AMERICA ONLINE BREAKS GROUND WITH NEW HOME IMPROVEMENT FORUM

"HouseNet" Offers First Interactive Seminars for Do-It-Yourselfers

Vienna, VA, January 17, 1996 - America Online, Inc. today announced
HouseNet, the first home improvement service to leverage the interactivity
of the online medium to provide "Night School" classes for America's
rapidly growing number of do-it-yourselfers. Hosted by home improvement
gurus Gene and Katie Hamilton, HouseNet offers time and money saving
instruction on everything from hanging wallpaper to building a deck, as
well as access to valuable research, hot remodeling news and advice forums
from leading professionals. HouseNet is a service of The AOL Greenhousex,
a business unit of America Online designed to support "infopreneurs" in
the creation of groundbreaking interactive content developed exclusively
for the online medium. HouseNet is available on America Online at Keyword:
HouseNet.

"The AOL Greenhouse is about programming unique content to offer meaningful
knowledge, experience, and interactivity for our vast community of
members," said Ted Leonsis, President, America Online Services Company.
"HouseNet has incredible community appeal for the weekend do-it-yourselfer
as well as the home renovation expert. Its 24-hour accessibility and
interactivity enable members to get tips and advice when they most need it
- any minute of the day, any day of the week."

The Hamiltons bring 15 years of home improvement expertise including the
remodeling of 14 houses, as well as writing and publishing 10 books and
hundreds of magazine articles, including their syndicated column, "Do It
Yourself or Not?" The Hamiltons created and launched the first home
improvement bulletin board on the World Wide Web four years ago from their
Maryland home.

"Working with The AOL Greenhouse let us move HouseNet onto America Online's
rapidly growing service, expanding our audience reach to more than 4.5
million and leveraging the capabilities of a more graphical and
interactive environment," said Katie Hamilton, co-founder of HouseNet.

HouseNet's other co-founder continued, "AOL's 'live' interaction
capabilities let us develop the first Night School for do-it-your-selfers
and be among the first in our industry to deliver real-time connection
between home improvement enthusiasts and professionals."

Night School

The HouseNet Night School opens the doors of its virtual classroom in
January. A few of the first classes include "Choosing and Installing Door
Locks" with instructor Bill Phillips, a security expert and "Wallpapering
101" and "Painting for Beginners" which are taught by the Hamiltons.
Members "graduate" with a knowledge of a wide variety of home skills, from
common repairs to advanced remodeling projects. To complete the learning
experience, HouseNet offers a downloadable curriculum and other
supplemental materials and is available to members at no additional cost.

Other highlights of the program include:

Home Improvement Library - Members research topics from "A" (Attic
conversion) to "Z" (Zoning laws.) Renowned columnists include, Harry
Wicks, former editor of Popular Mechanics and Woman's Day, Jim Dulley,
editor of "Cut Your Utility Bills" and Gary Branson, former contractor and
editor to The Family Handyman.

Ask the Experts - Members can interact with skilled tradesmen and
specialists when seeking professional advice on a project.

House Proud Message Area - Members exchange remodeling triumphs and
tribulations.

SourceBook - A database of manufacturers, services and associations gives
members product innovation and remodeling news.

How-To TV - Members learn what's showing on their favorite home improvement
TV programs through online listings.

Tips Database - Access this database of categorized tips on completing a
job or making a repair.

Message Boards - Based on the Hamiltons' highly successful bulletin board,
this forum invites members to ask questions and give advice to other AOL
members.

Prize Giveaways - Lucky members win such prizes as an electric snow
thrower, a mulching lawnmower or power tools.

The AOL Greenhouse provides HouseNet with online production support
including full utilization of AOL's publishing tools, Internet publishing
support, seed equity funding, marketing resources, online promotion, and
an audience of more than 4.5 million America Online subscribers. Partners
in The AOL Greenhouse are given the opportunity to team with interactive
marketing partners to assist in the development of new revenue streams.

America Online, Inc., (NASDAQ symbol: AMER), based in Vienna, VA is the
largest and fastest growing provider of online services in the world with
the most active subscriber base. AOL offers its subscribers a wide variety
of services, including electronic mail, conferencing, software, computing
support, interactive magazines and newspapers and online classes, as well
as easy and affordable access to services of the Internet. AOL has a
global workforce consisting of more than 3,000 people. Founded in 1985,
AOL has established strategic alliances with dozens of companies,
including Capital Cities/ABC, Viacom, Bertelsmann, Hachette, IBM, Compaq
and American Express. Personal computer owners can obtain America Online
software at major retailers and bookstores, or by calling 800-827-6364.
 
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