Document:

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                                                                     EXHIBIT 4.1

                                ANDOVER.NET, INC.
                             1999 STOCK OPTION PLAN

        1. Purpose of the Plan.

        This stock option plan (the "Plan") is intended to encourage ownership
of the stock of Andover.Net, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the "Company") by
employees, consultants and advisors of the Company and its subsidiaries, to
induce qualified personnel to enter and remain in the employ of the Company or
its subsidiaries and otherwise to provide additional incentive for optionees to
promote the success of its business.

        2. Stock Subject to the Plan.

        (a) The total number of shares of the authorized but unissued or
Treasury shares of the common stock, par value $.01 per share, of the Company
("Common Stock") for which options may be granted under the Plan shall not
exceed eighty six thousand four hundred (86,400) shares, subject to adjustment
as provided in Section 12 hereof.

        (b) If an option granted hereunder shall expire or terminate for any
reason without having vested fully or having been exercised in full, the
unvested and/or unpurchased shares subject thereto shall again be available for
subsequent option grants under the Plan.

        (c) Stock issuable upon exercise of an option granted under the Plan may
be subject to such restrictions on transfer, repurchase rights or other
restrictions as shall be determined by the Committee.

        3. Administration of the Plan.

        At the discretion of the Company's Board of Directors, the Plan shall be
administered either (i) by the full Board of Directors of the Company or (ii) by
a committee (the "Committee") consisting of two or more members of the Company's
Board of Directors. In the event the full Board of Directors is the
administrator of the Plan, references herein to the Committee shall be deemed to
include the full Board of Directors. The Board of Directors may from time to
time appoint a member or members of the Committee in substitution for or in
addition to the member or members then in

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office and may fill vacancies on the Committee however caused. The Committee
shall choose one of its members as Chairman and shall hold meetings at such
times and places as it shall deem advisable. A majority of the members of the
Committee shall constitute a quorum and any action may be taken by a majority of
those present and voting at any meeting.

        Any action may also be taken without the necessity of a meeting by a
written instrument signed by a majority of the Committee. The decision of the
Committee as to all questions of interpretation and application of the Plan
shall be final, binding and conclusive on all persons. The Committee shall have
the authority to adopt, amend and rescind such rules and regulations as, in its
opinion, may be advisable in the administration of the Plan. The Committee may
correct any defect or supply any omission or reconcile any inconsistency in the
Plan or in any option agreement granted hereunder in the manner and to the
extent it shall deem expedient to carry the Plan into effect and shall be the
sole and final judge of such expediency. No Committee member shall be liable for
any action or determination made in good faith.

        4. Type of Options.

        Options granted pursuant to the Plan shall be authorized by action of
the Committee and may be designated as either incentive stock options meeting
the requirements of Section 422 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended
(the "Code"), or non-qualified options which are not intended to meet the
requirements of such Section 422 of the Code, the designation to be in the sole
discretion of the Committee. The Plan shall be administered by the Committee in
such manner as to permit options to qualify as incentive stock options under the
Code.

        5. Eligibility.

        Options designated as incentive stock options shall be granted only to
employees (including officers and directors who are also employees) of the
Company or any of its subsidiaries, including subsidiaries which become such
after adoption of the Plan. Options designated as non-qualified options may be
granted to officers, employees, consultants, advisors and directors of the
Company or of any of its subsidiaries, including subsidiaries which become such
after adoption of the Plan. "Subsidiary" or "subsidiaries" shall be as defined
in Section 424 of the Code and the Treasury Regulations promulgated thereunder
(the "Regulations").

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        The Committee shall, from time to time, at its sole discretion, select
from such eligible individuals those to whom options shall be granted and shall
determine the number of shares to be subject to each option. In determining the
eligibility of an individual to be granted an option, as well as in determining
the number of shares to be granted to any individual, the Committee in its sole
discretion shall take into account the position and responsibilities of the
individual being considered, the nature and value to the Company or its
subsidiaries of his or her service and accomplishments, his or her present and
potential contribution to the success of the Company or its subsidiaries, and
such other factors as the Committee may deem relevant.

        No option designated as an incentive stock option shall be granted to
any employee of the Company or any subsidiary if such employee owns, immediately
prior to the grant of an option, stock possessing more than 10% of the total
combined voting power of all classes of stock of the Company or of a parent or a
subsidiary, unless the purchase price for the stock under such option shall be
at least 110% of its fair market value at the time such option is granted and
the option, by its terms, shall not be exercisable more than five years from the
date it is granted. In determining the stock ownership under this paragraph, the
provisions of Section 424(d) of the Code shall be controlling. In determining
the fair market value under this paragraph, the provisions of Section 7 hereof
shall apply.

        The maximum number of shares of the Company's Common Stock with respect
to which an option or options may be granted to any employee in any calendar
year shall not exceed eighty six thousand four hundred (86,400) shares, taking
into account shares subject to options granted and terminated, or repriced,
during such calendar year.

        6. Option Agreement.

        Each option shall be evidenced by an option agreement (the "Agreement")
duly executed on behalf of the Company and by the optionee to whom such option
is granted, which Agreement shall comply with and be subject to the terms and
conditions of the Plan. The Agreement may contain such other terms, provisions
and conditions which are not inconsistent with the Plan as may be determined by
the Committee, provided that options designated as incentive stock options shall
meet all of the conditions for incentive stock options as defined in Section 422
of the Code. The date of grant of an option shall be as determined by the
Committee. More than one option may be granted to an individual.

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        7. Option Price.

        The option price or prices of shares of the Company's Common Stock for
options designated as non-qualified stock options shall be as determined by the
Committee. The option price or prices of shares of the Company's Common Stock
for incentive stock options shall be not less than the fair market value of such
Common Stock at the time the option is granted as determined by the Committee in
accordance with the Regulations promulgated under Section 422 of the Code. If
such shares are then listed on any national securities exchange, the fair market
value shall be the mean between the high and low sales prices, if any, on the
largest such exchange on the date of the grant of the option or, if none, shall
be determined by taking a weighted average of the means between the highest and
lowest sales prices on the nearest date before and the nearest date after the
date of grant in accordance with Treasury Regulations Section 25.2512-2. If the
shares are not then listed on any such exchange, the fair market value of such
shares shall be the mean between the high and low sales prices, if any, as
reported in the National Association of Securities Dealers Automated Quotation
National Market ("NASDAQ/NM") for the date of the grant of the option, or, if
none, shall be determined by taking a weighted average of the means between the
highest and lowest sales on the nearest date before and the nearest date after
the date of grant in accordance with Treasury Regulations Section 25.2512-2. If
the shares are not then either listed on any such exchange or quoted in
NASDAQ/NM, the fair market value shall be the mean between the average of the
"Bid" and the average of the "Ask" prices, if any, as reported in the National
Daily Quotation Service for the date of the grant of the option, or, if none,
shall be determined by taking a weighted average of the means between the
highest and lowest sales prices on the nearest date before and the nearest date
after the date of grant in accordance with Treasury Regulations Section
25.2512-2. If the fair market value cannot be determined under the preceding
three sentences, it shall be determined in good faith by the Committee.

        8.     Manner of Payment; Manner of Exercise.

        (a) Options granted under the Plan may provide for the payment of the
exercise price, as determined by the Committee, and as set forth in the Option
Agreement, by delivery of (i) cash or a check payable to the order of the
Company in an amount equal to the exercise price of such options, (ii) shares of
Common Stock of the Company owned by the optionee having a fair market value
equal in amount to the exercise price of the options being exercised, (iii) any
combination of (i) and (ii), provided, however, that payment of the exercise
price by delivery of shares of Common Stock

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of the Company owned by such optionee may be made only if such payment does not
result in a charge to earnings for financial accounting purposes as determined
by the Committee or (iv) by delivery of a properly executed exercise notice to
the Company, together with a copy of irrevocable instruments to a broker to
deliver promptly to the Company the amount of sale or loan proceeds to pay the
exercise price. The fair market value of any shares of the Company's Common
Stock which may be delivered upon exercise of an option shall be determined by
the Committee in accordance with Section 7 hereof. To facilitate clause (iv)
above, the Company may enter into agreements for coordinated procedures with one
or more brokerage firms. The date of exercise shall be the date of delivery of
such exercise notice or payment.

        (b) To the extent that the right to purchase shares under an option has
accrued and is in effect, options may be exercised in full at one time or in
part from time to time, by giving written notice, signed by the person or
persons exercising the option, to the Company, stating the number of shares with
respect to which the option is being exercised, accompanied by payment in full
for such shares as provided in subparagraph (a) above. Upon such exercise,
delivery of a certificate for paid-up non-assessable shares shall be made at the
principal office of the Company to the person or persons exercising the option
at such time, during ordinary business hours, not more than ten (10) days from
the date of receipt of the notice by the Company, as shall be designated in such
notice, or at such time, place and manner as may be agreed upon by the Company
and the person or persons exercising the option. Upon exercise of the option and
payment as provided above, the optionee shall become a shareholder of the
Company as to the Shares acquired upon such exercise.

        9. Exercise of Options.

        Each option granted under the Plan shall, subject to Section 10(b) and
Section 12 hereof, be exercisable at such time or times and during such period
as determined by the Committee which shall be set forth in the Agreement;
provided, however, that no option granted under the Plan shall have a term in
excess of ten (10) years from the date of grant.

        To the extent that an option to purchase shares is not exercised by an
optionee when it becomes initially exercisable, it shall not expire but shall be
carried forward and shall be exercisable, on a cumulative basis, until the
expiration of the exercise period. No partial exercise may be made for less than
fifty (50) full shares of Common Stock.

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        Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Committee may in its discretion
accelerate the exercisability of any option subject to such terms and conditions
as the Committee deems necessary and appropriate.

        10.    Term of Options; Exercisability.

               (a) Term.

               (1) Each option shall expire not more than ten (10) years from
the date of the granting thereof, but shall be subject to earlier termination as
herein provided.

               (2) Except as otherwise provided in this Section 10, an option
granted to any employee optionee who ceases to be an employee of the Company or
one of its subsidiaries shall terminate 60 days after the date such optionee
ceases to be an employee of the Company or one of its subsidiaries, or on the
date on which the option expires by its terms, whichever occurs first.

               (3) If such termination of employment is because of dismissal for
cause or because the employee is in breach of any employment agreement, such
option will terminate on the date the optionee ceases to be an employee of the
Company or one of its subsidiaries.

               (4) If such termination of employment is because the optionee has
become permanently disabled (within the meaning of Section 22(e)(3) of the
Code), such option shall terminate on the last day of the twelfth month from the
date such optionee ceases to be an employee, or on the date on which the option
expires by its terms, whichever occurs first.

