Web Crossing, Inc. Releases Web Crossing V.3.1; Now Faster with Server-side JavaScript, Spell Checking, and More.

Business Editors and High Tech Writers

ALAMEDA, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Jan. 24, 2000

Web Crossing, Inc. today announced it released Web Crossing version 3.1, a free update for Web Crossing 3 users, now faster with Spell Checking, server-side JavaScript(TM) and more. Web Crossing 3.1 also includes self-scheduled backups, NNTP support, html-only chat, implementation of XML-RPC, and dozens of other enhancements and bug fixes. The Unix version has a new, more efficient CGI interface. For a complete list of all the major and minor new features, enhancements and big fixes, go to http://webcrossing.com/Images/sysnotes_31.htm. Available today directly from Web Crossing at http://www.webcrossing.com, Web Crossing is now priced on a new traffic-based sliding scale model (see section below). Web Crossing can be evaluated and used for free below 1000 pageviews/day by going to http://www.webcrossing.com/310/main-order.html.

&uot;Server-side JavaScript is a major enhancement, and lets you customize Web Crossing using an industry-standard language,&uot; said Tim Lundeen, president and CEO of Web Crossing, Inc. &uot;Moreover, JavaScript's object-oriented structure lets you define new kinds of objects, and Web Crossing can save your objects in its database. For example, you can easily create an online auction, or build a store-front, simply by defining the new objects and methods you need for your application.&uot;

JavaScript For Easy Extendibility

Now, Web Crossing is extremely customizable with the integration of server-side JavaScript in version 3.1, effectively now making Web Crossing a true dynamic application server. Integrated server-side JavaScript provides an open-sourced, industry standard, object-oriented language for developers to use for creating add-on modules for Web Crossing. JavaScript add-on components can become persistent objects, stored in a database and reused. Extending core Web Crossing functionality with JavaScript is efficient and flexible. Connecting Web Crossing to other servers and clients across a network is now easier than ever with the newly integrated XML-based Remote Procedure Calls (XML-RPC) standard.

Dozens of Other New Features and Faster Too

Beyond a speed increase, Web Crossing version 3.1 incorporates a new spell checker, plus a wide variety of other new features. For Webmasters who want an alternative to Java-based chat, server-side HTML-based chat is integrated directly into version 3.1, eliminating the need for client browsers across platforms to handle Java in a consistent manner. New NNTP support lets Webmasters incorporate Net News traffic directly into normal system traffic or into ongoing Web Crossing discussions. Threads and discussions have traditionally been moveable in their entirety, but now, an advanced housekeeping tool for moving individual messages helps discussion moderators keep threads on topic.

Webmasters can now eliminate backups from their to-do lists by setting up a new automatically scheduled backup feature. With the release of 3.1, all versions of Web Crossing support highly robust clustered servers for redundancy and easy scaling to higher traffic. For Unix site developers, a new CGI interface program which incorporates FastCGI support is now available for a dramatically faster server response time and greater overall efficiency.

&uot;There's a lot of good stuff in this update,&uot; Lundeen said. &uot;Spell checking is obviously helpful to everyone. NNTP opens the door for incorporating newsgroups directly into Web Crossing discussions. Administrators are enthusiastic about the new support for XML-RPC, html-only chat, self-scheduled backups and dozens of other goodies we've added. And for the businessperson, we've made it easier to scale to the growth of the community or workgroup.&uot;

Pricing and Availability

With the release of Web Crossing v.3.1, Web Crossing, Inc. adopts a new software license pricing structure based on pageviews per day. Up to 1,000 pageviews per day is absolutely free with the &uot;powered by Web Crossing&uot; tag. Ten email messages and 100 chat messages are pageview equivalents. For traffic without the Web Crossing sponsor tag, up to 5,000 pageviews per day is priced at $695. Multiples of the 5,000-pageviews-per-day licenses can be combined to create one site license. A license for up to 50,000 pageviews per day is $4,995, with 200,000 pageviews per day priced at $9,996 and unlimited/enterprise available for $24.995. Priority support is available on an annual subscription basis for sites of 50,000 pageviews per day or more.

About Web Crossing, Inc.

Privately held and headquartered in Alameda, Calif., Web Crossing, Inc. (formerly Lundeen &Associates) is the clear leader in Web-based discussion software serving over 15 million pages per day at thousands of active Web Crossing sites, including such leading online destinations as Lycos, NY Times, CNN, and CNET. Since 1986, Web Crossing, Inc. has developed a proven collection of innovative and award-winning software products, the latest of which, Web Crossing, includes threaded discussions, support for live events, Internet tours, and fully integrated chat. Further information on Web Crossing software and Web Crossing, Inc. may be obtained by calling 510/521-5855, accessing Web Crossing's Web site at http://www.webcrossing.com, or sending email to [e-mail].

Web Crossing and webcrossing.com are trademarks of Web Crossing, Inc. or its subsidiaries. All other brands and products referenced herein are the trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective holders.