editor makes it possible for users of Macs and older PCs to use the company's free Web site and community building service, and gives all users the ability to use templates to quickly and easily build a Homestead.

Available at www.homestead.com, Homestead Express extends collaboration to groups of friends or colleagues who use a variety of platforms. The company also announced enhancements to the Homestead service, available immediately to all users at Homestead and partner sites.

Homestead Express

As an alternative to the full-featured Homestead Editor, Homestead Express provides individuals and groups with a quick and easy way to build a Homestead by choosing from a variety of functional templates that include combinations of the service's most popular Elements.

Homestead Express supports the Mac OS, Unix, America Online, WebTV, and older versions of Netscape Navigator and Microsoft Internet Explorer.

Homestead Express users can still take advantage of the service's extensive community-building and collaborative features, and each member of a Homestead can use either editor. Unlike other services, Homestead users have the flexibility to completely customize and personalize their Homesteads using the Homestead Editor, whether a page was created with the Editor or with Homestead Express.

"Homestead Express gives a whole new group of users the ability to create Homesteads and provides even greater flexibility to users who want to create a Homestead as fast as possible," said Justin Kitch, Homestead founder and CEO.

"We'll continue to add new features and services to respond to the needs of our users and to enhance their experience in developing useful micro-communities on the Web."

New Features and Services

Newly released features can be accessed immediately by logging in at www.homestead.com or partner sites -- no software upgrades or downloads are necessary.

The Homestead Directory now gives Homestead users a way to increase the visibility of their Homesteads by listing them under categories such as events, fan clubs, alumni associations, sports teams, businesses and personal interests. Listings in the directory are voluntary and include Homesteads created on Homestead.com and all co-branded Homestead services.

Mailing Lists let founders and members send e-mail messages to the Homestead's members at the touch of a button, providing an easy and convenient way to communicate with friends and associates.

With the option of inviting others to join as either editing or non-editing members, Homestead Founders now have even more control, by deciding whether new members may edit existing pages, add new pages, or simply belong to that Homestead's mailing list.

Non-founding members can invite others to join with the same editing status, and members of multiple Homesteads can have a different editing status for each.

The new HTML Snippet Element offers users even greater personalization by enabling them to add pieces of HTML code to their sites for uses such as Web rings, mini-applets and tables. With Animated Text, users can create words that bounce, fade and dissolve.

Features Launched in Beta

New features launched in beta at www.homestead.com include a Sound Importer that allows users to add WAV, AIF, and MIDI files to their Homesteads, and a guestbook that lets visitors to a Homestead sign a virtual guestbook and view the comments and information that others have left.

About Homestead Technologies 

Homestead Technologies Inc. is a leader in online community technology, providing the first service that gives PC users of all skill levels an easy, free and flexible way to build a personal Web site or micro-community together with friends, family or colleagues. The service is available at www.homestead.com and through co-branding and licensing partners.

Founded in 1997, Homestead is based in Menlo Park, Calif. and has more than 50 employees. The company is privately held and has received investments from Draper Fisher Jurvetson, a Silicon Valley venture finance firm, and Intel Corp.

Note to Editors: Homestead, the Homestead Editor and Homestead Express are trademarks of Homestead Technologies. All other trademarks or product names are the property of their respective owners and are hereby recognized as such.