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CALGARY, ALBERTA, May 21, 1997 - Net Shepherd Inc. announced today it has signed a letter of intent with AltaVista Internet Software, Inc., the provider of the Internet's premier search engine, to give millions of Internet customers a fast and powerful Web search and content filtering service. This agreement is based on Net Shepherd's Internet rating and review database -- the largest of its kind in the world for English language content -- and the state-of-the-art AltaVista Search service. "Together, AltaVista Search and Net Shepherd will transform the way people find information on the Internet," says Ilene H. Lang, president and CEO of AltaVista Internet Software, Inc. "Combining our extremely fast and comprehensive search engine with a powerful ratings and reviews database creates a unique service to enhance the Web user’s experience. While a typical AltaVista search returns every match, Net Shepherd’s content filtering will focus on content that is safe and useful for families." Net Shepherd has the largest ratings and reviews database of English language Internet sites in the world. As of March 1997, Net Shepherd Inc. had rated 97% of the English language sites on the Internet as indexed by AltaVista Search. Users can modify their searches with one of six age-appropriate categories and a unique five-star quality review. As part of the agreement, the companies intend to offer filtered searches to third party content providers. "A good example would be a family-oriented service that wants a ‘family-safe’ search on their site," says Don Sandford, president and CEO of Net Shepherd Inc. "Other examples would be sports or financial search sites that might only return safe five-star quality rated sites." Net Shepherd is also building and managing customized ratings and reviews databases, powered by AltaVista Search, where businesses and organizations can rate, review and filter content according to their organization's perspective on Internet content. Net Shepherd Inc. is traded on the Alberta Stock Exchange under the symbol WEB. Net Shepherd Inc. adds value to the Internet by enabling on-line communities to rate, review and filter information. For more detailed information about the Company and its solutions, visit our On-line Business Center, www.netshepherd.com. AltaVista's vision is OnSite Computing -- leveraging the real benefit of the Internet's universal presence of being able to do business wherever you are. AltaVista's OnSite Computing solutions includes the AltaVista Search Network, AltaVista Search services and software, AltaVista Firewall and Tunnel security solutions, as well as NT-based directory, mail and library solutions, all providing secure, simple and direct access to information and people over the Internet and private Intranets. AltaVista Internet Software, Inc. is a Digital company. Further information is available at http://altavista.software.digital.com, or by calling 1-800-336-7890. Note to Editors: Digital and AltaVista are trademarks of Digital Equipment Corporation Contacts: For Net Shepherd Inc. Kevin MacDonald
Don Sandford
Chuck Malkiel
Krys Monaco or Christina Lynch
The Alberta Stock Exchange has neither
approved nor disapproved the
CORP/97/659
  
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