               (5) In the event of the death of any optionee, any option granted
to such optionee shall terminate on the last day of the twelfth month from the
date of death, or on the date on which the option expires by its terms,
whichever occurs first.

               (6) Notwithstanding subparagraphs (2), (3), (4) and (5) above,
the Committee shall have the authority to extend the expiration date of any
outstanding option in circumstances in which it deems such action to be
appropriate, provided that no such extension shall extend the term of an option
beyond the date on which the option would have expired if no termination of the
optionee's employment had occurred.

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        (b) Exercisability.

            (1) Except as provided below, an option granted to an employee
optionee who ceases to be an employee of the Company or one of its subsidiaries
shall be exercisable only to the extent that the right to purchase shares under
such option has accrued and is in effect on the date such optionee ceases to be
an employee of the Company or one of its subsidiaries.

            (2) An option granted to an employee optionee who ceases to be an
employee of the Company or one of its subsidiaries because he or she has become
permanently disabled, as defined in Section 22(e)(3) of the Code, shall be
exercisable by such person or his or her legal representative only to the extent
that the right to purchase shares under such option has accrued and is in effect
on the date such optionee ceases to be an employee of the Company or one of its
subsidiaries.

            (3) In the event of the death of any optionee, the option granted to
such optionee may be exercised only to the extent that the right to purchase
shares under such option is accrued and is in effect on the date of the death of
such optionee by the estate of such optionee, or by any person or persons who
acquired the right to exercise such option by bequest or inheritance or by
reason of the death of such optionee.

        11. Options Not Transferable.

        The right of any optionee to exercise any option granted to him or her
shall not be assignable or transferable by such optionee otherwise than by will
or the laws of descent and distribution, except that an optionee may transfer
options that are not incentive stock options granted under Plan to the
optionee's spouse or children or to a trust or family limited partnership or
similar organization established for the sole benefit of one or more of the
optionee, the optionee's spouse or the optionee's children; provided, that prior
to any registration by the Company under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended
(the "Securities Act"), no optionee shall assign or transfer any option if the
result of such assignment or transfer shall be to increase, upon exercise of the
option, the total number of holders of Common Stock without the prior written
consent of the Committee, which consent may be withheld by the Committee if it
reasonably believes that withholding such consent will reduce the likelihood
that the Company would be required to register its Common Stock under the
Securities Act. Incentive stock options shall be exercisable during the lifetime
of such optionee only by him/her. Any option granted under the Plan shall be
null and void and without effect upon the bankruptcy of the optionee to whom the

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option is granted, or upon any attempted assignment or transfer, except as
herein provided, including without limitation any purported assignment, whether
voluntary or by operation of law, pledge, hypothecation or other disposition,
attachment, divorce, trustee process or similar process, whether legal or
equitable, upon such option.

        12. Recapitalizations, Reorganizations and the Like.

        (a) In the event that the outstanding shares of the Common Stock of the
Company are changed into or exchanged for a different number or kind of shares
or other securities of the Company or of another corporation by reason of any
reorganization, merger, consolidation, recapitalization, reclassification, stock
split-up, combination of shares, or dividends payable in capital stock,
appropriate adjustment shall be made in the number and kind of shares as to
which options may be granted under the Plan and as to which outstanding options
or portions thereof then unexercised shall be exercisable, to the end that the
proportionate interest of the optionee shall be maintained as before the
occurrence of such event; such adjustment in outstanding options shall be made
without change in the total price applicable to the unexercised portion of such
options and with a corresponding adjustment in the option price per share.

        (b) In addition, unless otherwise determined by the Committee in its
sole discretion, in the case of any (i) sale or conveyance to another entity of
all or substantially all of the property and assets of the Company, including,
without limitation, by way of merger or consolidation, or (ii) Change in Control
(as hereinafter defined) of the Company, the purchaser(s) of the Company's
assets or stock may, in his, her or its discretion, deliver to the optionee the
same kind of consideration that is delivered to the shareholders of the Company
as a result of such sale, conveyance or Change in Control, the Committee may
cancel all outstanding options in exchange for consideration in cash or in kind
which consideration shall be equal in value to the value of those shares of
stock or other securities the optionee would have received had the option been
exercised (to the extent then exercisable) and no disposition of the shares
acquired upon such exercise been made prior to such sale, conveyance or Change
in Control, less the option price therefor. Upon receipt of such consideration
by the optionee, his or her option shall immediately terminate and be of no
further force and effect. The value of the stock or other securities the
optionee would have received if the option had been exercised shall be
determined in good faith by the Committee, and in the case of shares of the
Common Stock of the Company, in accordance with the provisions of Section 7
hereof. The Committee shall also have the power and right to accelerate the
exercisability of any options, notwithstanding any limitations in this Plan or
in the Agreement upon such a sale,

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conveyance or Change in Control. Upon such acceleration, any options or portion
thereof originally designated as incentive stock options that no longer qualify
as incentive stock options under Section 422 of the Code as a result of such
acceleration shall be redesignated as non-qualified stock options. A "Change in
Control" shall be deemed to have occurred if any person, together with all
affiliates of such person or persons, who prior to such time owned less than
thirty percent (30%) of the then outstanding Common Stock of the Company, shall
acquire, whether by purchase, exchange, tender offer, merger, consolidation or
otherwise, such additional shares of the Company's Common Stock in one or more
transactions, or series of transactions, such that following such transaction or
transactions, such person and affiliates beneficially own fifty percent (50%) or
more of the Company's Common Stock outstanding; provided, that in no event shall
the consummation of an initial public offering by the Company constitute a
Change of Control.

        (c) Upon dissolution or liquidation of the Company, all options granted
under this Plan shall terminate, but each optionee (if at such time in the
employ of or otherwise associated with the Company or any of its subsidiaries)
shall have the right, immediately prior to such dissolution or liquidation, to
exercise his or her option to the extent then exercisable.

        (d) No fraction of a share shall be purchasable or deliverable upon the
exercise of any option, but in the event any adjustment hereunder of the number
of shares covered by the option shall cause such number to include a fraction of
a share, such fraction shall be adjusted to the nearest smaller whole number of
shares.

        13. No Special Employment Rights.

        Nothing contained in the Plan or in any option granted under the Plan
shall confer upon any option holder any right with respect to the continuation
of his or her employment by the Company (or any subsidiary) or interfere in any
way with the right of the Company (or any subsidiary), subject to the terms of
any separate employment agreement to the contrary, at any time to terminate such
employment or to increase or decrease the compensation of the option holder from
the rate in existence at the time of the grant of an option. Whether an
authorized leave of absence, or absence in military or government service, shall
constitute termination of employment shall be determined by the Committee at the
time.

        14. Withholding.

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        The Company's obligation to deliver shares upon the exercise of any
option granted under the Plan and any payments or transfers under Section 12
hereof shall be subject to the option holder's satisfaction of all applicable
Federal, state and local income, excise, employment and any other tax
withholding requirements.

        15. Restrictions on Issue of Shares.

        (a) Notwithstanding the provisions of Section 8, the Company may delay
the issuance of shares covered by the exercise of an option and the delivery of
a certificate for such shares until one of the following conditions shall be
satisfied:

            (i) The shares with respect to which such option has been exercised
are at the time of the issue of such shares effectively registered or qualified
under applicable Federal and state securities acts now in force or as hereafter
amended; or

            (ii) Counsel for the Company shall have given an opinion, which
opinion shall not be unreasonably conditioned or withheld, that such shares are
exempt from registration and qualification under applicable Federal and state
securities acts now in force or as hereafter amended.

        (b) It is intended that all exercises of options shall be effective, and
the Company shall use its best efforts to bring about compliance with the above
conditions within a reasonable time, except that the Company shall be under no
obligation to qualify shares or to cause a registration statement or a
post-effective amendment to any registration statement to be prepared for the
purpose of covering the issue of shares in respect of which any option may be
exercised, except as otherwise agreed to by the Company in writing.

        16. Purchase for Investment; Rights of Holder on Subsequent
Registration.

        Unless the shares to be issued upon exercise of an option granted under
the Plan have been effectively registered under the Securities Act of 1933, as
now in force or hereafter amended, the Company shall be under no obligation to
issue any shares covered by any option unless the person who exercises such
option, in whole or in part, shall give a written representation and undertaking
to the Company which is satisfactory in form and scope to counsel for the
Company and upon which, in the opinion of such counsel, the Company may
reasonably rely, that he or she is acquiring the shares issued pursuant to such
exercise of the option for his or her own account as an investment and not with
a view

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to, or for sale in connection with, the distribution of any such shares, and
that he or she will make no transfer of the same except in compliance with any
rules and regulations in force at the time of such transfer under the Securities
Act of 1933, or any other applicable law, and that if shares are issued without
such registration, a legend to this effect may be endorsed upon the securities
so issued. In the event that the Company shall, nevertheless, deem it necessary
or desirable to register under the Securities Act of 1933 or other applicable
statutes any shares with respect to which an option shall have been exercised,
or to qualify any such shares for exemption from the Securities Act of 1933 or
other applicable statutes, then the Company may take such action and may require
from each optionee such information in writing for use in any registration
statement, supplementary registration statement, prospectus, preliminary
prospectus or offering circular as is reasonably necessary for such purpose and
may require reasonable indemnity to the Company and its officers and directors
and controlling persons from such holder against all losses, claims, damages and
liabilities arising from such use of the information so furnished and caused by
any untrue statement of any material fact therein or caused by the omission to
state a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the
statements therein not misleading in the light of the circumstances under which
they were made.

        17. Loans.

        The Company may make loans to optionees to permit them to exercise
options. If loans are made, the requirements of all applicable Federal and state
laws and regulations regarding such loans must be met.

        18. Modification of Outstanding Options.

        The Committee may authorize the amendment of any outstanding option with
the consent of the optionee when and subject to such conditions as are deemed to
be in the best interests of the Company and in accordance with the purposes of
this Plan.

        19. Approval of Stockholders.

        The Plan shall be subject to approval by the vote of stockholders
holding at least a majority of the voting stock of the Company present, or
represented, and entitled to vote at a duly held stockholders' meeting, or by
written consent of the stockholders as provided for under applicable state law,
within twelve (12) months after the adoption of the Plan by the Board of
Directors and shall take effect as of the date of adoption by the Board of
Directors upon such approval. The

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Committee may grant options under the Plan prior to such approval, but any such
option shall become effective as of the date of grant only upon such approval
and, accordingly, no such option may be exercisable prior to such approval.

