Document:

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                                                                    Exhibit 4.4

                                  PRIMEDIA INC.
                            2001 STOCK INCENTIVE PLAN

1.   PURPOSE OF PLAN

     The PRIMEDIA Inc. 2001 Stock Incentive Plan (the "Plan") is designed:

     (a) to promote the long term financial interests and growth of PRIMEDIA
Inc. (the "Corporation") and its Subsidiaries (as defined below) by attracting
and retaining management personnel with the training, experience and ability to
enable them to make a substantial contribution to the success of the
Corporation's business;

     (b) to motivate management personnel by means of growth-related incentives
to achieve long range goals; and

     (c) to further the identity of interests of participants with those of the
stockholders of the Corporation through opportunities for increased stock, or
stock-based, ownership in the Corporation.

2.   DEFINITIONS

     As used in the Plan, the following words shall have the following
meanings:

     (a) "Affiliate" shall mean, with respect to the Corporation, any entity
directly or indirectly controlling, controlled by, or under common control with,
the Corporation or any other entity designated by the Board of Directors in
which the Corporation or an Affiliate has an interest.

     (b) "Board of Directors" means the Board of Directors of the Corporation.

     (c) "Change in Control" shall mean the occurrence of any one of the
following events:

                  (i) transaction or series of related transactions whereby KKR
         Associates and/or its affiliates ("KKR") sells or otherwise disposes of
         beneficial ownership (within the meaning of Rule 13 d-3 of the
         Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "1934 Act")) of
         securities of the Corporation representing 35% or more of the combined
         voting power of all securities of the Corporation entitled to vote in
         the election of directors of the Corporation to any single person or
         group (within the meaning of Section 13(d)(3) of the 1934 Act, and the
         rules and regulations promulgated thereunder), other than to an
         Affiliate of KKR, and in connection with or following such disposition
         such single person or group obtains control of a majority of the seats
         (other than vacant seats) on the Board;

                  (ii) the Corporation adopts any plan of liquidation providing
         for the distribution of all or substantially all of its assets;

                  (iii) all or substantially all of the assets or business of
         the Corporation are disposed of pursuant to a merger, consolidation or
         other transaction (unless the

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         shareholders of the Corporation immediately prior to such merger,
         consolidation or other transaction beneficially own, directly or
         indirectly, in substantially the same proportion as they owned the
         voting securities of the Corporation, all of the voting securities
         or other ownership interests of the entity or entities, if any,
         that succeed to the business of the Corporation); or

                  (iv) the Corporation combines with another company and is the
         surviving corporation but, immediately after the combination, the
         shareholders of the Corporation immediately prior to the combination
         hold, directly or indirectly, 50% or less of the voting securities of
         the combined company (there being excluded from the number of shares
         held by such shareholders, but not from the voting securities of the
         combined company, any shares received by Affiliates of such other
         company in exchange for stock of such other company).

     (d) "Committee" means the Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors.

     (e) "Common Stock" or "Share" means common stock of the Corporation which
may be authorized but unissued, or issued and reacquired.

     (f) "Derivative Security" has the meaning given it in Rule 16a-1(c) under
the Exchange Act.

     (g) "Employee" means a person, including an officer, in the employment of
the Corporation or one of its Subsidiaries who is selected by the Committee.

     (h) "Exchange Act" means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.

     (i) "Fair Market Value" means such value of a Share as reported for stock
exchange transactions and/or determined in accordance with any applicable
resolutions or regulations of the Committee in effect at the relevant time.

     (j) "Grant" means an award made to a Participant pursuant to the Plan and
described in Paragraph 5, including, without limitation, an award of a Stock
Option, Stock Appreciation Right, Dividend Equivalent Right, Restricted Stock,
Purchase Stock, Performance Units, Performance Shares or Other Stock Based Grant
or any combination of the foregoing.

     (k) "Grant Agreement" means an agreement between the Corporation and a
Participant that sets forth the terms, conditions and limitations applicable to
a Grant.

     (l) "Participant" means an Employee, or other person having a relationship
with the Corporation or any of its Subsidiaries, to whom one or more Grants have
been made and such Grants have not all been forfeited or terminated under the
Plan; provided, however, a non-employee director of the Corporation or one of
its Subsidiaries may not be a Participant.

     (m) "Stock-Based Grants" means the collective reference to the grant of
Stock Appreciation Rights, Dividend Equivalent Rights, Restricted Stock,
Performance Units, Performance Shares and Other Stock Based Grants.

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     (n) "Stock Options" means the collective reference to "Incentive Stock
Options" and "Other Stock Options".

     (o) "Subsidiary" means any entity of which the Corporation owns, either
directly or indirectly, at least 50% of the combined voting power or economic
interest of such entity.

3.   ADMINISTRATION OF PLAN

     (a) The Plan shall be administered by the Committee, which may delegate its
duties and powers in whole or in part to any subcommittee thereof consisting
solely of at least two individuals who are intended to qualify as "non-employee
directors" within the meaning of Rule 16b-3 under the Act (or any successor rule
thereto) and "outside directors" within the meaning of Section 162(m) of the
Code (or any successor section thereto). The Committee may adopt its own rules
of procedure, and the action of a majority of the Committee, taken at a meeting
or taken without a meeting by a writing signed by such majority, shall
constitute action by the Committee. The Committee shall have the power and
authority to administer, construe and interpret the Plan, to make rules for
carrying it out and to make changes in such rules. Any such interpretations,
rules, and administration shall be consistent with the basic purposes of the
Plan.

     (b) The Committee may delegate to the Chief Executive Officer and to other
senior officers of the Corporation its duties under the Plan subject to such
conditions and limitations as the Committee shall prescribe except that only the
Committee may designate and make Grants to Participants who are subject to
Section 16 of the Exchange Act or Section 162(m) of the Code.

