IDGB Introduces Opera Web Browser For Dummies

First ever guide to popular, breakthrough browser

Foster City, CA - June 1, 2000

IDG Books Worldwide, Inc. (Nasdaq:IDGB), the leading provider of technology, business and how-to content, has teamed up with Opera(R) -- the widely popular, small and powerful web browser -- to create the first user guide to Opera's growing browser technology.

opera book Opera Web Browser For Dummies(R), which features a foreword by the software's co-creator and Chief Technology Officer Hakon Wium Lie, is slated for release this month. The newest offering in IDGB's For Dummies technology portfolio marks the premiere of a mass market user guide for software that, despite limited marketing efforts, has established itself as the third most preferred browser, worldwide, claiming market share from both the Netscape Navigator and Microsoft's Internet Explorer user base.

Since its debut nearly five years ago, Opera has attracted over 1 million global users. Its technology incorporates unique features with a small footprint, making it highly compact and configurable, faster, and more standard-compliant than most browsers. Opera's competitive advantages in the Windows platform make it well-positioned for further growth in the emerging market of hand held Internet devices.

"Like IDGB, Opera is an industry vanguard," said IDGB Chairman and CEO John Kilcullen. "We're extremely pleased to offer the first guide to using Opera, and we look forward to other opportunities that lie ahead as this amazing technology continues its meteoric growth."

"We're excited to see Opera come to print in IDGB's premier For Dummies series," said Jon von Tetzhner, Opera CEO and co-founder. "This will provide a valuable resource to Opera users, worldwide."

Opera Web Browser For Dummies, by Brian Underdahl, is priced at $24.99 (ISBN: 0-7645-0638-8), and includes a companion CD-ROM with a 30-day trial version of Opera for Windows.

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About IDG Books Worldwide

IDG Books Worldwide, Inc., (Nasdaq:IDGB), headquartered in Foster City, is a leading global knowledge company with a diverse portfolio of technology, consumer and general how-to content brands, computer-based learning tools, Web sites and Internet e-services. IDGB's best-selling brands include For Dummies(R), 3-D Visual(R), Bible(R), CliffsNotes(TM), Frommer's(R) The Unofficial Guides(R), Betty Crocker's(R), Weight Watchers(R) and Webster's New World(TM). IDGB is also the publisher of AOL Press(TM), Hewlett-Packard Press(TM), Netscape Press(TM) and Novell Press(TM).

The company has more than 4,000 active titles, has publishing partnership agreements in more than 90 countries plus translations in 39 languages around the world. IDGB owns the Web sites www.cliffsnotes.com, www.dummies.com and www.frommers.com. More information about IDGB is available from the company's SEC filing or by visiting the company Web site at www.idgbooks.com. IDGB is a subsidiary of International Data Group, a leading global provider of information technology media, research, conferences and expositions.

About Opera Software

Opera Software ASA is an industry leader in the development of Web browsers for the desktop and embedded markets, partnering with companies such as IBM, AMD, Symbian, Canal+ Technologies, Ericsson, Sharp and Lineo (now a division of Embedix). The Opera browser has received international recognition from end users and the industry press for being faster, smaller and more standards-compliant than other browsers. Opera is available on Windows, Mac, Linux/Solaris, OS/2, Symbian OS and QNX. Opera Software ASA is a privately held company headquartered in Oslo, Norway. Learn more about Opera at www.opera.com.

Contacts

IDG Books Worldwide

Margaret Durante
Tel: 212/654-8644
mdurante@idgbooks.com

About Opera Software ASA

The worldwide World Wide Web — any device, any platform, any bandwidth, absolutely anywhere in the world. Opera Software was founded in 1994, based on the idea that access to the Web should be a universal right. 220 million people (and counting) use the Opera web browsers for computers, mobile phones, TVs and other connected devices. Opera also delivers tools, distribution, engagement, monetization and market insights to developers, publishers and brands around the world. We are passionate about breaking down barriers, so everyone can share in the power of the Internet. Our vision of one Web for all remains at the heart of what we do, because we believe that participation changes everything. Opera Software ASA is listed on the Oslo Stock Exchange under the ticker symbol OPERA. Learn more about Opera at www.opera.com.