        20. Termination and Amendment.

        Unless sooner terminated as herein provided, the Plan shall terminate
ten (10) years from the date upon which the Plan was duly adopted by the Board
of Directors of the Company. The Board of Directors may at any time terminate
the Plan or make such modification or amendment thereof as it deems advisable;
provided, however, that except as provided in this Section 20, the Board of
Directors may not, without the approval of the stockholders of the Company
obtained in the manner stated in Section 19, increase the maximum number of
shares for which options may be granted or change the designation of the class
of persons eligible to receive options under the Plan, or make any other change
in the Plan which requires stockholder approval under applicable law or
regulations.

        21. Reservation of Stock.

        The Company shall at all times during the term of the Plan reserve and
keep available such number of shares of stock as will be sufficient to satisfy
the requirements of the Plan and shall pay all fees and expenses necessarily
incurred by the Company in connection therewith.

        22. Limitation of Rights in the Option Shares.

        An optionee shall not be deemed for any purpose to be a stockholder of
the Company with respect to any of the options except to the extent that the
option shall have been exercised with respect thereto and, in addition, a
certificate shall have been issued theretofore and delivered to the optionee.

        23. Notices.

        Any communication or notice required or permitted to be given under the
Plan shall be in writing, and mailed by registered or certified mail or
delivered by hand, if to the Company, to its principal place of business,
attention: President, and, if to an optionee, to the address as appearing on the
records of the Company.

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                                ANDOVER.NET, INC.
                             STOCK OPTION AGREEMENT
                          UNDER 1999 STOCK OPTION PLAN
                             INCENTIVE STOCK OPTION

        AGREEMENT entered into as of the date set forth on the signature page
hereto by and between Andover.Net, Inc., a Delaware corporation with a principal
place of business in Acton, Massachusetts (the "Company"), and the undersigned
employee of the Company (or one of its subsidiaries) (the Company and its
subsidiaries herein together referred to as the "Company") (the "Employee").

        A. The Company desires to grant the Employee an incentive stock option
under the Company's 1999 Stock Option Plan (the "Plan") to acquire shares of the
Company's Common Stock, par value $.01 per share (the "Shares").

        B. Section 6 of the Plan provides that each option is to be evidenced by
an option agreement, setting forth the terms and conditions of the option.

        ACCORDINGLY, in consideration of the premises and of the mutual
covenants and agreements contained herein, the Company and the Employee hereby
agree as follows:

        1. Grant of Option. The Company hereby irrevocably grants under the Plan
and subject to the terms and conditions of the Plan to the Employee an incentive
stock option (the "Option") to purchase all or any part of an aggregate of the
number of Shares set forth below the Employee's name on the signature page
hereto, on the terms and conditions hereinafter set forth.

        2. Purchase Price. The per share purchase price ("Purchase Price") for
the Shares covered by the Option shall be as set forth below the Employee's name
on the signature page hereto.

        3. Time of Exercise of Option.

            (a) The Option shall not be exercisable prior to the first
anniversary of the Grant Date set forth below the Optionee's name on the
signature page hereto (the "Grant Date"). Thereafter, subject to the provisions
of this Agreement and of the Plan, the Option shall only be exercisable as
follows: on the first anniversary of the Grant Date (the "First Anniversary
Date"), twenty-five percent (25%) of the Shares shall vest. Thereafter,
additional Shares shall vest on a monthly basis, in arrears, beginning at the
end of each month after the First Anniversary Date, in increments of 2.0833% of
the Shares, such that by the fourth anniversary of the Grant Date all Shares
shall vest; provided, however, that no option granted under the Plan shall have
a term in excess of ten (10) years from the date of grant. The end of a month
shall for purposes hereof be the same day of the month as the day of the month
on which falls the First Anniversary Date, or if not one in a particular month,
the last day of such month.

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            (b) In the event of a Change of Control (as hereinafter defined),
the Employee will automatically receive accelerated vesting such that fifty
percent (50%) of the unvested portion of the Option shall be vested upon such
Change of Control. In addition, the unvested portion of the Option shall
continue to vest as otherwise provided in this Section 3. For purposes of this
Agreement, a "Change of Control" shall be deemed to have occurred if any of the
following conditions have occurred: (1) the merger or consolidation of the
Company with another entity, where the Company is not the surviving entity and
where after the merger or consolidation (i) its stockholders prior to the merger
or consolidation hold less than 50% of the voting stock of the surviving entity
and (ii) its Directors prior to the merger or consolidation are less than a
majority of the Board of the surviving entity; (2) the sale of all or
substantially all of the Company's assets to a third party and subsequent to the
transaction (i) its stockholders hold less than 50% of the stock of said third
party and (ii) its Directors are less than a majority of the Board of said third
party; or (3) a transaction or series of related transactions, including a
merger of the Company with another entity where the Company is the surviving
entity, whereby (i) 50% or more of the voting stock of the Company after the
transaction(s) is owned actually or beneficially by parties who held less than
thirty percent (30%) of the voting stock, actually or beneficially, prior to the
transaction(s) and (ii) its Board of Directors after the transaction(s) or
within 60 days thereof, is comprised of less than a majority of the Directors
serving prior to the transaction(s); provided, that in no event shall the
consummation of an initial public offering by the Company constitute a Change of
Control.

        4. Term of Options; Exercisability.

            (a) Term.

                (1) Each Option shall expire not more than ten (10) years from
the date of the granting thereof, but shall be subject to earlier termination as
herein provided.

                (2) Except as otherwise provided in this Section 4, if the
Employee ceases to be an employee of the Company, the Option granted to the
Employee hereunder shall terminate on the last day of the third month after the
date such Employee ceases to be an employee of the Company, or on the date on
which the Option expires by its terms, whichever occurs first.

                (3) If such termination of employment is because of dismissal
for cause or because the Employee is in breach of any employment agreement, such
Option will terminate on the date the Employee ceases to be an employee of the
Company.

                (4) If such termination of employment is because the Employee
has become permanently disabled (within the meaning of Section 22(e)(3) of the
Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the "Code")), such Option shall
terminate on the last day of the twelfth month from the date such Employee
ceases to be an employee, or on the date on which the Option expires by its
terms, whichever occurs first.

<PAGE>   15

                (5) In the event of the death of the Employee, the Option
granted to such Employee shall terminate on the last day of the twelfth month
from the date of death, or on the date on which the Option expires by its terms,
whichever occurs first.

            (b) Exercisability.

                (1) Except as provided below, if the Employee ceases to be an
employee of the Company, the Option granted to the Employee hereunder shall be
exercisable only to the extent that the right to purchase Shares under such
Option has accrued and is in effect on the date such Employee ceases to be an
employee of the Company. No partial exercise may be made for less than one
hundred (100) full Shares (or all such Shares, if fewer that 100).

                (2) If the Employee ceases to be an employee of the Company
because he or she has become permanently disabled, as defined above, the Option
granted to the Employee hereunder shall be exercisable only to the extent that
the right to purchase Shares under such Option has accrued and is in effect on
the date that such Employee ceases to be an employee of the Company.

                (3) In the event of the death of the Employee, the Option
granted to such Employee may be exercised only to the extent that the right to
purchase such Shares under such Option has accrued and is in effect on the date
of the death of the Employee, by the estate of such Employee, or by any person
or persons who acquired the right to exercise such Option by bequest or
inheritance or by reason of the death of such Employee.

        5. Manner of Exercise of Option.

            (a) To the extent that the right to exercise the Option has accrued
and is in effect, the Option may be exercised in full or in part by giving
written notice to the Company stating the number of Shares exercised and
accompanied by payment in full for such Shares. Payment may be either (i) wholly
in cash or certified check payable to the order of the Company, (ii) in whole or
in part in Shares already owned by the person exercising the Option, valued at
fair market value, or (iii) any combination of (i) and (ii), provided, however,
that payment of the exercise price by delivery of Shares owned by such optionee
may be made only if such payment does not result in a charge to earnings for
financial accounting purposes as determined by the Board of Directors. Upon such
exercise, delivery of a certificate for paid-up, non-assessable Shares shall be
made at the principal office of the Company to the person exercising the Option,
not more than thirty (30) days from the date of receipt of the notice by the
Company.

            (b) The Company shall at all times during the term of the Option
reserve and keep available such number of Shares as will be sufficient to
satisfy the requirements of the Option.

        6. Non-Transferability. The right of the Employee to exercise the Option
shall not be assignable or transferable by the Employee otherwise than by will
or the laws of descent and distribution, and the Option may be exercised during
the lifetime of the Employee only by him or

<PAGE>   16

her. The Option shall be null and void and without effect upon the bankruptcy of
the Employee or upon any attempted assignment or transfer, except as hereinabove
provided, including without limitation any purported assignment, whether
voluntary or by operation of law, pledge, hypothecation or other disposition,
attachment, divorce, trustee process or similar process, whether legal or
equitable, upon the Option.

        7. Representation Letter and Investment Legend.

            (a) In the event that for any reason the Shares to be issued upon
exercise of the Option shall not be effectively registered under the Securities
Act of 1933, as amended (the "1933 Act"), upon any date on which the Option is
exercised in whole or in part, the person exercising the Option shall give a
written representation to the Company in the form attached hereto as Exhibit 1
and the Company shall place an "investment legend", so-called, as described in
Exhibit 1, upon any certificate for the Shares issued by reason of such
exercise.

            (b) The Company shall be under no obligation to qualify Shares or to
cause a registration statement or a post-effective amendment to any registration
statement to be prepared for the purpose of covering the issue of Shares.

        8. Adjustments on Changes in Recapitalization, Re-organization and the
Like. Adjustments on changes in recapitalization, reorganization and the like
shall be made in accordance with Section 12 of the Plan, as in effect on the
date of this Agreement.

        9. No Special Employment Rights. Nothing contained in the Plan or this
Agreement shall be construed or deemed by any person under any circumstances to
bind the Company to continue the employment of the Employee for the period
within which this Option may be exercised. However, during the period of the
Employee's employment, the Employee shall render diligently and faithfully the
services which are assigned to the Employee from time to time by the Board of
Directors or by the executive officers of the Company and shall at no time take
any action which directly or indirectly would be inconsistent with the best
interests of the Company.

        10. Rights as a Stockholder. The Employee shall have no rights as a
stockholder with respect to any Shares which may be purchased by exercise of
this Option unless and until a certificate or certificates representing such
Shares are duly issued and delivered to the Employee upon due exercise of the
Option. Except as otherwise expressly provided in the Plan, no adjustment shall
be made for dividends or other rights for which the record date is prior to the
date such stock certificate is issued.