     (c) The Committee may employ attorneys, consultants, accountants,
appraisers, brokers or other persons. The Committee, the Corporation, and the
officers and directors of the Corporation shall be entitled to rely upon the
advice, opinions or valuations of any such persons. No member of the Committee
shall be personally liable for any action, determination or interpretation made
in good faith with respect to the Plan or the Grants, and all members of the
Committee shall be fully protected by the Corporation with respect to any such
action, determination or interpretation.

     (d) The Committee may construe and interpret the Plan and the Grants
awarded thereunder and establish, amend and revoke rules and regulations for the
administration of the Plan, including, but not limited to, correcting any defect
or supplying any omission, or reconciling any inconsistency in the Plan or in
any Grant Agreement, in the manner and to the extent it shall deem necessary or
advisable to make the Plan fully effective.

     (e) The Committee may determine the duration and purposes for leaves of
absence which may be granted to a Participant on an individual basis without
constituting a termination of employment or service for purposes of the Plan.

     (f) The Committee may resolve all questions of interpretation arising under
or in connection with the administration of the Plan, exercise its discretion
with respect to the powers and rights granted to it as set forth in the Plan,
and generally, exercise such powers and perform

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such acts as are deemed necessary or advisable to promote the best interests
of the Company with respect to the Plan.

     (g) All decisions and determinations by the Committee in the exercise of
the powers conferred upon it under the Plan shall be final, binding and
conclusive upon the Company, the Subsidiaries, Participants and all other
persons having any interest therein.

4.   ELIGIBILITY

     The Committee may from time to time make Grants under the Plan to such
Employees, or other persons having a relationship with the Corporation or any of
its Subsidiaries, and in such form and having such terms, conditions and
limitations as the Committee may determine. No Grants may be made under this
Plan to non-employee directors of the Corporation or any of its Subsidiaries.
Grants may be granted singly, in combination or in tandem. The terms, conditions
and limitations of each Grant under the Plan shall be set forth in a Grant
Agreement, in a form approved by the Committee, consistent, however, with the
terms of the Plan; provided, however, such Grant Agreement shall contain
provisions dealing with the treatment of Grants in the event of the termination,
death or disability of a Participant, and may also include provisions concerning
the treatment of Grants in the event of a change of control of the Corporation.

5.   GRANTS

     From time to time, the Committee will determine the forms and amounts of
Grants to Participants. Grants shall be subject to such terms and conditions,
including without limitation, vesting and exercisability periods or
restrictions, and the effect on a Grant of a termination or change in employment
status of a Participant (including a termination or change by reason of a sale
of a subsidiary or division of the Corporation), as the Committee may in its
discretion determine. Such Grants may take the following forms in the
Committee's sole discretion:

     (a) INCENTIVE STOCK OPTIONS - These are stock options within the meaning of
Section 422 of the Code, to purchase Common Stock. In addition to other
restrictions contained in the Plan, an option granted under this Paragraph 5(a),
(i) may not be exercised more than 10 years after the date it is granted, (ii)
may not have an option price less than the Fair Market Value of Common Stock on
the date the option is granted, (iii) must otherwise comply with Code Section
422, and (iv) must be designated as an "Incentive Stock Option" by the
Committee. The maximum aggregate Fair Market Value of Common Stock (determined
at the time of each Grant) with respect to which any Participant may first
exercise Incentive Stock Options under this Plan and any Incentive Stock Options
granted to the Participant for such year under any plans of the Corporation or
any Subsidiary in any calendar year is $100,000. Payment of the option price
shall be made in cash or in shares of Common Stock, or a combination thereof, in
accordance with the terms of the Plan, the Grant Agreement, and of any
applicable guidelines of the Committee in effect at the time.

     (b) OTHER STOCK OPTIONS - These are options to purchase Common Stock
which are not designated by the Committee as "Incentive Stock Options". At
the time of the Grant the Committee shall determine, and shall have contained
in the Grant Agreement or other Plan rules, the option exercise period, the
option price, and such other conditions or restrictions on the grant

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or exercise of the option as the Committee deems appropriate, which may
include the requirement that the grant of options is predicated on the
acquisition by the optionholder of Purchase Stock under Paragraph 5(e) by the
Optionee. In addition to other restrictions contained in the Plan, an option
granted under this Paragraph 5(b), (i) may not be exercised more than 10
years after the date it is granted and (ii) may not have an option exercise
price less than 30% of the Fair Market Value of Common Stock on the date it
is granted.

     (c) STOCK APPRECIATION RIGHTS - These are rights that on exercise
entitle the holder to receive the excess of (i) the Fair Market Value of a
share of Common Stock on the date of exercise over (ii) the Fair Market Value
on the date of Grant (the "base value") multiplied by (iii) the number of
rights exercised as determined by the Committee. Stock Appreciation Rights
granted under the Plan may, but need not be, granted in conjunction with an
Option under Paragraph 5(a) or 5(b). The Committee, in the Grant Agreement or
by other Plan rules, may impose such conditions or restrictions on the
exercise of Stock Appreciation Rights as it deems appropriate, and may
terminate, amend, or suspend such Stock Appreciation Rights at any time. No
Stock Appreciation Right granted under this Plan may be exercised more than
10 years after the date it is granted.

