Document:

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                                                                   Exhibit 10.38

[Date]

[Name and Address]

Dear [Name]:

We are very pleased that you are considering joining us at Ascential Software.
The purpose of this letter is to set forth our offer of employment. We propose
that you begin employment with Ascential Software in the capacity of [Title] in
our Westboro office, reporting to [Name], [Title] of Ascential Software, with a
starting date no later than [Date].

Your salary, computed on an annual basis beginning on the date you become an
employee of the Company is [Amount], which will be paid, in equal semi-monthly
installments of [Amount]. You will be covered under our company health, dental,
life and long-term disability insurance benefit plans, effective on the first
day of your employment. Insurance programs are subject to change by the Company
without notice. Ascential Software also offers a 401(k) retirement savings
program with immediate enrollment eligibility. You will also participate in the
Executive Incentive Compensation Plan ("EICP") at a rate of [Percentage].

In addition to your base salary above, you will be recommended for a
nonqualified stock option under the Ascential Software Corporation Employee
Stock Option Plan to acquire [Amount] shares of the common stock of Ascential
Software Corporation. Options are granted to Ascential employees on the 15th
Ascential U.S. business day of each month (the "Grant Date"). If this option is
granted to you, it will be granted on the Grant Date occurring in the month
following the month in which your employment commences. You, of course, will be
under no obligation to exercise any stock options, which may be granted to you.
Should a Change In Control ("CIC") occur that also results in your termination
or constructive discharge, the vesting and exercise period for these [Amount]
stock options will be continued for one year beyond your termination date.
Severance pay in the amount of one years' base and on target earnings (EICP @
[Percentage]) shall be paid should a CIC, with resulting termination or
constructive discharge, occur.

This offer of employment is contingent upon the following:

         -        Your signing of the Company's Employee
                  Confidential/Ownership/Nonsolicitation Agreement, in the form
                  attached.

         -        Your acceptance of this offer by signing this letter below.

         -        Your signing of the enclosed W-4 form.

         -        Within your first day of employment, you must provide for
                  examination proof of your legal right to work in the United
                  States and complete the Immigration Form I-9 as required by
                  the U.S. Immigration and Naturalization Service. These include
                  either (1) a U.S. passport, a U.S. certificate of citizenship,
                  a U.S. certificate of naturalization, an unexpired foreign
                  passport with attached employment authorization or an alien
                  registration card with photograph; OR (2) a state driver's
                  license, a state I.D. card, a U.S. military card AND a Social
                  Security card or a U.S. birth certificate. If you do not have
                  proof of identification on the first day of employment, you
                  will be sent home to obtain the documents. You will not be
                  placed on the payroll until this form is completed by a
                  Company representative. If for any reason you are unable to
                  provide proof of your identity as well as your legal right to
                  work in the United States within the first three days, the
                  Company may terminate your employment. From time to time after
                  your first day of employment, you may be asked to provide
                  proof of your identity as well as your legal right to work in
                  the United
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                  States. Employment may be contingent upon approval of an
                  Export License granted by the U.S. Department of Commerce, if
                  required.

This offer of employment is for employment "at will", which means that it is not
for any specific period of time and your employment may be terminated with or
without cause by yourself or the Company at any time and for any reason.

As an employee of Ascential Software, you also agree to comply with company
policies, procedures and standards of conduct that may be established by the
Company.

This offer of employment contains all of the terms and conditions of your
employment with the Company and supersedes any and all prior, oral or written
representations or agreements made by anyone employed by, or associated with,
the Company.

The terms of this offer, if accepted, will become your terms of employment and
can only be added to or modified by a written document signed by the Vice
President of Human Resources, Human Resources Director or the President of the
Company.

Please be advised that this offer of employment is valid only to 7 business
days. Please acknowledge your acceptance by signing and dating this letter and
returning it to before 7 business days. In addition, please complete and return
all of the enclosed new hire forms to the Human Resources Staffing Department
prior to beginning your employment or no later than 3 days after your date of
hire. Enclosed for your convenience in returning the offer letter and related
material is a self-addressed envelope. Please bring all of your new hire
paperwork, required identification, Non-Disclosure Agreement with you on your
first day of employment for verification and witnessing by your manager.

Should you have any questions regarding this offer, please call Eileen Bergquist
at (508) 366-3888 x3215.

Sincerely,

Eileen Bergquist - VP Human Resources

Enclosures
AGREED ON THE _________________DAY OF ___________________________________

ANTICIPATED START DATE:__________________________________________________

SIGNED: _________________________________________________________________<PAGE>

                                                                   Exhibit 10(x)

                             AMENDMENT OF AGREEMENT

      Reference is made to an Agreement (the "Agreement") dated as of August
17, 2001 among Lynch Corporation (the "Company"), Ralph R. Papitto ("Mr.
Papitto") and Mario J. Gabelli ("Mr. Gabelli").