        11. Withholding Taxes. Whenever Shares are to be issued upon exercise of
this Option, the Company shall have the right to require the Employee to remit
to the Company an amount sufficient to satisfy all Federal, state and local
withholding tax requirements prior to the delivery of any certificate or
certificates for such Shares.

        12. Execution of Stockholders' Agreement. The Employee acknowledges that
the Option, and the Shares issuable upon the exercise thereof, are subject to
certain transfer restrictions,

<PAGE>   17
call provisions and other restrictions, as more fully set forth in that certain
Third Amended and Restated Stockholders Agreement dated September 15, 1999 among
the Company and its stockholders (the "Stockholders' Agreement"). The Employee
further acknowledges and agrees that the Option, and any exercise hereof, shall
not be effective unless and until the Employee shall have executed and delivered
to the Company a counterpart signature page to the Stockholders' Agreement
evidencing such Employee's agreement to be bound by the terms thereof.

        13. Qualification under Section 422. It is understood and intended that
the Option granted hereunder shall qualify as an "incentive stock option" as
defined in Section 422 of the Code. Accordingly, the Employee understands that
in order to obtain the benefits of an incentive stock option under Section 421
of the Code, no sale or other disposition may be made of any Shares acquired
upon exercise of the Option within the one-year period beginning on the day
after the day of the transfer of such Shares to him or her, nor within the
two-year period beginning on the day after the grant of the Option. If the
Employee intends to dispose or does dispose (whether by sale, gift, transfer or
otherwise) of any such Shares within said periods, he or she will notify the
Company within thirty (30) days after such disposition.

                  [Remainder of Page Intentionally Left Blank]

<PAGE>   18

        IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Company has caused this Agreement to be executed
and its corporate seal to be hereto affixed by its officer thereunto duly
authorized, and the Employee has hereunto set his or her hand and seal, all as
of the day and year set forth below.

                                                   ANDOVER.NET, INC.

                                            By:
                                               ---------------------------------
                                            Name:
                                            Title:

                                            EMPLOYEE:

                                            ------------------------------------
                                            Name:

                                            Address:

                                            Social Security No.:

                                            Number of Shares:

                                            Purchase Price Per Share:

                                            Grant Date:

<PAGE>   19

                                    EXHIBIT 1
                            TO STOCK OPTION AGREEMENT

        Andover.Net, Inc.
        50 Nagog Park
        Acton, MA  01720

        Gentlemen:

        In connection with the acquisition by me of shares of common stock, par
value $.01 per share (the "Shares"), of Andover.Net, Inc., a Delaware
corporation (the "Company"), I hereby represent to the Company as follows:

        (a) I hereby confirm that: (i) the Shares to be received by me will be
acquired for investment only, for my own account, not as a nominee or agent and
not with a view to the sale or distribution of any part thereof; and (ii) I have
no current intention of selling, granting participation in or otherwise
distributing the Shares. I further represent that I do not have any contract,
undertaking, agreement or arrangement with any person to sell, transfer or grant
participation to such person, or to any third person, with respect to any of the
Shares.

        (b) I understand that the Shares have not been registered under the
Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "1933 Act") on the basis that the
acquisition of the Shares by me and the issuance of securities by the Company to
me is exempt from registration under the 1933 Act and that the Company's
reliance on such exemption is predicated on my representations set forth herein.

        (c) I represent that I have, either alone or together with the
assistance of a "purchaser representative" (as that term is defined in
Regulation D promulgated under the 1933 Act), such knowledge and experience in
financial and business matters as to be capable of evaluating the merits and
risks of my investment in the Company. I further represent that I am familiar
with the business and financial condition, properties, operations and prospects
of the Company. I further represent that I have had, prior to my acquisition of
the Shares, the opportunity to ask questions of, and receive answers from, the
Company concerning the terms and conditions of the issuance and to obtain
information (to the extent the Company possessed such information or could
acquire it without unreasonable effort or expense) necessary to verify the
accuracy of any information furnished to me or to which I have had access. I am
satisfied that there is no material information concerning the condition,
properties, operations and prospects of the Company of which I am unaware. I
have made, either alone or together with my advisors, such independent
investigation of the Company as I deem to be, or my advisors deem to be,
necessary or advisable in connection with this investment.

<PAGE>   20

        (d) I understand that the Shares may not be sold, transferred or
otherwise disposed of without registration under the 1933 Act and applicable
state securities laws, or an exemption therefrom, and that in the absence of an
effective registration statement covering the Shares or an available exemption
from registration under the 1933 Act or applicable state securities laws, the
Shares must be held indefinitely. In particular, I acknowledge that I am aware
that the Shares may not be sold pursuant to Rule 144 promulgated under the 1933
Act unless all of the conditions of that Rule are met. Among the current
conditions for use of Rule 144 by certain holders is the availability to the
public of current information about the Company. Such information is not now
available, and the Company has no current plans to make such information
available. I represent that, in the absence of an effective registration
statement covering the Shares, I will not sell, transfer or otherwise dispose of
the Shares.

        (e) I represent that I (i) am capable of bearing the economic risk of
holding the unregistered Shares for an indefinite period of time and have
adequate means for providing for my current needs and contingencies, (ii) can
afford to suffer a complete loss of my investment in the Shares, and (iii)
understand and have taken cognizance of all risk factors related to the
acquisition of the Shares.

        (f) I understand that the acquisition of the Shares involves a high
degree of risk and there will be no established market for the Company's capital
stock and it is not likely that any public market for such stock will develop in
the near future.

        (g) I represent that neither I nor anyone acting on my behalf has paid
any commission or other remuneration to any person in connection with the
acquisition of the Shares.

        (h) Independent of the additional restrictions on the transfer of the
Shares contained herein, I agree that I will not make a transfer, disposition or
pledge of any of the Shares other than pursuant to an effective registration
statement under the 1933 Act and applicable state securities laws, unless and
until: (i) I shall have notified the Company of the proposed disposition and
shall have furnished the Company with a statement of the circumstances
surrounding the disposition and (ii) if requested by the Company and at my
expense or at the expense of my transferee, I shall have furnished to the
Company an opinion of counsel, reasonably satisfactory (as to counsel and as to
substance) to the Company and its counsel, to the effect that such transfer may
be made without registration of the Shares under the 1933 Act, and applicable
state securities laws.

        (i) I acknowledge that all certificates evidencing the Shares shall bear
the following legend:

                              "TRANSFER RESTRICTED

               These securities have not been registered under the Securities
               Act of 1933, as amended, and may not be sold, offered for sale,
               pledged or hypothecated in the absence of an effective
               registration statement as to the securities under said Act, or an
               opinion of counsel satisfactory to the Company and its counsel
               that such registration is not required."

<PAGE>   21

        (j) The certificates evidencing the Shares shall also bear any legend
required by any stockholders or other similar agreement which I am required to
sign as a condition to the issuance of the Shares and any applicable state
securities law.

        (k) In addition, the Company shall make a notation regarding the
restrictions on transfer of the Shares in its stock books, and the Shares shall
be transferred on the books of the Company only if transferred or sold pursuant
to an effective registration statement under the 1933 Act and applicable state
securities laws covering such Shares or pursuant to and in compliance with the
provisions of the Stockholders' Agreement referenced above. A copy of this
Agreement, together with any amendments thereto, shall remain on file with the
Secretary of the Company and shall be available for inspection to any properly
interested person without charge within five (5) days after the Company's
receipt of a written request therefor.

                                Very truly yours,<PAGE>   1

                                                                     EXHIBIT 4.2

                       ANDOVER ADVANCED TECHNOLOGIES, INC.

                                 1995 STOCK PLAN

            1. Purpose. This 1995 Stock Plan (the "Plan") is intended to provide
incentives: (a) to the officers and other employees of ANDOVER ADVANCED
TECHNOLOGIES, INC. (the "Company"), its parent (if any) and any present or
future subsidiaries of the Company (collectively, "Related Corporations") by
providing them with opportunities to purchase stock in the Company pursuant to
options granted hereunder which qualify as "incentive stock options" under
Section 422(b) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the "Code")
("ISO" or "ISOs"); (b) to directors, officers, employees and consultants of the
Company and Related Corporations by providing them with opportunities to
purchase stock in the Company pursuant to options granted hereunder which do not
qualify as ISOs ("Non-Qualified Option" or "Non-Qualified Options"); (c) to
directors, officers, employees and consultants of the Company and Related
Corporations by providing them with awards of stock in the Company ("Awards");
and (d) to directors, officers, employees and consultants of the Company and
Related Corporations by providing them with opportunities to make direct
purchases of stock in the Company ("Purchases"). Both ISOs and Non-Qualified
Options are referred to hereafter individually as an "Option" and collectively
as "Options". Options, Awards and authorizations to make Purchases are referred
to hereafter collectively as "Stock Rights". As used herein, the terms "parent"
and "subsidiary" mean "parent corporation" and "subsidiary corporation",
respectively, as those terms are defined in Section 425 of the Code.

            2. Administration of the Plan.

            A. The Plan shall be administered by the Board of Directors of the
Company (the "Board"). Members of the Board who are either (i) eligible for
Stock Rights pursuant to the Plan or (ii) have been granted Stock Rights may
vote on any matters affecting the administration of the Plan or the grant of any
Stock Rights pursuant to the Plan, except that no such member shall act upon the
granting to himself of Stock Rights, but any such member may be counted in
determining the existence of a quorum at any meeting of the Board during which
action is taken with respect to the granting to him of Stock Rights. All
references in the Plan to the Committee shall mean the Board if no Committee has
been appointed pursuant to subparagraphs B or C of this Section 2 below.

            B. The Board may delegate its powers with respect to the
administration of the Plan to a compensation committee (the "Committee")
appointed by the Board, provided that such Committee shall be composed pursuant
to subparagraph C below if the Company registers any class of any equity
security pursuant to Section 12 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as
amended (the "Exchange Act"). The Committee may select one of its members as its
chairman, and shall hold meetings at such time and places as it may determine.
Acts by a majority of the Committee, or acts reduced to or approved in writing
by a majority of the members of the Committee, shall be the valid acts of the
Committee. From time to time the Board may increase or decrease the size of the
Committee and appoint additional members thereof, remove members (with or
without cause) and appoint new members in substitution therefor, fill vacancies
however caused, or remove all members of the Committee and thereafter directly
administer the Plan.