     (d) RESTRICTED STOCK - Restricted Stock is Common Stock delivered to a
Participant with restrictions or conditions on the Participant's right to
transfer or sell such stock; provided that the price of any share of
Restricted Stock delivered for consideration other than services and not as
bonus stock may not be less than 30% of the Fair Market Value of a share of
Common Stock on the date such Restricted Stock is granted or the price of
such Restricted Stock may be the par value of a share of Common Stock. The
number of shares of Restricted Stock and the restrictions on such shares
shall be as the Committee determines, in the Grant Agreement or by other Plan
rules, and the certificate for the Restricted Stock shall bear evidence of
the restrictions or conditions.

     (e) PURCHASE STOCK - Purchase Stock are shares of Common Stock offered
to a Participant at such price as determined by the Committee; provided,
however, that the price per share of such Purchase Stock may not be less than
30% of the Fair Market Value of the Common Stock on the date such shares of
Purchase Stock are offered.

     (f) DIVIDEND EQUIVALENT RIGHTS - These are rights to receive cash
payments from the Corporation at the same time and in the same amount as any
cash dividends paid on an equal number of shares of Common Stock to
shareholders of record during the period such rights are effective. The
Committee, in the Grant Agreement or by other Plan rules, may impose such
restrictions and conditions on the Dividend Equivalent Rights, including the
date such rights will terminate, as it deems appropriate, and may terminate,
amend, or suspend such Dividend Equivalent Rights at any time.

     (g) PERFORMANCE UNITS - These are rights to receive at a specified
future date, payment in cash of an amount equal to all or a portion of the
value of a unit granted by the Committee. At the time of the Grant, in the
Grant Agreement or by other Plan rules, the Committee must determine the base
value of the unit, the performance factors applicable to the determination of
the ultimate payment value of the unit and the period over which Corporation
performance will be measured. These factors must include a minimum
performance standard for the Corporation

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                                                                             6

below which no payment will be made and a maximum performance level above
which no increased payment will be made. The term over which Corporation
performance will be measured shall be not less than six months.

     (h) PERFORMANCE SHARES - These are rights to receive at a specified future
date, payment in cash or Common Stock, as determined by the Committee, of an
amount equal to all or a portion of the (i) average of the Fair Market Value of
a share of Common Stock on each trading day during the last forty-five (45) days
of such period, multiplied by (ii) a specified number of shares of Common Stock.
At the time of the Grant, the Committee, in the Grant Agreement or by Plan
rules, will determine the factors which will govern the portion of the rights so
payable and the period over which performance will be measured. The factors will
be based on Corporation performance and must include a minimum performance
standard for the Corporation below which no payment will be made and a maximum
performance level above which no increased payment will be made. The term over
which Corporation performance will be measured shall be not less than six
months. Performance Shares will be granted for no consideration other than
services.

     (i) OTHER STOCK-BASED GRANTS - The Committee may make other Grants under
the Plan pursuant to which shares of Common Stock (which may, but need not, be
shares of Restricted Stock pursuant to Paragraph 5(d)), are or may in the future
be acquired, or Grants denominated in stock units, including Grants valued using
measures other than market value. Other Stock-Based Grants may be granted with
or without consideration; provided, however, that the price of any such Grant
made for consideration other than services that provides for the acquisition of
shares of Common Stock or other equity securities of the Corporation may not be
less than 30% of the Fair Market Value of a share of the Common Stock or such
other equity securities on the date of grant of such Grant. Such Other
Stock-Based Grants may be made alone, in addition to or in tandem with any Grant
of any type made under the Plan and must be consistent with the purposes of the
Plan.

     (j) MANNER OF EXERCISE AND PAYMENT OF STOCK OPTIONS - A Stock Option, or
portion thereof, shall be exercised for whole shares of Common Stock by delivery
of a written notice of exercise to the Corporation and payment of the full
exercise price of the shares being purchased. A Participant may exercise a Stock
Option with respect to less than the full number of shares for which the Stock
Option may then be exercised. The price of Common Stock purchased pursuant to an
Option, or portion thereof, may be paid:

         (1) in United States dollars in cash or by check, bank draft or money
order payable to the order of the Corporation,

         (2) through the delivery of shares of Common Stock (which the
Participant has held for at least six months prior to delivery of such shares or
where the Participant has purchased on the open market and for which the
Participant holds title free and clear of all liens and encumbrances) with an
aggregate Fair Market Value on the date of exercise equal to the exercise price,

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         (3) by delivery of an irrevocable notice of exercise to a financial
institution acceptable to the Corporation to deliver promptly to the Corporation
the portion of sale or loan proceeds sufficient to pay the exercise price,

         (4) through the written election of the Participant to have shares of
Common Stock withheld by the Corporation from the shares otherwise to be
received, with such withheld shares having an aggregate Fair Market Value on the
date of exercise equal to the exercise price or Federal, state and local tax
withholding obligations in connection with such exercise or

         (5) by any combination of the above methods of payment.

     The Committee shall have sole discretion to disapprove of an election for
delivering or withholding Common Stock upon exercise of a Stock Option in
accordance with clauses (2)-(5) above and may impose such limitations and
prohibitions on the use of Common Stock to exercise a Stock Option as it deems
appropriate, including, without limitation, any limitation or prohibition
designed to avoid certain accounting consequences which may result from the use
of Common Stock as payment upon exercise of a Stock Option or tax withholding
obligation. If the method of payment in clause (3) is elected, the Stock Option
will be deemed to be exercised simultaneously with the sale of the shares by the
financial institution. If the shares to be acquired on such exercise cannot be
sold for a price equal to or greater than the full Exercise Price, then there
will be no exercise of the Stock Option.