      WHEREAS, the parties to the Agreement wish to amend it to terminate
certain of their respective obligations thereunder.

      NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises and the mutual agreements
contained herein, the parties agree as follows:

1.    Sections 2, 5, 6 and 7 of the Agreement shall be, and they hereby are,
deleted therefrom, and the parties shall have no further obligations under or in
respect of said Sections 2, 5, 6 and 7. The parties acknowledge and agree that
this Amendment terminates the Company's obligation to grant the Option (as
defined in Section 2 of the Agreement) which was intended to be granted to Mr.
Papitto but which had not been accepted by Mr. Papitto or submitted to the
shareholders of the Company for their approval.

2.    All other terms and provisions of the Agreement are hereby ratified and
confirmed.

      IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have signed this Amendment as of this 7th
day of February, 2002.

                                          /s/  RALPH R. PAPITTO
                                               ----------------
                                                RALPH R. PAPITTO

                                          /s/  MARIO J. GABELLI
                                               ----------------
                                                MARIO J. GABELLI

                                          LYNCH CORPORATION

                                          By:   /s/  RAYMOND H. KELLER
                                                     -----------------
                                                      RAYMOND H. KELLER<PAGE>
                                                                   Exhibit 10(y)

                                LYNCH CORPORATION
                           2001 EQUITY INCENTIVE PLAN

1.       PURPOSE

         The purpose of this Equity Incentive Plan (the "Plan") is to advance
the interests of Lynch Corporation (the "Company") and its subsidiaries by
enhancing their ability to attract and retain employees and other persons or
entities who are in a position to make significant contributions to the success
of the Company and its subsidiaries through ownership of shares of the Company's
common stock ("Stock"), and cash incentives.

         The Plan is intended to accomplish these goals by enabling the Company
to grant Awards in the form of Options, Stock Appreciation Rights, Restricted
Stock or Unrestricted Stock Awards, Deferred Stock Awards or Performance Awards,
or combinations thereof, all as more fully described below.

2.       ADMINISTRATION

         Unless otherwise determined by the Board of Directors of the Company
(the "Board"), the Plan will be administered by the Company's Executive
Compensation and Benefits Committee (the "Committee").

         The Committee will have authority, not inconsistent with the express
provisions of the Plan and in addition to other authority granted under the
Plan, to (a) grant Awards at such time or times as it may choose; (b) determine
the size of each Award, including the number of shares of Stock subject to the
Award; (c) determine the type or types of each Award; (d) determine the terms
and conditions of each Award; (e) waive compliance by a holder of an Award with
any obligations to be performed by such holder under an Award and waive any
terms or conditions of an Award; (f) amend or cancel an existing Award in whole
or in part (and if an award is canceled, grant another Award in its place on
such terms and conditions as the Committee shall specify), except that the
Committee may not, without the consent of the holder of an Award, take any
action under this clause with respect to such Award if such action would
adversely affect the rights of such holder; (g) prescribe the form or forms of
instruments that are required or deemed appropriate under the Plan, including
any written notices and elections required of Participants (as defined below),
and change such forms from time to time; (h) adopt, amend and rescind rules and
regulations for the administration of the Plan; and (i) interpret the Plan and
decide any questions and settle all controversies and disputes that may arise in
connection with the Plan. Such determinations and actions of the Committee, and
all other determinations and actions of the Committee made or taken under
authority granted by any provision of the Plan, will be
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conclusive and will bind all parties. Nothing in this paragraph shall be
construed as limiting the power of the Committee to make adjustments under
Section 7.3 or Section 8.6.

3.       EFFECTIVE DATE AND TERM OF PLAN

         The Plan will become effective on the date on which it is approved by
the stockholders of the Company. Awards may be made prior to such stockholder
approval if made subject thereto. No Award may be granted under the Plan after
December 10, 2011, but Awards previously granted may extend beyond that date.

4.       SHARES SUBJECT TO THE PLAN

         Subject to adjustment as provided in Section 8.6, the aggregate number
of shares of Stock that may be delivered under the Plan will be 300,000. If any
Award requiring exercise by the Participant for delivery of Stock terminates
without having been exercised in full, or if any Award payable in Stock or cash
is satisfied in cash rather than Stock, the number of shares of Stock as to
which such Award was not exercised or for which cash was substituted will be
available for future grants.

         Subject to Section 8.6(a), the maximum number of shares of Stock as to
which Options or Stock Appreciation Rights may be granted to any Participant in
any one calendar year is 200,000, which limitation shall be construed and
applied consistently with the rules under Section 162(m) of the Internal Revenue
Code of 1986, as amended (the "Code").

