COMPUSERVE AND MICROSOFT COOPERATE ON WEB

BROWSER TECHNOLOGY COMPUSERVE AND MICROSOFT COOPERATE ON WEB BROWSER TECHNOLOGY;
COMPUSERVE LICENSES INTERNET EXPLORER FROM MICROSOFT

COLUMBUS, Ohio, Dec. 7 /PRNewswire/ -- CompuServe Incorporated today continues to strengthen its commitment to open Internet standards by reaching an agreement with the Microsoft(R) Corporation to license its popular World Wide Web browser, Internet Explorer(R).

This agreement furthers CompuServe's strategy to provide the best Internet applications at the best price while delivering unique content and superior value- added services. "We're pleased that CompuServe(R) has chosen to provide their customers with our state-of-the-art Web browser," said Brad Silverberg, senior vice president of Microsoft's personal systems division. "

Combining the power and ease-of-use of Internet Explorer with CompuServe's content and value-added services will ensure their customers a positive experience."

CompuServe will include a customized version of Internet Explorer in upcoming versions of their award-winning retail and corporate Internet suites: Internet In A Box(R), Internet In A Box for Kids(R), Mosaic In A Box(R), and Internet Office(R). Internet Explorer will also be included with new client software versions of CompuServe Information Service software and the company's new consumer online service code- named WOW!.

These products will be compatible with any other Internet application that supports the Windows Sockets industry standard. "CompuServe is committed to providing a browser that is fully compatible with open Internet standards," said Tim Oren, vice president and general manager of SPRY, CompuServe's Internet Division. "At the same time, we will continue to focus on the most important element of the Internet -- content and services."

The Future of Internet Browsers

Future versions of Internet Explorer will continue to support the emerging standards of the Internet, while including enhancements to support new technologies such as richer multimedia and OLE, as well as value-added services such as secure commerce.

Availability

The latest version of Internet Explorer is currently available from Microsoft's home page at http://www.microsoft.com/windows. In January,CompuServe customers will be able to download the free customized version of Internet Explorer from CompuServe's home page (www.compuserve.com) and SPRY's home page (www.spry.com).

Earlier this week CompuServe announced a unique online area called WebCentral(SM). This new area will allow users to download many popular Web browsers from one location and then use any browser to view the Web. WebCentral will be available on the CompuServe Information Service by Christmas, and in the first of 1996 on the Web.

About CompuServe

CompuServe is an H&R Block (NYSE: HRB) company.
Founded in 1955, H&R Block is a diversified services company and the world's leader in tax preparation and online information services. H&R Block Tax Services handled almost one in every seven returns filed with the Internal Revenue Service in 1995, serving 17.1 million taxpayers in more than 9,500 offices worldwide. CompuServe operates the most comprehensive online network in the world, providing services to nearly 900 corporate accounts and more than 3.8 million users in more than 140 countries.

(HRB MSFT)

CO: CompuServe Incorporated; Microsoft Corporation ST: Ohio, Washington IN:

CPR SU: LIC