REDMOND, Wash., Dec. 2, 1997 — Microsoft Corp. and CompUSA Inc., America’s Largest Computer Superstore® retailer, have joined forces to educate consumers about how they can get more out of the time they spend online. MSN
™, The Microsoft Network Internet online service has been selected as the online service for all course work at CompUSA. Microsoft is furnishing an MSN CD, complete with Microsoft® Internet Explorer 4.0 software, for every student.
CompUSA, which offers a wide variety of training classes for consumers and businesses at each of its 146 locations nationwide, is currently offering six new Internet courses providing the latest information on using the Web, including hands-on exercises using MSN to harness the power of the Internet. Users of all skill levels will benefit from instruction on how to take advantage of various aspects of the Internet, such as search engines and e-mail.
“We believe these courses can make the difference between consumers who would like to be online and those who are online,”
said Paul Poyfair, executive vice president/services at CompUSA.
“MSN is a great place to get started online because it is a premier online community, full of useful content and interesting members.”
“We look forward to this opportunity to work with CompUSA to help people get online and become more productive once they are there – one of our primary goals for the service,”
said Laura Jennings, vice president, The Microsoft Network.
“This is an extremely valuable opportunity for people of all experience levels to learn more about the Internet.”
A typical one-day course averages six hours in length and costs $199. Specific information about course content, schedules, price and registration are available at any local CompUSA store by calling (800) TRAIN80 (872-4680) or by visiting the company’s Web site at (http://www.compusa.com/) .
About The Microsoft Network
The Microsoft Network of online services makes it easy for consumers to harness the power of the Internet to lead more informed, more fun and more productive lives. MSN combines a comprehensive set of core Internet services, including e-mail, online forums and communities, and content and services programming, with direct access to leading Microsoft sites for news, travel, investment, car buying, games and entertainment. Specific programming and services available on MSN include the Microsoft Encarta® multimedia encyclopedia, the Expedia™ .com travel service, Disney’s Daily Blast SM and Family.com SM , the Slate
™online magazine, the CarPoint™ online automotive service, the Microsoft Investor online investing service, and up-to-date news and information from MSNBC News. The MSN home page can be reached at (http://www.MSN.com/) . Additional information for the press is available at (http://press.MSN.com/) .
Users can visit the MSN home page at (http://www.MSN.com/) to order MSN 2.5, the upcoming release of The Microsoft Network. Users with the Windows® 95 operating system and a modem can try the new version of MSN with a free* one-month trial by calling (800) FREE-MSN (373-3676) and requesting a CD.
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.
CompUSA Inc. is one of the nation’s leading retailers and resellers of personal computers and related products and services. The company currently operates 146 Computer Superstores in 66 major markets across the United States, which serve retail, corporate, government and education customers and include technical service departments and classroom training facilities.
*For users of the Windows 95 operating system only. One-month free unlimited trial is available to new members of MSN in the 50 United States, the District of Columbia or Canada only. A credit card is required. MSN premium charges, access charges (if access is purchased from a provider other than MSN) and local phone and/or long-distance toll charges may apply. Access availability may be affected by local market network activity and capacity. Offer expires Dec. 31, 1998.
Microsoft, MSN, Encarta, Expedia, Slate, CarPoint and Windows are either registered trademarks or trademarks of Microsoft Corp. in the United States and/or other countries.
Daily Blast and Family.com are service marks of Disney Online.
Other product and company names herein may be trademarks of their respective owners.
The Microsoft Network is operated by Microsoft Corp. on behalf of Microsoft Network LLC.
Note to editors: If you are interested in viewing additional information on Microsoft, please visit the Microsoft Web page at http://www.microsoft.com/presspass/ on Microsoft’s corporate information pages.