         Stock delivered under the Plan may be either authorized but unissued
Stock or previously issued Stock acquired by the Company and held in treasury.
No fractional shares of Stock will be delivered under the Plan.

5.       ELIGIBILITY AND PARTICIPATION

         Each key employee of the Company or any of its subsidiaries (an
"Employee") and each other person or entity (including without limitation
non-Employee directors of the Company or a subsidiary of the Company) who, in
the opinion of the Committee, is in a position to make a significant
contribution to the success of the Company or its subsidiaries will be eligible
to receive Awards under the Plan (each such Employee, person or entity receiving
an Award, "a Participant"). A "subsidiary" for purposes of the Plan will be a
corporation in which the Company owns, directly or indirectly, stock possessing
50% or more of the total combined voting power of all classes of stock.

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6.       TYPES OF AWARDS

         6.1. OPTIONS

         (a) Nature of Options. An Option is an Award giving the recipient the
right on exercise thereof to purchase Stock.

         Both "incentive stock options," as defined in Section 422(b) of the
Code (any Option intended to qualify as an incentive stock option being
hereinafter referred to as an "ISO"), and Options that are not ISOs, may be
granted under the Plan. ISOs shall be awarded only to Employees. An Option
awarded under the Plan shall be a non-ISO unless it is expressly designated as
an ISO at time of grant.

         (b) Exercise Price. The exercise price of an Option will be determined
by the Committee subject to the following:

                  (1) The exercise price of an ISO or an Option intended to
         qualify as performance based compensation under Section 162(m) of the
         Code shall not be less than 100% of the fair market value of the Stock
         subject to the Option, determined as of the time the Option is granted.

                  (2) In no case may the exercise price paid for Stock which is
         part of an original issue of authorized Stock be less than the par
         value per share of the Stock.

         (c) Duration of options. The latest date on which an Option may be
exercised will be the tenth anniversary of the day immediately preceding the
date the Option was granted, or such earlier date as may have been specified by
the Committee at the time the Option was granted.

         (d) Exercise of Options. An Option will become exercisable at such time
or times, and on such conditions, as the Committee may specify. The Committee
may at any time and from time to time accelerate the time at which all or any
part of the Option may be exercised. Any exercise of an Option must be in
writing, signed by the proper person and delivered or mailed to the Company,
accompanied by (1) any documents required by the Committee and (2) payment in
full in accordance with paragraph (e) below for the number of shares for which
the Option is exercised.

         (e) Payment for Stock. Stock purchased on exercise of an Option must be
paid for as follows: (1) in cash or by check (acceptable to the Company in
accordance with guidelines established for this purpose), bank draft or money
order payable to the order of the Company or (2) if so permitted by the
Committee at or after the grant of the Option or by the instrument evidencing
the Option, (i) through the delivery of shares of Stock which have been held for
at least six months (unless the Committee approves a shorter period) and which
have a fair market value equal to the exercise price, (ii) by delivery of an
unconditional and irrevocable undertaking by a broker to deliver promptly to the
Company sufficient funds to pay the exercise price, or (iii) by any combination
of the foregoing permissible forms of payment.

                                       3
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         (f) Discretionary Payments. If (i) the market price of shares of Stock
subject to an Option (other than an Option which is in tandem with a Stock
Appreciation Right as described in Section 6.2) exceeds the exercise price of
the Option at the time of its exercise, and (ii) the person exercising the
Option so requests the Committee in writing, the Committee may in its sole
discretion cancel the Option and cause the Company to pay in cash or in shares
of Common Stock (at a price per share equal to the fair market value per share)
to the person exercising the Option an amount equal to the difference between
the fair market value of the Stock which would have been purchased pursuant to
the exercise (determined on the date the Option is canceled) and the aggregate
exercise price which would have been paid.

         6.2. STOCK APPRECIATION RIGHTS.

         (a) Nature of Stock Appreciation Rights. A Stock Appreciation Right (or
"SAR") is an Award entitling the holder on exercise to receive an amount in cash
or Stock or a combination thereof (such form to be determined by the Committee)
determined in whole or in part by reference to appreciation, from and after the
date of grant, in the fair market value of a share of Stock. SARs may be based
solely on appreciation in the fair market value of Stock or on a comparison of
such appreciation with some other measure of market growth such as (but not
limited) to appreciation in a recognized market index. The date as of which such
appreciation or other measure is determined shall be the exercise date unless
another date is specified by the Committee.

         (b) Grant of Stock Appreciation Rights. Stock Appreciation Rights may
be granted in tandem with, or independently of, Options granted under the Plan.