     (k) NONTRANSFERABILITY OF DERIVATIVE SECURITIES: No Stock Option or
Stock-Based Grant which constitutes a Derivative Security shall be transferable
otherwise than by will, the laws of descent and distribution or pursuant to
beneficiary designation procedures approved by the Corporation or be subject to
attachment, execution or other similar process. In the event of any attempt by
the Participant to alienate, assign, pledge, hypothecate or otherwise dispose of
a Stock Option or any such Stock-Based Grant or of any right hereunder, except
as provided for herein, or in the event of any levy or any attachment, execution
or similar process upon the rights or interest hereby conferred, the Corporation
may terminate the Stock Option or such Stock-Based Grant by notice to the
Participant and the Stock Option or such Stock-Based Grant shall thereupon
become null and void. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Committee may provide,
either at the time of grant or otherwise, that a Stock Option or Stock-Based
Grant constituting a Derivative Security is transferrable to the extent that
such transferability is permissible under BOTH Rule 16b-3 under the Exchange Act
and the form of Registration Statement under which securities issued under the
Plan are registered under the Securities Act of 1933.

6.   LIMITATIONS AND CONDITIONS

     (a) Subject to Paragraph 4, the number of shares available for Grants under
this Plan shall be 6,437,750 shares of Common Stock reduced by the sum of the
aggregate amount of shares issued upon a Grant or become subject to an
outstanding Grant. The number of shares subject to Grants under this Plan to any
one Participant during any calendar year shall not be more than 4,816,400 shares
of Common Stock. To the extent that shares related to outstanding Grants are not
issued by reason of Grants being forfeited, terminated, cancelled, expire
unexercised or delivered or withheld to pay the exercise price or satisfy
withholding obligations, then such shares shall again immediately become
available for Grants.

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     (b) No Grants shall be made under the Plan beyond ten years after the
effective date of the amendment and restatement of the Plan, but the terms of
Grants made on or before the expiration thereof may extend beyond such
expiration. At the time a Grant is made or amended or the terms or conditions of
a Grant are changed, the Committee may provide for limitations or conditions on
such Grant.

     (c) Nothing contained herein shall affect the right of the Corporation to
terminate any Participant's employment at any time or for any reason.

     (d) Deferrals of Grant payouts may be provided for, at the sole discretion
of the Committee, in the Grant Agreements.

     (e) Except as otherwise prescribed by the Committee, the amounts of the
Grants for any employee of a Subsidiary, along with interest, dividend, and
other expenses accrued on deferred Grants shall be charged to the Participant's
employer during the period for which the Grant is made. If the Participant is
employed by more than one Subsidiary or by both the Corporation and a Subsidiary
during the period for which the Grant is made, the Participant's Grant and
related expenses will be allocated between the companies employing the
Participant in a manner prescribed by the Committee.

     (f) Participants shall not be, and shall not have any of the rights or
privileges of, stockholders of the Corporation in respect of any Shares subject
to any Grant unless and until certificates representing any such Shares have
been issued by the Corporation to such Participants.

     (g) No election as to benefits or exercise of any Grant may be made during
a Participant's lifetime by anyone other than the Participant except by a legal
representative appointed for or by the Participant.

     (h) Any Grant shall not be deemed compensation for purposes of computing
benefits or contributions under any retirement plan of the Corporation or its
Subsidiaries and shall not affect any benefits under any other benefit plan of
any kind or subsequently in effect under which the availability or amount of
benefits is related to level of compensation. This Plan is not a "Retirement
Plan" or "Welfare Plan" under the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of
1974, as amended.

     (i) Unless the Committee determines otherwise, no benefit or promise under
the Plan shall be secured by any specific assets of the Corporation or any of
its Subsidiaries, nor shall any assets of the Corporation or any of its
Subsidiaries be designated as attributable or allocated to the satisfaction of
the Corporation's obligations under the Plan.

7.   TRANSFERS AND LEAVES OF ABSENCE

     For purposes of the Plan a transfer of a Participant's employment without
an intervening period of separation among the Corporation and any Subsidiary
shall not be deemed a termination of employment.

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8.   ADJUSTMENTS

     In the event of a stock split, spin-off, stock dividend, stock
combination or reclassification, recapitalization or merger, change of
control, or similar event, the Committee may adjust appropriately the number
or kind of Shares subject to the Plan and available for or covered by Grants
and Share prices related to outstanding Grants and make such other revisions
to outstanding Grants as it deems are equitably required.

9.   CHANGE IN CONTROL

     Except as otherwise provided in a Grant Agreement, in the event of a
Change in Control, the Committee in its sole discretion and without liability
to any person may take such actions, if any, as it deems necessary or
desirable with respect to any award granted under the Plan (including,
without limitation, (i) the acceleration of vesting or exercisability of an
award, (ii) the expiration of an award following a Change in Control, (iii)
the payment of a cash amount in exchange for the cancellation of an award
which, in the case of Stock Options may equal the excess, if any, of the fair
market value per share of Common Stock over the option price, and/or (iv) the
requiring of the issuance of substitute awards that will substantially
preserve the value, rights and benefits of any affected awards previously
granted hereunder) effective as of the date of the consummation of the Change
in Control.

10.  AMENDMENT AND TERMINATION

     The Committee shall have the authority to make such amendments to any
terms and conditions applicable to outstanding Grants as are consistent with
this Plan provided that, except for adjustments under Paragraph 8 or 9
hereof, no such action shall modify such Grant in a manner adverse to the
Participant without the Participant's consent except as such modification is
provided for or contemplated in the terms of the Grant. The Committee's
authority hereunder shall include, without limitation, amendments to
accelerate or waive vesting periods and to extend the exercisability
(including to extend or provide for post-termination exercisability) of Stock
Options or Stock-Based Grants, provided that such exercisability shall not
extend past 10 years from the date of grant of such Stock Options,
Stock-Based Grants or Other Stock-Based Grants.

