READER'S DIGEST AND MICROSOFT INTRODUCE NEW CD-ROM: "READER'S DIGEST
COMPLETE DO-IT-YOURSELF GUIDE" FOR HOME REPAIRS AND HOME IMPROVEMENT

Based on Best-Selling Reader's Digest Do-It-Yourself Manual, CD-ROM
Contains 1,000 Photos, 65 Videos, 55 Animations and 1,300 Illustrations

PLEASANTVILLE, NY -- The Reader's Digest Association, Inc., the global
leader in do-it-yourself editorial products, and Microsoft Corp. have
jointly produced the "Reader's Digest Complete Do-It-Yourself Guide"
CD-ROM. With this new multimedia tool -- chock full of videos, animations,
photos and illustrations -- consumers now have a superior in-home
companion to help them tackle home repair and home improvement projects.

Inspired by the best-selling "Reader's Digest New Complete Do-It-Yourself
Manual," hailed by The New York Times as "the single-volume bible of home
repair," the CD-ROM is an easy-to-use product for beginner and experienced
handyperson alike.

"Consumers who want to save time and money on thousands of home repair and
home improvement jobs now have a leading-edge, multimedia product in the
'Reader's Digest Complete Do-It-Yourself Guide.' It's the most powerful
tool in a homeowner's toolbox," said Jack A. Smith, senior vice president
of television and new media, The Reader's Digest Association, Inc. "This
CD-ROM is a great example of our partnership with Microsoft to adapt our
superior editorial content to new multimedia platforms and deliver it
through multiple channels."

Packed with over 1,000 photos, 65 videos, 55 animations and 1,300
illustrations, the CD-ROM includes:

* 12 guided tours illustrated with everything from frequently asked
questions to how to construct a home office or ready your home for sale;

* Step-by-step "action how-tos" and instructions that can be printed with
the click of a mouse;

* A built-in Listmaker and Cost Estimator that let users create an
"electronic scratchpad" for estimating what a do-it-yourself repair or
improvement job will really cost -- before visiting the store or
lumberyard;

* A Find Feature with over 980 topics that lets users explore the entire
CD-ROM through topic, word, category or illustration;

* An easy-to-use interface and logically organized units that lead the home
handyperson through shortcuts, trade secrets, tools and techniques; and

* A way to gauge when to call a professional, and how to check references
or negotiate a contract before the job starts.

The "Reader's Digest Complete Do-It-Yourself Guide" CD-ROM is scheduled to
be available beginning April 11 at retail outlets where Microsoft products
are sold. It also can be ordered directly for $39.96 by calling
1-800-213-8900.

The Reader's Digest Association, Inc., (NYSE: RDA, RDB) is the preeminent
global publisher and direct marketer of products that inform, enrich,
entertain and inspire. Total revenues were $3.07 billion in fiscal 1995.
Reader's Digest has 21 international operating companies. Global
headquarters is in Pleasantville, N.Y.

Founded in 1975, Microsoft (NASDAQ: MSFT) is the worldwide leader in
software for personal computers. The company offers a wide range of
products and services for business and personal use, each designed with
the mission of making it easier and more enjoyable for people to take
advantage of the full power of personal computing every day.

Note to editors: As a special promotion, Reader's Digest is sponsoring a
contest and do-it-yourself site on America Online through June 16,
Father's Day. Weekly winners will get copies of the "Readers Digest
Complete Do-It-Yourself Guide" CD-ROM and the first-prize winner will
receive $1,000 worth of America Online time at the conclusion of the
contest. AOL keyword: Readers Digest.

System requirements: multimedia PC with a 486/33 or higher processor with 8
MB of memory (RAM) for Windows 95 or 16MB for Windows NT, 10 MB of
available hard-disk space, a double-speed or better CD-ROM drive, Super
VGA display with 256 colors or better, Microsoft Mouse or compatible
pointing device, Windows-compatible sound board and either headphones or
speakers, and the Microsoft Windows 95 operating system or a workstation
running on Windows NT version 3.5 or later (will not run on Windows
version 3.1 or earlier).

Contact: Michael I. Fanning, The Reader's Digest
Voice: 914 244-5010
Email: fanning@ix.netcom.com
or
Contact: Michael Kassin, Michael Kassin and Associates
Voice: 203-323-4166
Email: mikkass@aol.com
 
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