                  (1) Rules Applicable to Tandem Awards. When Stock Appreciation
         Rights are granted in tandem with Options, (a) the Stock Appreciation
         Right will be exercisable only at such time or times, and to the
         extent, that the related Option is exercisable and will be exercisable
         in accordance with the procedure required for exercise of the related
         Option; (b) the Stock Appreciation Right will terminate and no longer
         be exercisable upon the termination or exercise of the related Option,
         except that a Stock Appreciation Right granted with respect to less
         than the full number of shares covered by an Option will not be reduced
         until the number of shares as to which the related Option has been
         exercised or has terminated exceeds the number of shares not covered by
         the Stock Appreciation Right; (c) the Option will terminate and no
         longer be exercisable upon the exercise of the related Stock
         Appreciation Right; and (d) the Stock Appreciation Right will be
         transferable only with the related Option.

                  (2) Exercise of Independent Stock Appreciation Rights. A Stock
         Appreciation Right not granted in tandem with an Option will become
         exercisable at such time or times, and on such conditions, as the
         Committee may specify. The Committee may at any time accelerate the
         time at which all or any part of the Right may be exercised.

         Any exercise of an independent Stock Appreciation Right must be in
writing, signed by the proper person and delivered or mailed to the Company,
accompanied by any other documents required by the Committee.

                                       4
<PAGE>
         6.3. RESTRICTED AND UNRESTRICTED STOCK.

         (a) Grant of Restricted Stock. Subject to the terms and provisions of
the Plan, the Committee may grant shares of Stock in such amounts and upon such
terms and conditions as the Committee shall determine subject to the
restrictions described below ("Restricted Stock").

         (b) Restricted Stock Agreement. The Committee may require, as a
condition to an Award, that a recipient of a Restricted Stock Award enter into a
Restricted Stock Award Agreement, setting forth the terms and conditions of the
Award. In lieu of a Restricted Stock Award Agreement, the Committee may provide
the terms and conditions of an Award in a notice to the Participant of the
Award, on the stock certificate representing the Restricted Stock, in the
resolution approving the Award, or in such other manner as it deems appropriate.

         (c) Transferability and Other Restrictions. Except as otherwise
provided in this Section 6.3, the shares of Restricted Stock granted herein may
not be sold, transferred, pledged, assigned, or otherwise alienated or
hypothecated until the end of the applicable period or periods established by
the Committee and the satisfaction of any other conditions or restrictions
established by the Committee (such period during which a share of Restricted
Stock is subject to such restrictions and conditions is referred to as the
"Restricted Period"). Except as the Committee may otherwise determine under
Section 7.1 or Section 7.2, if a Participant dies or suffers a Status Change (as
defined at Section 7.2(a)) for any reason during the Restricted Period, the
Company may purchase the shares of Restricted Stock subject to such restrictions
and conditions for the amount of cash paid by the Participant for such shares;
provided, that if no cash was paid by the Participant such shares of Restricted
Stock shall be automatically forfeited to the Company.

         During the Restricted Period with respect to any shares of Restricted
Stock, the Company shall have the right to retain in the Company's possession
the certificate or certificates representing such shares.

         (d) Removal of Restrictions. Except as otherwise provided in this
Section 6.3, a share of Restricted Stock covered by a Restricted Stock grant
shall become freely transferable by the Participant upon completion of the
Restricted Period, including the passage of any applicable period of time and
satisfaction of any conditions to vesting. The Committee, in its sole
discretion, shall have the right at any time immediately to waive all or any
part of the restrictions and conditions with regard to all or any part of the
shares held by any Participant.

         (e) Voting Rights. Dividends and Other Distributions. During the
Restricted Period, Participants holding shares of Restricted Stock granted
hereunder may exercise full voting rights and shall receive all regular cash
dividends paid with respect to such shares. Except as the Committee shall
otherwise determine, any other cash dividends and other distributions paid to
Participants with respect to shares of Restricted Stock, including any dividends
and distributions paid in shares, shall be subject to the same restrictions and
conditions as the shares of Restricted Stock with respect to which they were
paid.

                                       5
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         (f) Other Awards Settled with Restricted Stock. The Committee may, at
the time any Award described in this Section 6 is granted, provide that any or
all the Stock delivered pursuant to the Award will be Restricted Stock.

         (g) Unrestricted Stock. Subject to the terms and provisions of the
Plan, the Committee may grant shares of Stock free of restrictions under the
Plan in such amounts and upon such terms and conditions as the Committee shall
determine.

         (h) Notice of Section 83(b) Election. Any Participant making an
election under Section 83(b) of the Code with respect to Restricted Stock must
provide a copy thereof to the Company within 10 days of filing such election
with the Internal Revenue Service.