     The Board of Directors may amend, suspend or terminate the Plan except
that no such action, other than an action under Paragraph 8 or 9 hereof, may
be taken which would, without shareholder approval, increase the aggregate
number of Shares available for Grants under the Plan, decrease the price of
outstanding Options or Stock Appreciation Rights, change the requirements
relating to the Committee or extend the term of the Plan.

11.  FOREIGN OPTIONS AND RIGHTS

     The Committee may make Grants to Employees who are subject to the laws
of nations other than the United States, which Grants may have terms and
conditions that differ from the terms thereof as provided elsewhere in the
Plan for the purpose of complying with foreign laws.

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12.  WITHHOLDING TAXES

     The Corporation shall have the right to deduct from any cash payment
made under the Plan any Federal, state or local income or other taxes
required by law to be withheld with respect to such payment. It shall be a
condition to the obligation of the Corporation to deliver shares or pay any
cash pursuant to any Grant that the Participant pay to the Corporation such
amount as may be requested by the Corporation for the purpose of satisfying
any liability for such withholding taxes. Any Grant Agreement may provide
that the Participant may elect, in accordance with any conditions set forth
in such Grant Agreement, to pay a portion or all of such withholding taxes by
delivery of in shares of Common Stock or by having shares of Common Stock
withheld by the Corporation from the shares otherwise to be received. The
number of shares so delivered or withheld shall have an aggregate Fair Market
Value sufficient to satisfy the applicable withholding taxes. The acceptance
of any such election by a Participant shall be at the sole discretion of the
Committee, and in the case of a Participant subject to Section 16 of the
Exchange Act, the Corporation may require that the method of making such
payment be in compliance with Section 16 and rules and regulations thereunder.

13.  EFFECTIVE DATE AND TERMINATION DATES

     The Plan shall be effective on and as of the date of the approval by the
stockholders of the Corporation in its amended and restated form, and shall
terminate ten years later, subject to earlier termination by the Board of
Directors pursuant to Paragraph 10.<PAGE>

                                                                     Exhibit 4.5

     Amended and Restated 1999 Non-Officer Stock Option/Stock Issuance Plan

                                 ABOUT.COM, INC.
     AMENDED AND RESTATED 1999 NON-OFFICER STOCK OPTION/STOCK ISSUANCE PLAN

                                   ARTICLE ONE

                               GENERAL PROVISIONS

I. PURPOSE OF THE PLAN

            This Amended and Restated 1999 Non-Officer Stock Option/Stock
Issuance Plan is intended to promote the interests of About.com, Inc., a
Delaware corporation, by providing eligible persons with the opportunity to
acquire a proprietary interest, or otherwise increase their proprietary
interest, in the Corporation as an incentive for them to remain in the service
of the Corporation.

            Capitalized terms shall have the meanings assigned to such terms in
the attached Appendix.

      II. STRUCTURE OF THE PLAN

            A. The Plan shall be divided into two separate equity programs:

                        (i) the Discretionary Option Grant Program under which
eligible persons may, at the discretion of the Plan Administrator, be granted
options to purchase shares of Common Stock, and

                        (ii) the Stock Issuance Program under which eligible
persons may, at the discretion of the Plan Administrator, be issued shares of
Common Stock directly, either through the immediate purchase of such shares or
as a bonus for services rendered the Corporation (or any Parent or Subsidiary).

            B. The provisions of Articles One and Four shall apply to all equity
programs under the Plan and shall govern the interests of all persons under the
Plan.

      III. ADMINISTRATION OF THE PLAN

            A. The Board shall have the authority to administer the Plan but may
delegate such authority to a Committee.

            B. The Plan Administrator shall have full power and authority
subject to the provisions of the Plan:

                        (i) to establish such rules as it may deem appropriate
for proper administration of the Plan, to make all factual determinations, to
construe and interpret

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the provisions of the Plan and the awards thereunder and to resolve any and all
ambiguities thereunder;

                        (ii) to determine, with respect to awards made under the
Plan, which eligible persons are to receive such awards, the time or times when
such awards are to be made, the number of shares to be covered by each such
award, the vesting schedule (if any) applicable to the award and the maximum
term for which the option is to remain outstanding;

                        (iii) to amend, modify or cancel any outstanding award
with the consent of the holder or accelerate the vesting of such award; and

                        (iv) to take such other discretionary actions as
permitted pursuant to the terms of the applicable program.

            Decisions of each Plan Administrator within the scope of its
administrative functions under the Plan shall be final and binding on all
parties.

            C. Members of the Committee shall serve for such period of time as
the Board may determine and may be removed by the Board at any time. The Board
may also at any time terminate the functions of the Committee and reassume all
powers and authority previously delegated to such committee.

            D. Service on the Committee shall constitute service as a Board
member, and members of the Committee shall accordingly be entitled to full
indemnification and reimbursement as Board members for their service on the
Committee. No member of the Committee shall be liable for any act or omission
made in good faith with respect to the Plan or any options or stock issuances
under the Plan.

      IV. ELIGIBILITY

            A. The persons eligible to participate in the Plan are as follows:

                        (i) Employees (other than officers of the Corporation),
      and

                        (ii) consultants and other independent advisors who
      provide services to the Corporation (or any Parent or Subsidiary).

      V. STOCK SUBJECT TO THE PLAN

            A. The stock issuable under the Plan shall be shares of authorized
but unissued or reacquired Common Stock, including shares repurchased by the
Corporation on the open market. The maximum number of shares of Common Stock
reserved for issuance over the term of the Plan shall not exceed 800,000 shares.

