NETBEANS ANNOUNCES SUPPORT FOR THE JAVA(TM) DEVELOPMENT KIT 1.2

NetBeans DeveloperX2 2.1 runs on JDK 1.2 and is now Available to NetBeans'
Early Access Program Participants

New York, Java Business Expo, December 8, 1998 - NetBeans today announced
that its Java(tm) IDE, NetBeans DeveloperX2, supports and runs on Sun
Microsystems, Inc.'s Java(tm) Development Kit (JDK(tm) version 1.2). This
latest release of the JDK provides a rich feature set of new class
libraries and tools, making it easier than ever for developers to create
portable, distributed, enterprise-class applications. Sun's announcement of
the availability of the next version of the JDK was made today during the
Java(sm) Business Expo(sm) in New York. NetBeans Developer X2 2.1 (beta)
supports JDK 1.2 and uses it internally. It is available to NetBeans' Early
Access Program participants.

"Our users rely on NetBeans to be at the forefront of Java technology so
that they, in turn, can bring this technology to their clients or
corporations," said Roman Stanek, Founder/CEO of NetBeans, Inc.. "Sun's new
version of the JDK puts even more powerinto the hands of NetBeans users
allowing them to develop and deploy more advanced enterprise solutions.
We're excited to be a part of the leading edge of Java technology, and are
proud to have been chosen by Sun to show JDK 1.2's strength at the Sun So
lutions Pavilion of the Java Business Expo."

"NetBeans is one of the many developers pushing the Java software
envelope," said Jon Kannegaard, vice president and general manager of the
Java platform at Sun Microsystems, Inc. "By leveraging the functionality of
the JDK 1.2, NetBeans brings Java tech nology developers an effective
solution that makes it easier than ever for users to create portable,
distributed, enterprise-class applications."

In addition to overall performance improvements, Sun's new version of the
JDK enhances the NetBeans IDE by offering features such as drag 'n drop,
Beans enhancements, collections, JDBC 2.0, and Swing 1.1. Among other new
features, NetBeans DeveloperX2 will utilize the new APIs for grouping and
manipulating objects of different types and for extending server
functionality. JDK 1.2 will also strengthen NetBeans users' ability to
design more user-friendly interfaces, process images, address multilingual
requirements, use stylized text, and print.

"With the JDK 1.2 feature enhancements, our development team is getting a
strong weapon in its hands," said Ian Formanek, NetBeans' Chief Technology
Officer. "Now it's even easier to create full-featured platform-neutral
applications. Given the effort Sun has put into this new incarnation of
Java, we believe that JDK 1.2 will quickly become the platform of choice
for our customers."

The final release of NetBeans DeveloperX2 2.1 will be available in January,
1999. NetBeans Developer will also be available in a concurrent version,
which will continue to support JDK 1.1.x. NetBeans Enterprise, a multi-user
edition of the IDE due in Beta version in January, 1999, will support JDK
1.2. The full release of this edition of the IDE is due in Spring, '99.

About NetBeans IDE
NetBeans Developer is a programming tool for software developers who want
to design and build powerful, cross-platform applications - on any
platform. NetBeans was designed for the Java platform and is one of the
first comprehensive IDEs with sophisticated support for visual development
of JFC applications. It is an industrial-strength development tool that is
easy to learn and intuitive to operate.

NetBeans Developer combines support for all stages of application
development including visual design, coding, compiling, and debugging in a
comprehensive visual programming package. It runs on all platforms that
support JDK(tm) 1.1.x, including Windows 95/98/NT, Linux, Solaris(tm),
HP-UX, OS/2, AIX, SGI Irix, Mac and others. The IDE is based on JFC and
JavaBeans Components, and all parts of the IDE are actually themselves
JavaBeans. The result is an IDE where the user can fully customize the
interface, modify component behavior and easily add new components.
NetBeans is built to be extended and will offer APIs for users to create
their own modules.

About NetBeans, Inc.
NetBeans, Inc. is an emerging growth company based in Prague, Czech
Republic that has quickly risen to the forefront of Java technology
development. The company is shaping the future of Java applications by
taking a completely innovative approach to Java technology. NetBeans was
founded in July 1997, and is a privately held company whose investors
include Esther Dyson, CEO of EDventure Holdings (see
http://www.edventure.com/bios/esther.html).

NetBeans released its first product, Developer, in October of 1998. The
company's major product, NetBeans Enterprise, will be released (Beta) in
Q1, 1999. NetBeans' partners include KL Group, maker of 100% Pure Java
JavaBeans Components that are included in NetBeans Developer 2.0, and
Cloudscape, provider of an embeddable Java database to be incorporated into
NetBeans Developer in Q4, 1998. For more information about NetBeans, please
visit the company's web site at http://www.netbeans.com
Contact:
Helena Stolka
NetBeans, Inc.
helena.stolka@netbeans.com
Tel.: +420 2 8300 7322