         6.4. DEFERRED STOCK.

         A Deferred Stock Award entitles the recipient to receive shares of
Stock to be delivered in the future. Delivery of the Stock will take place at
such time or times, and on such conditions, as the Committee may specify. The
Committee may at any time accelerate the time at which delivery of all or any
part of the Stock will take place. At the time any Award described in this
Section 6.4 is granted, the Committee may provide that, at the time Stock would
otherwise be delivered pursuant to the Award, the Participant will instead
receive an instrument evidencing the Participant's right to future delivery of
Deferred Stock.

         6.5. PERFORMANCE AWARDS; PERFORMANCE GOALS.

         (a) Nature of Performance Awards. A Performance Award entitles the
recipient to receive, without payment, an amount in cash or Stock or a
combination thereof (such form to be determined by the Committee) following the
attainment of Performance Goals (as hereinafter defined). Performance Goals may
be related to personal performance, corporate performance, departmental
performance or any other category of performance established by the Committee.
The Committee will determine the Performance Goals, the period or periods during
which performance is to be measured and all other terms and conditions
applicable to the Award.

         (b) Other Awards Subject to Performance Condition. The Committee may,
at the time any Award described in this Section 6.5 is granted, impose the
condition (in addition to any conditions specified or authorized in this Section
6 or any other provision of the Plan) that Performance Goals be met prior to the
Participant's realization of any payment or benefit under the Award. Any such
Award made subject to the achievement of Performance Goals (other than an Option
or SAR) shall be treated as a Performance Award for purposes of Section 6.5(c)
below.

         (c) Limitations and Special Rules. In the case of any Performance Award
intended to qualify for the performance-based remuneration exception described
in Section 162(m)(4)(C) of the Code and the regulations thereunder (an "Exempt
Award"), the Committee shall in writing preestablish specific Performance Goals.
A Performance Goal must be established prior to passage of 25% of the period of
time over which attainment of such goal is to be measured. "Performance Goal"
means criteria based upon any one or more of the following (on a

                                       6
<PAGE>
consolidated, divisional, subsidiary, line of business or geographical basis or
in combinations thereof): (i) sales; revenues; assets; expenses; earnings before
or after deduction for all or any portion of interest, taxes, depreciation or
amortization, whether or not on a continuing operations or an aggregate or per
share basis; return on equity, investment, capital or assets; inventory level or
turns; one or more operating ratios; borrowing levels, leverage ratios or credit
rating; market share; capital expenditures; cash flow; stock price; stockholder
return; or any combination of the foregoing; or (ii) acquisitions and
divestitures (in whole or in part); joint ventures and strategic alliances;
spin-offs, split-ups and the like; reorganizations; recapitalizations,
restructurings, financings (issuance of debt or equity) and refinancings;
transactions that would constitute a Change of Control; or any combination of
the foregoing. A Performance Goal and targets with respect thereto determined by
the Committee need not be based upon an increase, a positive or improved result
or avoidance of loss. The maximum Exempt Award payable to any Participant in
respect of any such Performance Goal for any year shall not exceed $2,500,000.
Payment of Exempt Awards based upon a Performance Goal for the year ending
December 31, 2008 and thereafter is conditioned upon reapproval by Employer's
shareholders no later than Employer's first meeting of shareholders in the year
ending December 31, 2007.

7.       EVENTS AFFECTING OUTSTANDING AWARDS

         7.1. DEATH.

         If a Participant dies, the following will apply:

         (a) All Options and Stock Appreciation Rights held by the Participant
immediately prior to death, to the extent then exercisable, may be exercised by
the Participant's executor or administrator or the person or persons to whom the
Option or Right is transferred by will or the applicable laws of descent and
distribution, at any time within the one year period ending with the first
anniversary of the Participant's death (or such shorter or longer period as the
Committee may determine), and shall thereupon terminate. In no event, however,
shall an Option or Stock Appreciation Right remain exercisable beyond the latest
date on which it could have been exercised without regard to this Section 7.
Except as otherwise determined by the Committee, all Options and Stock
Appreciation Rights held by a Participant immediately prior to death that are
not then exercisable shall terminate at death.

         (b) Except as otherwise determined by the Committee, all Restricted
Stock held by the Participant must be transferred to the Company (and, in the
event the certificates representing such Restricted Stock are held by the
Company, such Restricted Stock will be so transferred without any further action
by the Participant) in accordance with Section 6.3(c).

         (c) Any payment or benefit under a Deferred Stock Award or Performance
Award to which the Participant was not irrevocably entitled prior to death will
be forfeited and the Award canceled as of the time of death, except as otherwise
determined the Committee.

                                       7
<PAGE>
         7.2. TERMINATION OF SERVICE (OTHER THAN BY DEATH).