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<PAGE>

            B. Shares of Common Stock subject to outstanding options shall be
available for subsequent issuance under the Plan to the extent those options
expire, terminate or are cancelled for any reason prior to exercise in full.
Unvested shares issued under the Plan and subsequently repurchased by the
Corporation, at the original exercise or issue price paid per share, pursuant to
the Corporation's repurchase rights under the Plan shall be added back to the
number of shares of Common Stock reserved for issuance under the Plan and shall
accordingly be available for reissuance through one or more subsequent options
or direct stock issuances under the Plan. However, should the exercise price of
an option under the Plan be paid with shares of Common Stock, then the number of
shares of Common Stock available for issuance under the Plan shall be reduced by
the gross number of shares for which the option is exercised or which vest under
the stock issuance, and not by the net number of shares of Common Stock issued
to the holder of such option or stock issuance.

            C. If any change is made to the Common Stock by reason of any stock
split, stock dividend, recapitalization, combination of shares, exchange of
shares or other change affecting the outstanding Common Stock as a class without
the Corporation's receipt of consideration, appropriate adjustments shall be
made to (i) the maximum number and/or class of securities issuable under the
Plan and (ii) the number and/or class of securities and the exercise price per
share in effect under each outstanding option under the Plan. Such adjustments
to the outstanding options are to be effected in a manner which shall preclude
the enlargement or dilution of rights and benefits under such options. The
adjustments determined by the Plan Administrator shall be final, binding and
conclusive.

                                        3

<PAGE>

                                   ARTICLE TWO

                       DISCRETIONARY OPTION GRANT PROGRAM

      I. OPTION TERMS

            Each option shall be a Non-Statutory Option and shall be evidenced
by one or more documents in the form approved by the Plan Administrator;
provided, however, that each such document shall comply with the terms specified
below.

            A. Exercise Price.

                  1. The exercise price per share shall be fixed by the Plan
Administrator at the time of the option grant.

                  2. The exercise price shall become immediately due upon
exercise of the option and shall, subject to the provisions of Section II of
Article Four and the documents evidencing the option, be payable:

                        (i) in cash,

                        (ii) check made payable to the Corporation

                        (iii) shares of Common Stock held for the requisite
      period necessary to avoid a charge to the Corporation's earnings for
      financial reporting purposes and valued at Fair Market Value on the
      Exercise Date, or

                        (iv) to the extent the option is exercised for vested
      shares, through a special sale and remittance procedure pursuant to which
      the Optionee shall concurrently provide irrevocable instructions to (a) a
      Corporation-approved brokerage firm to effect the immediate sale of the
      purchased shares and remit to the Corporation, out of the sale proceeds
      available on the settlement date, sufficient funds to cover the aggregate
      exercise price payable for the purchased shares plus all applicable
      Federal, state and local income and employment taxes required to be
      withheld by the Corporation by reason of such exercise and (b) the
      Corporation to deliver the certificates for the purchased shares directly
      to such brokerage firm in order to complete the sale.

            Except to the extent such sale and remittance procedure is utilized,
payment of the exercise price for the purchased shares must be made on the
Exercise Date.

            B. Exercise and Term of Options. Each option shall be exercisable at
such time or times, during such period and for such number of shares as shall be
determined by the Plan Administrator and set forth in the documents evidencing
the option. However, no option shall have a term in excess of ten (10) years
measured from the option grant date.

                                        4

<PAGE>

            C. Cessation of Service.

                  1. The following provisions shall govern the exercise of any
options outstanding at the time of the Optionee's cessation of Service or death:

                        (i) Any option outstanding at the time of the Optionee's
      cessation of Service for any reason shall remain exercisable for such
      period of time thereafter as shall be determined by the Plan Administrator
      and set forth in the documents evidencing the option, but no such option
      shall be exercisable after the expiration of the option term.

                        (ii) Any option exercisable in whole or in part by the
      Optionee at the time of death may be subsequently exercised by his or her
      Beneficiary.

                        (iii) During the applicable post-Service exercise
      period, the option may not be exercised in the aggregate for more than the
      number of vested shares for which the option is exercisable on the date of
      the Optionee's cessation of Service. Upon the expiration of the applicable
      exercise period or (if earlier) upon the expiration of the option term,
      the option shall terminate and cease to be outstanding for any vested
      shares for which the option has not been exercised. However, the option
      shall, immediately upon the Optionee's cessation of Service, terminate and
      cease to be outstanding to the extent the option is not otherwise at that
      time exercisable for vested shares.

                        (iv) Should the Optionee's Service be terminated for
      Misconduct or should the Optionee engage in Misconduct while his or her
      options are outstanding, then all such options shall terminate immediately
      and cease to be outstanding.

                  2. The Plan Administrator shall have complete discretion,
exercisable either at the time an option is granted or at any time while the
option remains outstanding:

                        (i) to extend the period of time for which the option is
      to remain exercisable following the Optionee's cessation of Service to
      such period of time as the Plan Administrator shall deem appropriate, but
      in no event beyond the expiration of the option term, and/or

                        (ii) to permit the option to be exercised, during the
      applicable post-Service exercise period, for one or more additional
      installments in which the Optionee would have vested had the Optionee
      continued in Service.

            D. Stockholder Rights. The holder of an option shall have no
stockholder rights with respect to the shares subject to the option until such
person shall have exercised the option, paid the exercise price and become a
holder of record of the purchased shares.

                                        5

<PAGE>

            E. Repurchase Rights. The Plan Administrator shall have the
discretion to grant options which are exercisable for unvested shares of Common
Stock. Should the Optionee cease Service while holding such unvested shares, the
Corporation shall have the right to repurchase, at the exercise price paid per
share, any or all of those unvested shares. The terms upon which such repurchase
right shall be exercisable (including the period and procedure for exercise and
the appropriate vesting schedule for the purchased shares) shall be established
by the Plan Administrator and set forth in the document evidencing such
repurchase right.

