For Immediate Release

STARNINE AND BLUE WORLD EMBARK ON NEW STRATEGIC RELATIONSHIP

–Companies Collaborate to Create WebSTAR Lasso Publisher for Easy
FileMaker Pro and ODBC Database Publishing in Upcoming Major WebSTAR
Server Suite 4.0 Upgrade–

BERKELEY, Calif., March 29, 1999 — StarNine Technologies, Inc. and
Blue World Communications, Inc. today announced their new strategic
relationship, marked by the inclusion of the new WebSTAR Lasso
Publisher(tm) component within StarNine’s upcoming WebSTAR(R) Server
Suite 4.0, allowing organizations to easily deliver FileMaker Pro(R)
and ODBC database content via the Web. The new WebSTAR Lasso
Publisher plug-in, developed by Blue World and licensed and supported
by StarNine, is based on Blue World’s award-winning Lasso Web Data
Engine(tm), the popular add-on for WebSTAR users. WebSTAR Server
Suite 4.0, now in testing, is scheduled to be released in June of
this year (see related release dated 3/29/99). Beyond continued
development of WebSTAR Lasso Publisher, the strategic relationship
also includes sales of Blue World’s new Lasso Application Server(tm)
3.5 product within StarNine’s Bundle Up discount program
(http://www.starnine.com/) as well as sales of WebSTAR Server Suite
4.0 at the Blue World Store (http://store.blueworld.com/).

“We’re pleased to enter into this strategic relationship with Blue
World to further push the envelope for Mac(tm) OS-based Internet
publishing,” said Scott Steward, president of StarNine. “We’re also
very excited about the WebSTAR Lasso Publisher. Lasso is a fantastic
product, and now WebSTAR users can take advantage of basic Lasso
features for database publishing, adding dynamic content and greater
interactivity to their sites. Blue World’s experience in developing
successful database-to-Web connectivity products makes them an ideal
partner.”

“Blue World and StarNine have distinguished themselves as the
industry leaders since pioneering the Mac OS-based Internet
publishing industry over four years ago,” agreed Bill Doerrfeld,
president and CEO of Blue World Communications. “We’re pleased to
work with StarNine to bring the power and ease of Lasso technology to
every WebSTAR Sever Suite 4.0 customer. With WebSTAR Lasso Publisher,
it’s easier than ever to begin serving database-driven Web sites.”

Publish Your Database, Fast

The WebSTAR Lasso Publisher gives Webmasters an easy, turn-key
solution for publishing FileMaker Pro and ODBC databases on the
Internet or an intranet. Further, the included Lasso Instant Web
Database Publishing capability lets new users instantly publish
databases with point-and-click ease; no HTML or CGI programming
required. WebSTAR Lasso Publisher is based on a subset of the
upcoming 3.5 version of Blue World’s more robust Lasso Application
Server, which provides the full suite of professional features Web
application developers require to build and serve powerful, secure
database-driven Web applications. Lasso Application Server 3.5 (see
Blue World’s related release dated 3/29/99) will be available
directly from Blue World and its authorized resellers, and included
in StarNine’s Bundle Up program.

About Blue World

Blue World Communications (http://www.blueworld.com/) develops and
sells cross-platform Internet middleware software allowing Internet
and intranet information administrators to quickly build
sophisticated database-driven Web applications. Blue World provides
the Lasso 3.5 Web Data Engine (http://www.blueworld.com/lasso/), the
Blue World Store (http://store.blueworld.com/) and the Blue World
ListSearch service (http://listsearch.blueworld.com/) in fulfillment
of its mission of “bringing business to the Internet ™.” Recently
cited as the State of Washington’s 12th fastest growing technology
company, Blue World, based in Bellevue, WA, is a privately held
company founded in 1992.

About StarNine

Located in Berkeley, California, StarNine is a leader in the
development of powerful, easy-to-use Internet server software,
content creation tools and email products. Best known for its WebSTAR
server software, StarNine also offers ListSTAR, WebCollage, StarNine
Mail and Mail*Link Internet email gateways. StarNine’s Bundle Up
discount program streamlines the distribution of third-party
products. StarNine Technologies, Inc. is a privately held
corporation, wholly owned by Platinum Equity Holdings
(http://www.peh.com/). Further information on StarNine may be
obtained by calling 800/525-2580, accessing StarNine’s Web site
at(http://www.starnine.com/), or sending mail to info@starnine.com.

Media Contacts:
Naomi Pearce
Pearce Communications
510/528-0824
mailto:naomi@pearce.com