         If a Participant who is an Employee ceases to be an Employee for any
reason other than death or retirement with consent of the Company after
attainment of age 65, or if there is a termination (other than by reason of
death) of the consulting, service or similar relationship in respect of which a
non-Employee Participant was granted an Award hereunder (such termination of the
employment or other relationship being hereinafter referred to as a "Status
Change"), the following will apply:

         (a) Except as otherwise determined by the Committee, all Options and
Stock Appreciation Rights held by the Participant that were not exercisable
immediately prior to the Status Change shall terminate at the time of the Status
Change. Any Options or Rights that were exercisable immediately prior to the
Status Change will continue to be exercisable for a period of three months (or
such longer period as the Committee may determine), and shall thereupon
terminate, unless the Award provides by its terms for immediate termination in
the event of a Status Change (unless otherwise determined by the Committee) or
unless the Status Change results from a discharge for cause which in the opinion
of the Committee casts such discredit on the Participant as to justify immediate
termination of the Award. In no event, however, shall an Option or Stock
Appreciation Right remain exercisable beyond the latest date on which it could
have been exercised without regard to this Section 7. For purposes of this
paragraph, in the case of a Participant who is an Employee, a Status Change
shall not be deemed to have resulted by reason of (i) a sick leave or other bona
fide leave of absence approved for purposes of the Plan by the Committee, so
long as the Employee's right to reemployment is guaranteed either by statute or
by contract, or (ii) a transfer of employment between the Company and a
subsidiary or between subsidiaries, or to the employment of a corporation (or a
parent or subsidiary corporation of such corporation) issuing or assuming an
option in a transaction to which Section 424(a) of the Code applies.

         (b) Except as otherwise determined by the Committee, all Restricted
Stock held by the Participant at the time of the Status Change must be
transferred to the Company (and, in the event the certificates representing such
Restricted Stock are held by the Company, such Restricted Stock will be so
transferred without any further action by the Participant) in accordance with
Section 6.3(c) above.

         (c) Any payment or benefit under a Deferred Stock Award or Performance
Award to which the Participant was not irrevocably entitled prior to the Status
Change will be forfeited and the Award cancelled as of the date of such Status
Change unless otherwise determined by the Committee.

         7.3. CERTAIN CORPORATE TRANSACTIONS.

         Except as otherwise provided by the Committee at the time of grant, in
the event of a consolidation or merger in which the Company is not the surviving
corporation or which results in the acquisition of substantially all the
Company's outstanding Stock by a single person or entity or by a group of
persons and/or entities acting in concert, or in the event of

                                       8
<PAGE>
the sale or transfer of substantially all the Company's assets or a dissolution
or liquidation of the Company (a "covered transaction"), the following rules
shall apply:

         (a) Subject to paragraph (b) below, all outstanding Awards requiring
exercise will cease to be exercisable, and all other Awards to the extent not
fully vested (including Awards subject to conditions not yet satisfied or
determined) will be forfeited, as of the effective time of the covered
transaction, provided that the Committee may in its sole discretion (but subject
to Section 7.4), on or prior to the effective date of the covered transaction,
(1) make any outstanding Option and Stock Appreciation Right exercisable in
full, (2) remove the restrictions from any Restricted Stock, (3) cause the
Company to make any payment and provide any benefit under any Deferred Stock
Award or Performance Award and (4) remove any performance or other conditions or
restrictions on any Award; or

         (b) With respect to an outstanding Award held by a participant who,
following the covered transaction, will be employed by or otherwise providing
services to an entity which is a surviving or acquiring entity in the covered
transaction or an affiliate of such an entity, the Committee may at or prior to
the effective time of the covered transaction, in its sole discretion and in
lieu of the action described in paragraph (a) above, arrange to have such
surviving or acquiring entity or affiliate assume any Award held by such
participant outstanding hereunder or grant a replacement award which, in the
judgment of the Committee, is substantially equivalent to any Award being
replaced.

         7.4. CHANGE OF CONTROL PROVISIONS.

         (a) Impact of Event. Notwithstanding any other provision of the Plan to
the contrary, in the event of a Change of Control, and unless otherwise provided
for in any certificate or agreement evidencing an Award:

                  (1) Acceleration of Options and SARs. Any Options and SARs
         outstanding as of the date such Change of Control is determined to have
         occurred and which are not then exercisable shall become exercisable to
         the full extent of the original grant, and all shares of Restricted
         Stock which are not otherwise vested shall vest. Holders of Performance
         Awards granted hereunder as to which the relevant performance period
         has not ended as of the date such Change of Control is determined to
         have occurred shall be entitled at the time of such Change of Control
         to receive a cash payment per Performance Award equal to the full value
         of the cash component of such Award (if any) plus the fair market value
         of Stock included in such Award.