            F. Limited Transferability of Options. An Option may, to the extent
permitted by the Plan Administrator, be assigned in whole or in part during the
Optionee's lifetime to one or more members of the Optionee's immediate family or
to a trust established exclusively for Optionee and/or one or more such family
members. The terms applicable to the assigned portion shall be the same as those
in effect for the option immediately prior to such assignment and shall be set
forth in such documents issued to the assignee as the Plan Administrator may
deem appropriate.

      II. CHANGE IN CONTROL/HOSTILE TAKE-OVER

            A. Each option outstanding at the time of a Change in Control but
not otherwise fully-vested shall automatically accelerate so that each such
option shall, immediately prior to the effective date of the Change in Control,
become exercisable for all of the shares of Common Stock at the time subject to
that option and may be exercised for any or all of those shares as fully-vested
shares of Common Stock. However, an outstanding option shall not so accelerate
if and to the extent: (i) such option is, in connection with the Change in
Control, assumed or otherwise continued in full force and effect by the
successor corporation (or parent thereof) pursuant to the terms of the Change in
Control, (ii) such option is replaced with a cash incentive program of the
successor corporation which preserves the spread existing at the time of the
Change in Control on the shares of Common Stock for which the option is not
otherwise at that time exercisable for vested shares and provides for subsequent
payout in accordance with the same vesting schedule applicable to those option
shares or (iii) the acceleration of such option is subject to other limitations
imposed by the Plan Administrator at the time of the option grant.

            B. All outstanding repurchase rights shall also terminate
automatically, and the shares of Common Stock subject to those terminated rights
shall immediately vest in full, in the event of any Change in Control, except to
the extent: (i) those repurchase rights are assigned to the successor
corporation (or parent thereof) or otherwise continue in full force and effect
pursuant to the terms of the Change in Control or (ii) such accelerated vesting
is precluded by other limitations imposed by the Plan Administrator at the time
the repurchase right is issued.

            C. Immediately following the consummation of the Change in Control,
all outstanding options shall terminate and cease to be outstanding, except to
the extent assumed by the successor corporation (or parent thereof) or otherwise
expressly continued in full force and effect pursuant to the terms of the Change
in Control.

                                        6

<PAGE>

            D. Each option which is assumed in connection with a Change in
Control shall be appropriately adjusted, immediately after such Change in
Control, to apply to the number and class of securities which would have been
issuable to the Optionee in consummation of such Change in Control had the
option been exercised immediately prior to such Change in Control. Appropriate
adjustments to reflect such Change in Control shall also be made to (i) the
exercise price payable per share under each outstanding option, provided the
aggregate exercise price payable for such securities shall remain the same and
(ii) the maximum number and/or class of securities available for issuance over
the remaining term of the Plan.

            E. The Plan Administrator may at any time provide that one or more
options will automatically accelerate in connection with a Change in Control,
whether or not those options are assumed or otherwise continued in full force
and effect pursuant to the terms of the Change in Control. Any such option shall
accordingly become exercisable, immediately prior to the effective date of such
Change in Control, for all of the shares of Common Stock at the time subject to
that option and may be exercised for any or all of those shares as fully-vested
shares of Common Stock. In addition, the Plan Administrator may at any time
provide that one or more of the Corporation's repurchase rights shall not be
assignable in connection with such Change in Control and shall terminate upon
the consummation of such Change in Control.

            F. The Plan Administrator may at any time provide that one or more
options will automatically accelerate upon an Involuntary Termination of the
Optionee's Service within a designated period (not to exceed eighteen (18)
months) following the effective date of any Change in Control in which those
options do not otherwise accelerate. Any options so accelerated shall remain
exercisable for fully-vested shares until the earlier of (i) the expiration of
the option term or (ii) the expiration of the one (1)-year period measured from
the effective date of the Involuntary Termination. In addition, the Plan
Administrator may at any time provide that one or more of the Corporation's
repurchase rights shall immediately terminate upon such Involuntary Termination.

            G. The Plan Administrator may at any time provide that one or more
options will automatically accelerate in connection with a Hostile Take-Over.
Any such option shall become exercisable, immediately prior to the effective
date of such Hostile Take-Over, for all of the shares of Common Stock at the
time subject to that option and may be exercised for any or all of those shares
as fully-vested shares of Common Stock. In addition, the Plan Administrator may
at any time provide that one or more of the Corporation's repurchase rights
shall terminate automatically upon the consummation of such Hostile Take-Over.
Alternatively, the Plan Administrator may condition such automatic acceleration
and termination upon an Involuntary Termination of the Optionee's Service within
a designated period (not to exceed eighteen (18) months) following the effective
date of such Hostile Take-Over. Each option so accelerated shall remain
exercisable for fully-vested shares until the expiration or sooner termination
of the option term.

                                        7

<PAGE>

                                  ARTICLE THREE

                             STOCK ISSUANCE PROGRAM

      I. STOCK ISSUANCE TERMS

            Shares of Common Stock may be issued under the Stock Issuance
Program through direct and immediate issuances without any intervening options.
Shares of Common Stock may also be issued under the Stock Issuance Program
pursuant to share right awards which entitle the recipients to receive those
shares upon the attainment of designated performance goals or Service
requirements. Each such award shall be evidenced by one or more documents which
comply with the terms specified below.

            A. Purchase Price.

                  1. The purchase price per share of Common Stock subject to
direct issuance shall be fixed by the Plan Administrator.

                  2. Subject to the provisions of Section II of Article Four,
Shares of Common Stock may be issued under the Stock Issuance Program for any of
the following items of consideration which the Plan Administrator may deem
appropriate in each individual instance:

                        (i) cash or check made payable to the Corporation, or

                        (ii) past services rendered to the Corporation (or any
      Parent or Subsidiary).

