Portland, OR - January 14, 2003
Inspiration Software today announced that its visual learning software products, Inspiration and Kidspiration, are finalists for the Software & Information Industry Association's (SIIA) 18th Annual Codie Awards. Inspiration 7 is a finalist for Best Secondary Education Instructional Solution and Best K-16 Educational Total Comprehensive Solution. Kidspiration, the company's visual learning software for kindergarten through fifth grade, is a finalist for Best Elementary Education Instructional Solution.

The 2003 Codie Awards showcase the software and digital content industry's finest products and services and honor excellence for corporate achievement and philanthropic efforts. The 185 Codie Award finalists represent all types of companies, from emerging start-ups to traditional industry powerhouses. The finalists, as a whole, comprise 40 product and service categories in the consumer and corporate markets. In 2002, Inspiration 6 received the Codie Award for Best Secondary Education Instructional Solution and Kidspiration was a finalist in the Best Elementary Educational Instructional Solution category.

"More than 10 million students and teachers worldwide recognize the power of Inspiration Software's visual learning software as important tools for building critical thinking skills," said Mona Westhaver, president and co-founder, Inspiration Software. "It is gratifying to have our products continue to be recognized by our peers in the software industry as well."

The Codie Awards is the only peer recognition program in the software and information industry, providing a unique opportunity for companies to compete for the praise of their competitors. The 2003 Codie Awards will be presented at a black-tie gala on Tuesday, May 6, during the SIIA Conference at the Palace Hotel in San Francisco.

"The digital code and content industry is as innovative and vibrant as ever. For a company to make the cut as a finalist is a terrific achievement. Simply put, each finalist is a leader in its field. We are extremely proud to recognize the creativity and hard work that have brought them to this point," said Ken Wasch, SIIA president.

About the Software & Information Industry Association
The Software & Information Industry Association (SIIA) is the principal trade association for the software and digital content industry. SIIA provides global services in government relations, business development, corporate education and intellectual property protection to more than 800 leading software and information companies. For further information, http://www.siia.net.

About Inspiration Software, Inc.
Recognized as the leader in visual thinking and learning, Inspiration Software, Inc. 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.