<PAGE>   2

            C. Notwithstanding the foregoing, if the Company registers any class
of any equity security pursuant to Section 12 of the Exchange Act, the Plan
shall be administered by the Committee (unless and until its members are not
qualified to serve on the Committee pursuant to the provisions of the Plan)
which shall be composed of not fewer than two (2) members of the Board who shall
be appointed from time to time by the Board. No member of such Committee may
exercise discretion with respect to, or participate in, the administration of
the Plan if, at any time, while a member of the Committee or during the twelve
(12)-month period prior to such exercise or participation, he has been granted
or awarded Stock Rights or any other derivative security of the Company or any
of its affiliate under this Plan or any similar plan of the Company, except
that:

            (a) participation in a "Formula Plan" shall not disqualify a
director from being a disinterested person. A Formula Plan is a plan which:

               (i) permits officers and/or directors to receive awards and
               either (A) states the amount and price of securities to be
               awarded to designated officers and directors or categories of
               officers and directors, though not necessarily to others who may
               participate in the plan, and specifies the time of awards to
               officers and directors or (B) sets forth a formula that
               determines the amount, price and timing of awards, using
               objective criteria such as earnings of the Company, value of the
               securities, years of service, job classification, and
               compensation levels; and

               (ii) provides that these plan provisions shall not be amended
               more than once every six (6) months, other than to comport with
               changes in the Code, the Employee Retirement Income Security Act
               ("ERISA"), or the rules thereunder;

            (b) participation in an ongoing securities acquisition plan which
meets the following conditions shall not disqualify a director from being a
disinterested person:

               (i) the plan provides for broad-based employee participation and
               the terms of the plan do not discriminate in favor of highly
               compensated employees;

               (ii) officer or director participants making withdrawals must
               cease further purchases in the plan for six (6) months, or the
               securities so distributed must be held by the participant six (6)
               months prior to disposition; provided, however, that
               extraordinary distributions of all of the Company's securities
               held by the plan and distributions in connection with death,
               retirement, disability, termination of employment, or a qualified
               domestic relations order as defined by the Code or Title I of
               ERISA, or the rules thereunder, are not subject to this
               requirement;

               (iii) officer or director participants who cease participation in
               the plan may not participate again for at least six (6) months;
               and

<PAGE>   3

               (iv) for stock purchase plans under Section 423 of the Internal
               Revenue Code or similar plans, where the purchase price of the
               stock is not fixed and the participant is not obligated to
               purchase the stock until exercise of a right, in addition to the
               foregoing conditions, the stock acquired is held for six (6)
               months from the date the stock purchase price is fixed.

            (c) an election to receive an annual retainer fee in either cash or
an equivalent amount of securities, or partly in cash and partly in securities,
shall not disqualify a director from being a disinterested person; and

            (d) participation in a plan shall not disqualify a director from
being a disinterested person for the purpose of administering another plan that
does not permit participation by directors.

                Members of the Committee shall be subject to any additional
restrictions necessary to satisfy the requirements for disinterested
administration of the Plan as set forth in Rule 16b-3 under the Exchange Act, as
it may be amended from time to time. If at any time any member of the Committee
does not satisfy such disinterested administration requirements, no stock
options shall be granted under the Plan to any director or officer until such
time as all members of the Committee satisfy such requirements.

                D. Subject to ratification of the grant or authorization of each
Stock Right by the Board (if so required by applicable state law), and subject
to the terms of the Plan, the Committee, if so appointed, shall have the
authority to (i) determine the employees of the Company and Related Corporations
(from among the class of employees eligible under paragraph 3 to receive ISOs)
to whom ISOs may be granted, and to determine (from among the class of
individuals and entities eligible under paragraph 3 to receive Non-Qualified
Options and Awards and to make Purchases) to whom Non-Qualified Options, awards
and authorizations to make Purchases may be granted; (ii) determine the time or
times at which Options or Awards may be granted or Purchases made; (iii)
determine the option price of shares subject to each Option, which price shall
not be less than the minimum price of shares subject to each Purchase; (iv)
determine whether each Option granted shall be an ISO or a Non-Qualified Option;
(v) determine (subject to paragraph 7) the time or times when each Option shall
become exercisable and the duration of the exercise period; (vi) determine
whether restrictions such as repurchase options are to be imposed on shares
subject to Options, Awards and Purchases and the nature of such restrictions, if
any; and (vii) interpret the Plan and prescribe and rescind rules and
regulations relating to it. If the Committee determines to issue a Non-Qualified
Option, it shall take whatever actions it deems necessary, under Section 422 of
the Code and the regulations promulgated thereunder, to ensure that such Option
is not treated as an ISO. The interpretation and construction by the Committee
of any provisions of the Plan or of any Stock Right granted under it shall be
final unless otherwise determined by the Board. The Committee may from time to
time adopt such rules and regulations for carrying out the Plan as it may deem
best. No member of the Board or the Committee shall be liable for any action or
determination made in good faith with respect to the Plan or any Stock Right
granted under it.

                3. Eligible Employees and Others. ISOs may be granted to any
employee of the Company or any Related Corporation. Those officers and directors
of the Company who are not employees may not be granted ISOs under the Plan.
Non-Qualified Options, Awards and authorizations to make Purchases may be
granted to any director (whether or not an employee), officer, employee or
consultant of the Company or any Related Corporation. The granting

<PAGE>   4

of any Stock Right to any individual or entity shall neither entitle that
individual or entity to, nor disqualify him from, participation in any other
grant of Stock Rights.

                4. Stock. The stock subject to Options, Awards and Purchases
shall be authorized but unissued shares of Common Stock of the Company, no par
value per share (the "Common Stock"), or shares of Common Stock reacquired by
the Company in any manner. The aggregate number of shares which may be issued
pursuant to the Plan is Twelve Thousand Two Hundred and Fifty (12,250), subject
to adjustment as provided in paragraph 13. Any such shares may be issued as
ISOs, Non-Qualified Options or Awards, or to persons or entities making
Purchases, so long as the number of shares so issued does not exceed such
number, as adjusted. If any Option granted under the Plan shall expire or
terminate for any reason without having been exercisable in whole or in part, or
if the Company shall reacquire any vested shares issued pursuant to Awards or
Purchases, the unpurchased shares subject to such Options and any unvested
shares so reacquired by the Company shall again be available for grants of Stock
Rights under the Plan.

                5. Granting of Stock Rights. Stock Rights may be granted under
the Plan at any time after October 12, 1995 and prior to October 12, 2005. The
date of grant of a Stock Right under the Plan will be the date specified by the
Committee at the time it grants the Stock Right; provided, however, that such
date shall not be prior to the date on which the Committee acts to approve the
grant. The Committee shall have the right, with the consent of the optionee, to
convert any ISO granted under the Plan to a Non-Qualified Option pursuant to
paragraph 16.

                6. Minimum Option Price; ISO Limitations.

                A. The price per share specified in the agreement relating to
each ISO granted under the Plan shall not be less than the fair market value per
share of Common Stock on the date of such grant. In the case of an ISO to be
granted to an employee owning stock possessing more than ten percent (10%) of
the total combined voting power of all classes of stock of the Company or any
Related Corporation, the price per share specified in the agreement relating to
such ISO shall not be less than one hundred ten percent (110%) of the fair
market value per share of Common Stock on the date of grant.

                B. In no event shall the aggregate fair market value (determined
at the time an ISO is granted) of Common Stock for which ISOs granted to any
employee are exercisable for the first time by such employee during any calendar
year (under all stock option plans of the Company and any Related Corporation)
exceed $100,000; provided that this paragraph 6(B) shall have no force or effect
if its inclusion in the Plan is not necessary for Options issued as ISOs to
qualify as ISOs pursuant to Section 422(d) of the Code.

                C. If, at the time an Option is granted under the Plan, the
Company's Common Stock is publicly traded, "fair market value" shall be
determined as of the last business day for which the prices or quotes discussed
in this sentence are available prior to the date such Option is granted and
shall mean (i) the average (on that date) of the high and low prices of the
Common Stock on the principal national securities exchange on which the Common
Stock is traded, if the Common Stock is then traded on a national securities
exchange; or (ii) the last reported sale price (on that date) of the Common
Stock on the NASDAQ National Market List, if the Common Stock is not then traded
on a national securities exchange; or (iii) the closing bid price (or average of
bid prices) last quoted (on that date) by an established

<PAGE>   5

quotation service for over-the-counter securities, if the Common Stock is not
reported on the NASDAQ National Market List. However, if the Common Stock is not
publicly traded at the time an Option is granted under the Plan, "fair market
value" shall be deemed to be the fair value of the Common Stock as determined by
the Committee after taking into consideration all factors which it deems
appropriate, including, without limitation, recent sale and offer prices of the
Common Stock in private transactions negotiated at arm's length.

                7. Option Duration. Subject to earlier termination as provided
in paragraphs 9 and 10, each Option shall expire on the date specified by the
Committee, but not more than (i) ten (10) years and one day from the date of
grant in the case of Non-Qualified Options, (ii) ten (10) years from the date of
grant in the case of ISOs generally, and (iii) five (5) years from the date of
grant in the case of ISOs granted to an employee owning stock possessing more
than ten percent (10%) of the total combined voting power of all classes of
stock of the Company or any Related Corporation. Subject to earlier termination
as provided in paragraphs 9 and 10, the term of each ISO shall be the term set
forth in the original instrument granting such ISO, except with respect to any
part of such ISO that is converted into a Non-Qualified Option pursuant to
paragraph 16.

                8. Exercise of Option. Subject to the provisions of paragraphs 9
through 12, each Option granted under the Plan shall be exercisable as follows:

                A. The Option shall either be fully exercisable on the date of
grant or shall become exercisable thereafter in such installments as the
Committee may specify.

                B. Once an installment becomes exercisable it shall remain
exercisable until expiration or termination of the Option, unless otherwise
specified by the Committee.

                C. Each Option or installment may be exercised at any time or
from time to time, in whole or in part, for up to the total number of shares
with respect to which it is then exercisable.

                D. The Committee shall have the right to accelerate the date of
exercise of any installment of any Option; provided that the Committee shall not
accelerate the exercise date of any installment of any Option granted to any
employee as an ISO (and not previously converted into a Non-Qualified Option
pursuant to paragraph 16) if such acceleration would violate the annual vesting
limitation contained in Section 422(d) of the Code, as described in paragraph
6(C).