                  (2) Restriction on Application of Plan Provisions Applicable
         in the Event of Termination of Employment. After a Change of Control,
         Options and SARs shall not be terminated as a result of a termination
         of employment other than by reason of death, disability (as determined
         by the Company) or retirement for seven months following such
         termination of employment or until expiration of the original terms of
         the Option or SAR, whichever period is shorter.

                                       9
<PAGE>
                  (3) Restriction on Amendment. In connection with or following
         a Change of Control, neither the Committee nor the Board may impose
         additional conditions upon exercise or otherwise amend or restrict an
         Option, SAR, share of Restricted Stock or Performance Award, or amend
         the terms of the Plan in any manner adverse to the holder thereof,
         without the written consent of such holder.

         Notwithstanding the foregoing, if any right granted pursuant to this
Section 7.4 would make a Change of Control transaction ineligible for pooling of
interests accounting under applicable accounting principles that but for this
Section 7.4 would otherwise be eligible for such accounting treatment, the
Committee shall have the authority to substitute stock for the cash which would
otherwise be payable pursuant to this Section 7.4 having a fair market value
equal to such cash.

         (b) Definition of Change of Control. A "Change of Control" shall be
deemed to have occurred if (i) any corporation, person or other entity (other
than the Company, a majority-owned subsidiary of the Company, any employee
benefit plan maintained by the Company or any of its subsidiaries or members of
the Board on the date the Plan is approved by the stockholders of the Company),
including a "group" as defined in Section 13(d)(3) of the 1934 Act becomes the
beneficial owner of Stock representing more than twenty-five percent of the
voting power of the Company (other than by consolidation or merger) or (ii)
within any 24 consecutive month period, persons who were members of the Board
immediately prior to such 24-month period, together with any persons who were
first elected as directors (other than as a result of any settlement of a proxy
or consent solicitation contest or any action taken to avoid such a contest)
during such 24-month period by or upon the recommendation of persons who were
members of the Board immediately prior to such 24-month period and who
constituted a majority of the Board at the time of such election, cease to
constitute a majority of the Board.

8.       GENERAL PROVISIONS

         8.1. DOCUMENTATION OF AWARDS.

         Awards will be evidenced by such written instruments, if any, as may be
prescribed by the Committee from time to time. Such instruments may be in the
form of agreements to be executed by both the Participant and the Company, or
certificates, letters or similar instruments, which need not be executed by the
Participant but acceptance of which will evidence agreement to the terms
thereof.

         8.2. RIGHTS AS A STOCKHOLDER, DIVIDEND EQUIVALENTS.

         Except as specifically provided by the Plan, the receipt of an Award
will not give a Participant rights as a stockholder; the Participant will obtain
such rights, subject to any limitations imposed by the Plan or the instrument
evidencing the Award, only upon the issuance of Stock. However, the Committee
may, on such conditions as it deems appropriate, provide that a Participant will
receive a benefit in lieu of cash dividends that would have been payable on any
or all Stock subject to the Participant's Award had such Stock been

                                       10
<PAGE>
outstanding. Without limitation, the Committee may provide for payment to the
Participant of amounts representing such dividends, either currently or in the
future, or for the investment of such amounts on behalf of the Participant.

         8.3. CONDITIONS ON DELIVERY OF STOCK.

         The Company will not be obligated to deliver any shares of Stock
pursuant to the Plan or to remove restriction from shares previously delivered
under the Plan (a) until all conditions of the Award have been satisfied or
removed, (b) until, in the opinion of the Company's counsel, all applicable
federal and state laws and regulation have been complied with, (c) if the
outstanding Stock is at the time listed on any stock exchange or The Nasdaq
National Market, until the shares to be delivered have been listed or authorized
to be listed on such exchange or market upon official notice of notice of
issuance, and (d) until all other legal matters in connection with the issuance
and delivery of such shares have been approved by the Company's counsel. If the
sale of Stock has not been registered under the Securities Act of 1933, as
amended, the Company may require, as a condition to exercise of the Award, such
representations or agreements as counsel for the Company may consider
appropriate to avoid violation of such Act and may require that the certificates
evidencing such Stock bear an appropriate legend restricting transfer.

         If an Award is exercised by the Participant's legal representative, the
Company will be under no obligation to deliver Stock pursuant to such exercise
until the Company is satisfied as to the authority of such representative.

         8.4. TAX WITHHOLDING.

         The Company will withhold from any cash payment made pursuant to an
Award an amount sufficient to satisfy all federal, state and local withholding
tax requirements (the "withholding requirements").

