PORTLAND, OR - October 23, 2002
Inspiration Software, Inc. today announced that it was recently named to Deloitte & Touche's "Technology Fast 500", a ranking of the 500 fastest growing technology companies in North America. Rankings are based on the percentage of revenue growth over five years, from 1997-2001. Inspiration Software grew 617 percent during this period and ranked 493 in its debut on the list.

One of only five Oregon companies on this year's list, Inspiration Software is the market leader in software for visual learning and thinking. Inspiration^®, the company's flagship product, helps students grade six through adult develop ideas and organize thinking. Kidspiration^® is designed to help K-5 students organize information, understand concepts and express their thoughts.

"As an education software company, Inspiration Software is focused on making a positive difference in students' lives by providing software tools that help students learn to think," said Don Helfgott, CEO and co-founder. "With our products used in more than 60 percent of U.S. school districts, the Technology Fast 500 recognition affirms our belief that a company can make high quality software that supports student learning as well as achieve success as a business."

"With its ranking on the prestigious Deloitte & Touche Technology Fast 500, Inspiration Software's leaders have proven that they have the vision and the fortitude to excel in the highly competitive technology industry," said Mark A. Evans, managing director of Deloitte & Touche's Technology, Media & Telecommunications Group. "We congratulate Inspiration Software on becoming one of the fastest growing technology companies in the United States and Canada."

In addition to ranking on the Deloitte & Touche Technology Fast 500, Inspiration Software ranked 11th on the Oregon Technology Fast 50, a ranking of the state's fastest growing technology firms.

The Fast 500 list is compiled from three sources: Deloitte & Touche's 20 regional North American Fast 50 programs, nominations submitted directly to the Fast 500 and public company database research. To qualify for the Fast 500, companies must have had 1997 operating revenues of at least $50,000 USD and $75,000 CD, for the United States and Canada respectively, must be public or private companies headquartered in North America, and be "technology companies," defined as companies that own proprietary technology that contributes to a significant portion of the company's operating revenues or devote a high percentage of effort to research and development of technology.

Technology Fast 500 winners are invited to an exclusive CEO Summit held each spring. The CEO Summit, now in its fifth year, is designed to address the unique business challenges facing these super-charged technology companies.

About Inspiration Software, Inc.
Celebrating its 20th anniversary in 2002, Inspiration Software^®, Inc. is recognized as the leader in visual thinking and learning. The company develops and publishes innovative software tools that inspire learners of all ages to brainstorm, organize, plan and create. With more than 10 million users worldwide, the company's award-winning software is revolutionizing visual learning in education - inspiring students to develop strong thinking and organizational skills and improve their academic performance. Founded by Donald Helfgott and Mona Westhaver, the company's mission is to support improvements in education and make a positive difference in students' lives by providing software tools that help students learn to think.

About Deloitte & Touche
Deloitte & Touche, one of the nation's leading professional services firms, provides assurance and advisory, tax, and management consulting services through nearly 30,000 people in more than 100 U.S. cities. The firm is dedicated to helping its clients and its people excel. Known as an employer of choice for innovative human resources programs, Deloitte & Touche has been recognized as one of the "100 Best Companies to Work for in America" by Fortune magazine for five consecutive years. Deloitte & Touche refers to Deloitte & Touche LLP and its related entities. Deloitte & Touche is the U.S. national practice of Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu. Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu is a Swiss Verein, and each of its national practices is a separate and independent legal entity. For more information, please visit Deloitte & Touche's Web site at www.deloitte.com.

For more information, press only:
Lisa Wolfe, L. Wolfe Communications
312-494-0754, lwolfe@lwolfe.com