                9. Termination of Employment. If an ISO optionee ceases to be
employed by the Company and all Related Corporations other than by reason of
death or disability as defined in paragraph 10, no further installments of his
ISOs shall become exercisable, and his ISOs shall terminate after the passage of
sixty (60) days, from the date of termination of his employment, but in no event
later than on their specified expiration dates, except to the extent that such
ISOs (or unexercised installments thereof) have been converted into
Non-Qualified Options pursuant to paragraph 16. Employment shall be considered
as continuing uninterrupted during a bona fide leave of absence (such as those

<PAGE>   6

attributable to illness, military obligations or governmental service) provided
that the period of such leave does not exceed ninety (90) days or, if longer,
any period during which such optionee's right to reemployment is guaranteed by
statute. A bona fide leave of absence with the written approval of the Committee
shall not be considered an interruption of employment under the Plan, provided
that such written approval contractually obligates the Company or any Related
Corporation to continue the employment of the optionee after the approved period
of absence. ISOs granted under the Plan shall not be affected by any change of
employment within or among the Company and Related Corporations, so long as the
optionee continues to be an employee of the Company or any Related Corporation.
Nothing in the Plan shall be deemed to give any grantee of any Stock Right the
right to be retained in employment or other service by the Company or any
Related Corporation for any period of time.

                10. Death; Disability.

                A. If an ISO optionee ceases to be employed by the Company and
all Related Corporations by reason of his death, any ISO of his may be
exercised, to the extent of the number or shares with respect to which he could
have exercised it on his death, by his estate, personal representative or
beneficiary who has acquired the ISO by will or by the laws of descent and
distribution, at any time prior to the earlier of the ISO's specified expiration
date or 180 days from the date of the optionee's death.

                B. If an ISO optionee ceases to be reemployed by the Company and
all Related Corporations by reason of his disability, he shall have the right to
exercise any ISO held by him on the date of termination of employment, to the
extent of the number of shares with respect to which he could have exercised it
on that date, at any time prior to the earlier of the ISO's specified expiration
date or 180 days from the date of the termination of the optionee's employment.
For the purposes of the Plan, the term "disability" shall mean "permanent and
total disability" as defined in Section 22(e)(3) of the Code or successor
statute.

                11. Assignability. No Stock Right shall be assignable or
transferable by the grantee except by will or by the laws of descent and
distribution, and during the lifetime of the grantee each Stock Right shall be
exercisable only by him.

                12. Terms and Conditions of Options. Options shall be evidenced
by instruments (which need not be identical) in such forms as the Committee may
from time to time approve. Such instruments shall conform to the terms and
conditions set forth in paragraphs 6 through 11 hereof and may contain such
other provisions as the Committee deems advisable which are not inconsistent
with the Plan, including restrictions applicable to shares of Common Stock
issuable upon exercise of Options. In granting any Non-Qualified Option, the
Committee may specify that such Non-Qualified Option shall be subject to the
restrictions set forth herein with respect to ISOs, or to such other termination
and cancellation provisions as the Committee may determine. The Committee may
from time to time confer authority and responsibility on one or more of its own
members and/or one or more officers of the Company to execute and deliver such
instruments. The proper officers of the Company are authorized and directed to
take any and all action necessary or advisable from time to time to carry out
the terms of such instruments.

<PAGE>   7

                13. Adjustments. Upon the occurrence of any of the following
events, an optionee's rights with respect to Options granted to him hereunder
shall be adjusted as hereinafter provided, unless otherwise specifically
provided in the written agreement between the optionee and the Company relating
to such Option:

                A. If the shares of Common Stock shall be subdivided or combined
into a greater or smaller number of shares or if the Company shall issue any
shares of Common Stock as a stock dividend on its outstanding Common Stock, the
number of shares of Common Stock deliverable upon the exercise of Options shall
be appropriately increased or decreased proportionately, and appropriate
adjustments shall be made in the purchase price per share to reflect such
subdivision, combination or stock dividend.

                B. If the Company is to be consolidated with or acquired by
another entity in a merger, sale of all or substantially all of the Company's
assets or otherwise (an "Acquisition"), the Committee or the Board of Directors
of any entity assuming the obligations of the Company hereunder (the "Successor
Board"), shall, as to outstanding Options either (i) make appropriate provision
for the continuation of such Options by substituting on an equitable basis for
the shares then subject to such Options the consideration payable with respect
to the outstanding shares of Common Stock in connection with the Acquisition; or
(ii) upon written notice to the optionee, provide that all Options must be
exercised, to the extent then exercisable, within a specified number of days of
the date of such notice, at the end of which period the Options shall terminate;
or (iii) terminate all Options in exchange for a cash payment equal to the
excess of the fair market value of the shares subject to such Options (to the
extent then exercisable) over the exercise price thereof.

                C. In the event of recapitalization or reorganization of the
Company (other than a transaction described in subparagraph B above) pursuant to
which securities of the Company or of another corporation are issued with
respect to the outstanding shares of Common Stock, an optionee upon exercising
an Option shall be entitled to receive for the purchase price paid upon such
exercise the securities he would have received if he had exercised his Option
prior to such recapitalization or reorganization.

                D. Notwithstanding the foregoing, any adjustments made pursuant
to subparagraphs A, B or C with respect to ISOs shall be made only after the
Committee, after consulting with counsel for the Company, determines whether
such adjustments would constitute a "modification" of such ISOs (as that term is
defined in Section 425 of the Code) or would cause any adverse tax consequences
for the holders of such ISOs. If the Committee determines that such adjustments
made with respect to ISOs would constitute a modification of such ISOs, it may
refrain from making such adjustments.

                E. In the event of the proposed dissolution or liquidation of
the Company, each Option will terminate immediately prior to the consummation of
such proposed action or at such other time and subject to such other conditions
as shall be determined by the Committee.

                F. Except as expressly provided herein, no issuance by the
Company of shares of stock of any class, or securities convertible into shares
of stock of any class, shall affect, and no adjustment by reason thereof shall
be made with respect to, the number or price of shares subject to Options. No
adjustments shall be made for dividends paid in cash or in property other than
securities of the Company.

<PAGE>   8

                G. No fractional shares shall be issued under the Plan and the
optionee shall receive from the Company cash in lieu of such fractional shares.

                H. Upon the happening of any of the foregoing events described
in subparagraphs A, B or C above, the class and aggregate number of shares set
forth in paragraph 4 hereof that are subject to Stock Rights which previously
have been or subsequently may be granted under the Plan shall also be
appropriately adjusted to reflect the events described in such subparagraphs.
The Committee or the Successor Board shall determine the specific adjustments to
be made under this paragraph 13 and, subject to paragraph 2, its determination
shall be conclusive.

        If any person or entity owning restricted Common Stock obtained by
exercise of a Stock Right made hereunder receives shares or securities or cash
in connection with a corporate transaction described in subparagraphs A, B or C
above as a result of owning such restricted Common Stock, such shares or
securities or cash shall be subject to all of the conditions and restrictions
applicable to the restricted Common Stock with respect to which such shares or
securities or cash were issued, unless otherwise determined by the Committee or
the Successor Board.

            14. Means of Exercising Stock Rights. A Stock Right (or any part or
installment thereof) shall be exercised by giving written notice to the Company
at its principal office address. Such notice shall identify the Stock Right
being exercised and specify the number of shares as to which such Stock Right is
being exercised, accompanies by full payment of the purchase price therefor
either (a) in the United States dollars in cash or by check, or (b) at the
discretion of the Committee, through delivery of shares of Common Stock having a
fair market value equal as of the date of the exercise to the cash exercise
price of the Stock Right, or (c) at the discretion of the Committee, by delivery
oft he grantee's personal recourse note bearing interest payable not less than
annually at no less than 100% of the lowest applicable Federal rate, as defined
in Section 1274(d) of the Code, or (d) at the discretion of the Committee, by
any combination of (a), (b) and (c) above. If the Committee exercises its
discretion to permit payment of the exercise price of an ISO by means of the
methods set forth in clauses (b), (c), or (d) of the preceding sentence, such
discretion shall be exercised in writing at the time of the grant of the ISO in
question. The holder of a Stock Right shall not have the rights of a stockholder
with respect to the shares covered by his Option until the date of issuance of a
stock certificate to him for such shares. Except as expressly provided above in
paragraph 13 with respect to changes in capitalization and stock dividends, no
adjustment shall be made for dividends or similar rights for which the record
date is before the date such stock certificate is issued.

            15. Terms and Amendment of Plan. This Plan was adopted by the Board
and stockholders on October 12, 1995. Any Stock Rights granted prior to such
stockholder approval shall become null and void if such stockholder approval is
not obtained. The Plan shall expire on October 12, 2005; provided, however, that
the Plan and all Stock Rights granted under the Plan prior to such date shall
remain in effect and subject to adjustment and amendment as herein provided
until they have been satisfied or terminated in accordance with the terms of the
respective grants or awards and the related option instruments. The Board may
terminate or amend the Plan in any respect at any time without the authorization
of stockholders to the extent allowed by law, including without limitation any
rules issued by the Securities and Exchange Commission under Section 16 of the
Exchange Act, except that, unless approved by the stockholders, it may not: (a)
increase the total number of shares that may be issued under the Plan (except by
adjustment pursuant to paragraph 13); (b) modify the provisions of paragraph 3
regarding eligibility for grants of ISOs; (c) modify the provisions of paragraph
6(B) regarding the exercise price at which shares may be offered pursuant to
ISOs (except by adjustment pursuant to paragraph 13); and (d) extend the
expiration date of the Plan. In no event may action of the Board

<PAGE>   9

or stockholders alter or impair the rights of a grantee, without his consent,
under any Stock Right previously granted to him.

                16. Conversion of ISOs into Non-Qualified Options; Termination
of ISOs. The Committee, at the written request of any optionee, may in its
discretion take such actions as may be necessary to convert such optionee's
ISO's for any installment or portions of installments thereof) that have not
been exercised on the date of conversion into Non-Qualified Options at any time
prior to the expiration of such ISOs, regardless of whether the optionee is an
employee of the Company or a Related Corporation at the time of such conversion.
Such actions may include, but are not limited to, extending the exercise period
or reducing the exercise price of the appropriate installments of such Options.
At the time of such conversion, the Committee (with the consent of the Optionee)
may impose such conditions on the exercise of the resulting Non-Qualified
Options as the Committee in its discretion may determine, provided that such
conditions shall not be inconsistent with this Plan. Nothing in the Plan shall
be deemed to give any optionee the right to have such optionee's ISOs converted
into Non-Qualified Options, and no such conversion shall occur until and unless
the Committee takes appropriate action. The Committee, with the consent of the
optionee, may also terminate any portion of any ISO that has not been exercised
at the time of such termination.