         In the case of an Award pursuant to which Stock may be delivered, the
Committee will have the right to require that the Participant or other
appropriate person remit to the Company an amount sufficient to satisfy the
withholding requirements, or make other arrangements satisfactory to the
Committee with regard to such requirements, prior to the delivery of any Stock
or removal of restrictions thereon. If and to the extent that such withholding
is required, the Committee may permit the Participant or such other person to
elect at such time and in such manner as the Committee provides to have the
Company hold back from the shares to be delivered, or to deliver to the Company,
Stock having a value calculated to satisfy the withholding requirement. The
Committee may make such share withholding mandatory with respect to any Award at
the time such Award is made to a Participant.

         If at the time an ISO is exercised the Committee determines that the
Company could be liable for withholding requirements with respect to the
exercise or with respect to a disposition of the Stock received upon exercise,
the Committee may require as a condition of exercise that the person exercising
the ISO agree (a) to provide for withholding under the preceding

                                       11
<PAGE>
paragraph of this Section 8.4, if the Committee determines that a withholding
responsibility may arise in connection with tax exercise, (b) to inform the
Company promptly of any disposition (within the meaning of section 424(c) of the
Code) of Stock received upon exercise, and (c) to give such security as the
Committee deems adequate to meet the potential liability of the Company for the
withholding requirements and to augment such security from time to time in any
amount reasonably deemed necessary by the Committee to preserve the adequacy of
such security.

         8.5. TRANSFERABILITY OF AWARDS.

         Unless otherwise permitted by the Committee, no Award (other than an
Award in the form of an outright transfer of cash or Unrestricted Stock) may be
transferred other than by will or by the laws of descent and distribution.

         8.6. ADJUSTMENTS IN THE EVENT OF CERTAIN TRANSACTIONS.

         (a) In the event of a stock dividend, stock split or combination of
shares, recapitalization or other change in the Company's capitalization, or
other distribution to holders of Stock other than normal cash dividends, after
the effective date of the Plan, the Committee will make any appropriate
adjustments to the maximum number of shares that may be delivered under the Plan
under the first paragraph of Section 4 above and to the limits described in the
second paragraph of Section 4 and in Section 6.5(c).

         (b) In any event referred to in paragraph (a), the Committee will also
make any appropriate adjustments to the number and kind of shares of Stock or
securities subject to Awards then outstanding or subsequently granted, any
exercise prices relating to Awards and any other provision of Awards affected by
such change. The Committee may also make such adjustments to take into account
material changes in law or in accounting practices or principles, mergers,
consolidations, acquisitions, dispositions or similar corporate transactions, or
any other event, if it is determined by the Committee that adjustments are
appropriate to avoid distortion in the operation of the Plan; provided, that
adjustments pursuant to this sentence shall not be made to the extent it would
cause any Award intended to be exempt under Section 162(m)(4)(c) of the Code to
fail to be so exempt.

         (c) In the case of ISOs, the adjustments described in (a) and (b) will
be made only to the extent consistent with continued qualification of the Option
under Section 422 of the Code (in the case of an ISO) or Section 162(m) of the
Code.

         8.7. EMPLOYMENT RIGHTS, ETC.

         Neither the adoption of the Plan nor the grant of Awards will confer
upon any person any right to continued retention by the Company or any
subsidiary as an Employee or otherwise, or affect in any way the right of the
Company or subsidiary to terminate an employment, service or similar
relationship at any time. Except as specifically provided by the Committee in
any particular case, the loss of existing or potential profit in Awards granted

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<PAGE>
under the Plan will not constitute an element of damages in the event of
termination of an employment, service or similar relationship even if the
termination is in violation of an obligation of the Company to the Participant.

         8.8. DEFERRAL OF PAYMENTS.

         The Committee may agree at any time, upon request of the Participant,
to defer the date on which any payment under an Award will be made.

         8.9. PAST SERVICES AS CONSIDERATION.

         Where a Participant purchases Stock under an Award for a price equal to
the par value of the Stock the Committee may determine that such price has been
satisfied by past services rendered by the Participant.

9.       EFFECT, AMENDMENT AND TERMINATION

         Neither adoption of the Plan nor the grant of Awards to a Participant
will affect the Company's right to grant to such Participant awards that are not
subject to the Plan, to issue to such Participant Stock as a bonus or otherwise,
or to adopt other plans or arrangements under which Stock may be issued to
Employees.

         The Committee may at any time or times amend the Plan or any
outstanding Award for any purpose which may at the time be permitted by law, or
may at any time terminate the Plan as to any further grants of Awards, provided
that (except to the extent expressly required or permitted by the Plan) no such
amendment will, without the approval of the stockholders of the Company,
effectuate a change for which stockholder approval is required in order for the
Plan to continue to qualify for the award of ISOs under Section 422 of the Code
or for the award of performance based compensation under Section 162(m) of the
Code.

                                       13

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