                17. Application of Funds. The proceeds received by the company
from the sale of shares pursuant to Options granted and Purchases authorized
under the Plan shall be used for general corporate purposes.

                18. Governmental Regulation. The Company's obligation to sell
and deliver shares of the Common Stock under this Plan is subject to the
approval of any governmental authority required in connection with the
authorization, issuance or sale of such shares.

                19. Withholding of Additional Income Taxes. Upon the exercise of
a Non-Qualified Option, the grant of an award, the making of a Purchase of
Common Stock for less than its fair market value, the making of a Disqualifying
Disposition (as defined in paragraph 20) or the vesting of restricted Common
Stock acquired on the exercise of a Stock Right hereunder, the Company, in
accordance with Section 3402(a) of the Code, may require the optionee, Award
recipient or purchaser to pay additional withholding taxes in respect of the
amount that is considered compensation includible in such person's gross income.
The Committee in its discretion may condition (i) the exercise of an Option,
(ii) the grant of an Award, (iii) the making of a Purchase of Common Stock for
less than its fair market value, or (iv) the vesting of restricted Common Stock
acquired by exercising a Stock Right on the grantee's payment of such additional
withholding taxes.

                20. Notice to Company of Disqualified Disposition. Each employee
who receives an ISO must agree to notify the Company in writing immediately
after the employee makes a Disqualifying Disposition of any Common Stock
acquired pursuant to the exercise of an ISO. A Disqualifying Disposition is any
disposition (including any sale) of such Common Stock before the later of (a)
two (2) years after the date the employee was granted the ISO or (b) one (1)
year after the date the employee has died before such stock is sold, these
holding period requirements do not apply and no Disqualifying Disposition can
occur thereafter.

<PAGE>   10

                21. Governing Law; Construction. The validity and construction
of the Plan and the instruments evidencing Stock Rights shall be governed by the
laws of The Commonwealth of Massachusetts. In construing this Plan, the singular
shall include the plural and the masculine gender shall include the feminine and
neuter, unless the context otherwise requires.

AMENDMENT NO. 1 TO 1995 STOCK OPTION PLAN

        In accordance with the provisions of Section 15 of the Andover Advanced
Technologies, Inc. 1995 Stock Option Plan, the Plan is hereby amended as
follows:

            1. Section 4 of the Plan is hereby amended by increasing the number
of shares subject to the Plan from 12,250 shares to 32,250 shares of the no par
value common stock of the Corporation.

            2. This amendment shall take effect as of the date of its adoption
by the Andover Advanced Technologies, Inc. Board of Directors and upon its
approval by the stockholders of Andover Advanced Technologies, Inc. in
accordance with Section 15 of the Plan.

            3. Executed as herein above provided, the Plan is hereby ratified
and confirmed in all respects.

            Adopted by the Board of Directors and Stockholders July 31, 1996

AMENDMENT NO. 2 TO 1995 STOCK OPTION PLAN

        In accordance with the provisions of Section 15 of the Andover Advanced
Technologies, Inc. 1995 Stock Option Plan, the Plan is hereby amended as
follows:

            1. Section 4 of the Plan is hereby amended by increasing the number
of shares subject to the Plan from 32,250 shares to 50,000 shares of the no par
value common stock of the Corporation.

            2. This amendment shall take effect as of the date of its adoption
by the Andover Advanced Technologies, Inc. Board of Directors and upon its
approval by the stockholders of Andover Advanced Technologies, Inc. in
accordance with Section 15 of the Plan.

            3. Executed as herein above provided, the Plan is hereby ratified
and confirmed in all respects.

        Adopted by the Board of Directors and Stockholders June 24, 1997

AMENDMENT NO. 3 TO 1995 STOCK OPTION PLAN

        In accordance with the provisions of Section 15 of the Andover Advanced
Technologies, Inc. 1995 Stock Option Plan, the Plan is hereby amended as
follows:

<PAGE>   11

            1. Section 4 of the Plan is hereby amended by increasing the number
of shares subject to the Plan from 50,000 shares to 75,000 shares of the no par
value common stock of the Corporation.

            2. This amendment shall take effect as of the date of its adoption
by the Andover Advanced Technologies, Inc. Board of Directors and upon its
approval by the stockholders of Andover Advanced Technologies, Inc. in
accordance with Section 15 of the Plan.

            3. Executed as herein above provided, the Plan is hereby ratified
and confirmed in all respects.

        Adopted by the Board of Directors and Stockholders November 12, 1998

<PAGE>   12

                      Non-Qualified Stock Option Agreement

Andover Advanced Technologies, Inc., a Massachusetts corporation (the
"Company"), hereby grants this 15 day of July 1999, to ------- (the "Optionee")
an option to purchase a maximum of ------- shares of its Common Stock, no par
value, at the price of ----- per share, on the following terms and conditions:

1. Grant Under 1995 Stock Plan. This option is granted pursuant to and is
governed by the Company's 1995 Stock Plan (the "Plan") and, unless the context
otherwise requires, terms used herein shall have the same meaning as in the
Plan. Determinations made in connection with this option pursuant to the Plan
shall be governed by the Plan as it exists on this date.

2. Grant as Non-Qualified Option; Other Options. This option is intended to be a
Non-Qualified Option (rather than an incentive stock option), and the Board of
Directors intends to take appropriate action, if necessary, to achieve this
result. This option is in addition to any other options heretofore or hereafter
granted to the Optionee by the Company, but a duplicate original of this
instrument shall not effect the grant of another option.

3. Extent of Option if Business Relationship Continues. If the Optionee has
continued to serve the Company or any Related Corporation in the capacity of an
employee, officer, director or consultant (such service is described herein as
maintaining or being involved in a "Business Relationship" with the Company) on
the following dates, the Optionee may exercise this option for the number of
shares set opposite the applicable date:

        The 15th day of July, 1999                  x shares

        The 15th day of each month thereafter,

        through and including July 10, 2003        an additional y shares

The foregoing rights are cumulative and, while the Optionee continues to
maintain a Business Relationship with the Company, may be exercised up to and
including the date which is ten years from the date this option is granted. All
of the foregoing rights are subject to Articles 4 and 5, as appropriate, if the
Optionee ceases to maintain a Business Relationship with the company or dies,
becomes disabled or undergoes dissolution while involved in a Business
Relationship with the Company.

4. Termination of Business Relationship. If the Optionee ceases to maintain a
Business Relationship with the Company, other than by reason of death or
disability as defined in Article 5, no further installments of this option shall
become exercisable and this option shall terminate after the passage of sixty
(60) days from the date the Business Relationship ceases, but in no event later
than the scheduled expiration date. In such a case, the Optionee's only rights
hereunder shall be those which are properly exercised before the termination of
this option.

5. Death; Disability; Dissolution. If the Optionee is a natural person who dies
while involved in a Business Relationship with the Company, this option may be
exercised, to the extent of the number of

<PAGE>   13

shares with respect to which the Optionee could have exercised it on the date of
his death, by his estate, personal representative or beneficiary to whom this
option has been assigned pursuant to Article 10, at any time within 180 days
after the date of death, but not later than the scheduled expiration date. If
the Optionee is a natural person whose Business Relationship with the Company is
terminated by reason of his disability (as defined in the Plan), this option may
be exercised, to the extent of the number of shares with respect to which the
Optionee could have exercised it on the date the Business Relationship was
terminated, at any time within 180 days after the date of such termination, but
not later than the scheduled expiration date. At the expiration of such 180-day
period or the scheduled expiration date, whichever is the earlier, this option
shall terminate and the only rights hereunder shall be those as to which the
option was properly exercised before such termination. If the Optionee is a
corporation, partnership, trust or other entity that is dissolved, liquidated,
becomes insolvent or enters into a merger or acquisition with respect to which
such optionee is not the surviving entity at the time when such entity is
involved in a Business Relationship with the Company, this Option shall
immediately terminate as of the date of such event, and the only rights
hereunder shall be those as to which this option was properly exercised before
such dissolution or other event.

6. Partial Exercise. Exercise of this option up to the extent above stated may
be made in part at any time and from time to time within the above limits,
except that this option may not be exercised for a fraction of a share unless
such exercise is with respect to the final installment of stock subject to this
option and a fractional share (or cash in lieu thereof) must be issued to permit
the Optionee to exercise completely such final installment. Any fractional share
with respect to which an installment of this option cannot be exercised because
of the limitation contained in the preceding sentence shall remain subject to
this option and shall be available for later purchase by the Optionee in
accordance with the terms hereof.

7. Payment of Price. The option price is payable in United States dollars and
may be paid:

(a) in cash or by check, or any combination of the foregoing, equal in amount to
the option price; or (b) in the discretion of the Board of Directors, in cash,
by check, by delivery of shares of the Company's Common Stock having a fair
market value (as determined by the Board of Directors) equal in amount to the
option price; or (c) in the discretion of the Board of Directors, in cash, by
check, by delivery of shares of the Company's Common Stock having an aggregate
fair market value (as determined by the Board of Directors) equal as of the date
of exercise to the option price, by delivery of the Optionee's personal recourse
note bearing interest payable not less than annually at no less than 100% of the
lowest applicable Federal rate, as defined in Section 1274(d) of the Code, or by
any combination of the foregoing, equal in amount to the option price.

If the Optionee delivers Common Stock held by the Optionee (the "Old Stock") to
the Company in full or partial payment of the option price, and the Old Stock so
delivered is subject to restrictions or limitations imposed by agreement between
the Optionee and the Company, the Common Stock received by the Optionee on the
exercise of this option shall be subject to all restrictions and limitations
applicable to the Old Stock to the extent that the Optionee paid for such Common
Stock by delivery of Old Stock, in addition to any restriction or limitations
imposed by this agreement.

8. Agreement to Purchase for Investment. By acceptance of this option, the
Optionee agrees that a purchase of shares under this option will not be made
with a view to their distribution, as that term is

<PAGE>   14

used in the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, unless in the opinion of counsel
to the Company such distribution is in compliance with or exempt from the
registration and prospectus requirements of that Act, and the Optionee agrees to
sign a certificate to such effect at the time of exercising this option and
agrees that the certificate for the shares so purchased may be inscribed with a
legend to ensure compliance with that Act.

9. Method of Exercising Option. Subject to the terms and conditions of this
Agreement and the Optionee's execution and delivery of the Company's Stockholder
Agreement then in effect, this option may be exercised by written notice to the
Company, at the principal executive office of the Company, or to such transfer
agent as the Company shall designate. Such notice shall state the election to
exercise this option and the number of shares in respect of which it is being
exercised and shall be signed by the person or persons so exercising this
option. Such notice shall be accompanied by payment of the full purchase price
of such shares, and the Company shall deliver a certificate or certificates
representing such shares as soon as practicable after the notice shall be
received. The certificate or certificates for the shares as to which this option
shall have been so exercised shall be registered in the name of the person or
persons so exercising this option (or, if this option shall be exercised by the
Optionee and if the Optionee shall so request in the notice exercising this
option, shall be registered in the name of the Optionee and another person
jointly, with right of survivorship) and shall be delivered as provided above to
or upon the written order of the person or persons exercising this option. In
the event this option shall be exercised, pursuant to Article 5 hereof, by any
person or persons other than the Optionee, such notice shall be accompanied by
appropriate proof of the right of such person or persons to exercise this
option. All shares that shall be purchased upon the exercise of this option as
provided herein shall be fully paid and non-assessable.

10. Option Not Transferable. This option is not transferable or assignable
except by will or by the laws of descent and distribution. During the Optionee's
lifetime only the Optionee can exercise this option.

11. No Obligation to Exercise Option. The grant and acceptance of this option
imposes no obligation on the Optionee to exercise it.

12. No Obligation to Continue Business Relationship. The Company and any Related
Corporations are not by the Plan or this option obligated to continue to
maintain a Business Relationship with the Optionee.

13. No Rights as Stockholder until Exercise. The Optionee shall have no rights
as a stockholder with respect to shares subject to this Agreement until a stock
certificate

therefor has been issued to the Optionee and is fully paid for. Except as is
expressly provided in the Plan with respect to certain changes in the
capitalization of the Company, no adjustment shall be made for dividends or
similar rights for which the record date is prior to the date such stock
certificate is issued.

14. Capital Changes and Business Successions. It is the purpose of this option
to encourage the Optionee to work for the best interests of the Company and its
stockholders. Since, for example, that might require the issuance of a stock
dividend or a merger with another corporation, the purpose of this option would
not be served if such a stock dividend, merger or similar occurrence would cause
the

<PAGE>   15

Optionee's rights hereunder to be diluted or terminated and thus be contrary to
the Optionee's interest. The Plan contains extensive provisions designed to
preserve options at full value in a number of contingencies. Therefore,
provisions in the Plan for adjustment with respect to stock subject to options
and the related provisions with respect to successors to the business of the
Company are hereby made applicable hereunder and are incorporated herein by
reference. In particular, without affecting the generality of the foregoing, it
is understood that for the purposes of Articles 3 through 5 hereof, both
inclusive, maintaining or being involved in a Business Relationship includes
maintaining or being involved in a Business Relationship with a Related
Corporation as defined in the Plan. In addition, notwithstanding any other term
or provision of this Agreement to the contrary, all shares subject to this
option shall become vested upon the consummation of (i) any merger or
consolidation in which the persons controlling the Company immediately prior to
such merger or consolidation do not control the surviving entity, or (ii) the
sale of all, or substantially all of, the assets of the Company, or (iii) the
sale of shares of the Company's capital stock to an entity or entities for the
purpose of strategic investment, the result of which is that the persons
controlling the Company immediately prior to such sale do not control the
Company after such sale, provided that this clause (iii) shall not apply to
sales of the Company's capital stock to financial institutions and/or
individuals for the purposes of providing capital to the Company.

15. Withholding Taxes. The Optionee hereby agrees that the Company may withhold
from the Optionee's wages or other remuneration the appropriate amount of
federal, state and local taxes attributable to the Optionee's exercise of any
installment of this option. At the Company's discretion, the amount required to
be withheld may be withheld in cash from such wages or other remuneration, or in
kind from the Common Stock otherwise deliverable to the Optionee on exercise of
this option. The Optionee further agrees that, if the Company does not withhold
an amount from the Optionee's wages or other remuneration sufficient to satisfy
the Company's withholding obligation, the Optionee will reimburse the Company on
demand, in cash, for the amount underwithheld.

16. Option to Purchase Upon Termination of Business Relationship.

(a) Option. If the Optionee ceases to be involved in a Business Relationship
with the Company for any reason, the Company shall have the option, exercisable
at any time within thirty (30) days after the later of the date on which the
Business Relationship terminates or the expiration of the applicable exercise
period set forth in Article 4 or 5 above, to purchase all or any part of the
Optionee's shares. The Company may assign this right to purchase in its sole
discretion. The Company or its assignee(s) shall exercise the foregoing option
by sending written notice to the Optionee within the thirty (30)-day period.

(b) Purchase Price. The purchase price of any shares to be sold to the Company
and/or its assigns under this Article 16 shall be the fair market value thereof
as determined by the Board of Directors as of the date on which the Business
Relationship terminated. Such purchase price shall be payable in eight (8) equal
quarterly payments bearing interest payable not less than annually at no less
than 100% of the lowest applicable Federal rate, as defined in Section 1274(d)
of the Code, with the first payment to be made at the closing of a purchase and
sale of shares pursuant to Section 16(c) below, and each subsequent payment to
be made at three (3)-month intervals.

<PAGE>   16

(c) Settlement. The closing of a purchase and sale of shares under this Article
shall take place at the principal office of the Company at such time and date as
shall be mutually agreed between the Company and the Optionee, provided that if
the parties cannot reach such agreement, settlement shall be ninety (90) days
after the date of termination of the Optionee's Business Relationship with the
Company (or if such day is a holiday, the first business day thereafter). At the
closing, the Optionee shall deliver to the Company (i) the certificate or
certificates representing the shares held by such Optionee, duly endorsed for
transfer, or (ii) if such certificate or certificates are already in the
Company's possession, such duly endorsed stock powers as the Company may request
to permit it to record the repurchase by the Company on the records of the
Company.

(d) Expiration. The repurchase rights of the Company set forth above shall
remain in effect until the Closing of a firm commitment underwritten initial
public offering of the Company's Common Stock resulting in gross proceeds to the
Company of at least $5,000,000, pursuant to a registration statement filed under
the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or a successor statute (a "Qualified
Public Offering").

17. Refusal Rights. (a) If the Optionee desires to sell all or any part of the
shares acquired under this option (including any securities received in respect
thereof pursuant to recapitalizations and the like), and an offeror (the
"Offeror") has made an offer therefor, which offer the Optionee desires to
accept, the Optionee shall: (i) obtain in writing an irrevocable and
unconditional bona fide offer (the "Bona Fide Offer") for the purchase thereof
from the Offeror; and (ii) give written notice (the "Option Notice") to the
Company setting forth his desire to sell such shares, which Option Notice shall
be accompanied by a photocopy of the original executed Bona Fide Offer and shall
set forth at least the name and address of the Offeror and the price and terms
of the Bona Fide Offer. Upon receipt of the Option Notice, the Company shall
have an option to purchase any or all of such shares specified in the Option
Notice, such option to be exercisable by giving, within 30 days after receipt of
the Option Notice, a written counter-notice to the Optionee. If the Company
elects to purchase any or all of such shares, it shall be obligated to purchase,
and the Optionee shall be obligated to sell to the Company, such shares at the
price and terms indicated in the

Bona Fide Offer within 60 days from the date of receipt by the Company of the
Option Notice. The Company's purchase rights under this Article are assignable
by the Company it its sole discretion.

(b) The Optionee may sell, pursuant to the terms of the Bona Fide Offer, any or
all of such shares not purchased or agreed to be purchased by the Company for 60
days after the expiration of the 30-day period during which the Company may give
the aforesaid counter-notice; provided, however, that the Optionee shall not
sell such shares to the Offeror if, in the sole opinion of the Company, the
Offeror is (i) a competitor of the Company, or (ii) a person that controls, is
controlled by or under common control with a competitor of the Company, or (iii)
a member of management of a competitor of the Company (each of such persons
named in clauses (i) through (iii), a "Competitor") and the Company gives
written notice to the Optionee, within 30 days of its receipt of the Option
Notice, stating that the Optionee shall not sell his shares to the Offeror; and
provided; further, that prior to the sale of such shares to the Offeror, the
Offeror shall execute an agreement with the Company pursuant to which the
Offeror agrees not to become a Competitor of the Company and further agrees to
be subject to the restriction set forth

<PAGE>   17

in this Agreement. If any or all of such shares are not sold pursuant to a Bona
Fide Offer within the time permitted above, the unsold shares shall remain
subject to the terms of this Agreement.

(c) The refusal rights of the Company set forth above shall remain in effect
until the Closing of a Qualified Public Offering.

18. Legends on Stock Certificates. All stock certificates representing shares of
Common Stock issued to the Optionee upon exercise of this option shall have
affixed thereto legends substantially in the following forms, in addition to any
other legends required by applicable state law:

"The shares of stock represented by this certificate have not been registered
under the Securities Act of 1933 and may not be transferred, sold or otherwise
disposed of in the absence of an effective registration statement with respect
to the shares evidenced by this certificate, filed and made effective under the
Securities Act of 1933, or an opinion of counsel satisfactory to the Company to
the effect that registration under such Act is not required."

"The shares of stock represented by this certificate are subject to certain
restrictions on transfer contained in a Non-Qualified Stock Option Agreement, a
copy of which will be furnished upon request by the issuer."

19. Notice. Any and all notices, requests, or other communications provided for
in the Agreement shall be given in writing and delivered personally, sent by
registered or certified mail, return receipt requested, and first-class postage
prepaid, or sent by guarantied commercial overnight courier, and shall be
addressed: (i) if to the Company, to the principal offices of the Company; and
(ii) if to the Optionee, to the address of the Optionee set forth below, or to
such other address as has last been furnished to the Company in accordance with
this Article 19. Any notice that is required to be made within a stated period
of time shall be considered timely if delivered or mailed before midnight of the
last day of such period. Such notices or other communications shall be deemed
received (a) on the date delivered, if delivered personally, (b) three business
days after being deposited with the U.S. Post Office, if sent by registered or
certified mail, unless the receipt for delivery states a different date or (c)
on the next business day, if sent by Federal Express or similar overnight
courier, unless the receipt for delivery states a different date.

20. Governing Law. This Agreement shall be governed by and interpreted in
accordance with the internal laws of The Commonwealth of Massachusetts.

<PAGE>   18

IN WITNESS WHEREOF the Company and the Optionee have caused this instrument to
be executed, and the Optionee whose signature appears below acknowledges receipt
of a copy of the Plan and acceptance of an original copy of this Agreement.

        ANDOVER ADVANCED TECHNOLOGIES, INC.

        By:
           ---------------------------------
        Name:

        Title:

        OPTIONEE

        By:
           ---------------------------------
        Print Name:

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