            B. Vesting/Issuance Provisions.

                  1. The Plan Administrator may issue shares of Common Stock
which are fully and immediately vested upon issuance or which are to vest in one
or more installments over the Participant's period of Service or upon attainment
of specified performance objectives. Alternatively, the Plan Administrator may
issue share right awards which shall entitle the recipient to receive a
specified number of vested shares of Common Stock upon the attainment of one or
more performance goals or Service requirements established by the Plan
Administrator.

                  2. Any new, substituted or additional securities or other
property (including money paid other than as a regular cash dividend) which the
Participant may have the right to receive with respect to his or her unvested
shares of Common Stock by reason of any stock dividend, stock split,
recapitalization, combination of shares, exchange of shares or other change
affecting the outstanding Common Stock as a class without the Corporation's
receipt of consideration shall be issued subject to (i) the same vesting
requirements applicable to the Participant's unvested shares of Common Stock and
(ii) such escrow arrangements as the Plan Administrator shall deem appropriate.

                                        8

<PAGE>

                  3. The Participant shall have full stockholder rights with
respect to the issued shares of Common Stock, whether or not the Participant's
interest in those shares is vested. Accordingly, the Participant shall have the
right to vote such shares and to receive any regular cash dividends paid on such
shares.

                  4. Should the Participant cease to remain in Service while
holding one or more unvested shares of Common Stock, or should the performance
objectives not be attained with respect to one or more such unvested shares of
Common Stock, then those shares shall be immediately surrendered to the
Corporation for cancellation, and the Participant shall have no further
stockholder rights with respect to those shares. To the extent the surrendered
shares were previously issued to the Participant for consideration paid in cash
or cash equivalent (including the Participant's purchase-money indebtedness),
the Corporation shall repay to the Participant the cash consideration paid for
the surrendered shares and shall cancel the unpaid principal balance of any
outstanding purchase-money note of the Participant attributable to the
surrendered shares.

                  5. The Plan Administrator may waive the surrender and
cancellation of one or more unvested shares of Common Stock (or other assets
attributable thereto) which would otherwise occur upon the cessation of the
Participant's Service or the non-attainment of the performance objectives
applicable to those shares. Such waiver shall result in the immediate vesting of
the Participant's interest in the shares of Common Stock as to which the waiver
applies. Such waiver may be effected at any time, whether before or after the
Participant's cessation of Service or the attainment or non-attainment of the
applicable performance objectives.

                  6. Outstanding share right awards shall automatically
terminate, and no shares of Common Stock shall actually be issued in
satisfaction of those awards, if the performance goals or Service requirements
established for such awards are not attained. The Plan Administrator, however,
shall have the authority to issue shares of Common Stock in satisfaction of one
or more outstanding share right awards as to which the designated performance
goals or Service requirements are not attained.

      II. CHANGE IN CONTROL/HOSTILE TAKE-OVER

            A. All of the Corporation's outstanding repurchase rights shall
terminate automatically, and all the shares of Common Stock subject to those
terminated rights shall immediately vest in full, in the event of any Change in
Control, except to the extent (i) those repurchase rights are assigned to the
successor corporation (or parent thereof) or otherwise continue in full force
and effect pursuant to the terms of the Change in Control or (ii) such
accelerated vesting is precluded by other limitations imposed by the Plan
Administrator at the time the repurchase right is issued.

                                        9

<PAGE>

            B. The Plan Administrator may at any time provide for the automatic
termination of one or more of those outstanding repurchase rights and the
immediate vesting of the shares of Common Stock subject to those terminated
rights upon (i) a Change in Control or Hostile Take-Over or (ii) an Involuntary
Termination of the Participant's Service within a designated period (not to
exceed eighteen (18) months) following the effective date of any Change in
Control or Hostile Take-Over in which those repurchase rights are assigned to
the successor corporation (or parent thereof) or otherwise continue in full
force and effect.

      III. SHARE ESCROW/LEGENDS

            Unvested shares may, in the Plan Administrator's discretion, be held
in escrow by the Corporation until the Participant's interest in such shares
vests or may be issued directly to the Participant with restrictive legends on
the certificates evidencing those unvested shares.

                                       10

<PAGE>

                                  ARTICLE FOUR

                                  MISCELLANEOUS

      I. NO IMPAIRMENT OF AUTHORITY

            Outstanding awards shall in no way affect the right of the
Corporation to adjust, reclassify, reorganize or otherwise change its capital or
business structure or to merge, consolidate, dissolve, liquidate or sell or
transfer all or any part of its business or assets.

      II. FINANCING

            The Plan Administrator may permit any Optionee or Participant to pay
the option exercise price under the Discretionary Option Grant Program or the
purchase price of shares issued under the Stock Issuance Program by delivering a
full-recourse, interest bearing promissory note payable in one or more
installments. The terms of any such promissory note (including the interest rate
and the terms of repayment) shall be established by the Plan Administrator in
its sole discretion. In no event may the maximum credit available to the
Optionee or Participant exceed the sum of (i) the aggregate option exercise
price or purchase price payable for the purchased shares plus (ii) any Federal,
state and local income and employment tax liability incurred by the Optionee or
the Participant in connection with the option exercise or share purchase.

      III. TAX WITHHOLDING

            The Corporation's obligation to deliver shares of Common Stock upon
the exercise of options or the issuance or vesting of such shares under the Plan
shall be subject to the satisfaction of all applicable Federal, state and local
income and employment tax withholding requirements.

      IV. EFFECTIVE DATE AND TERM OF THE PLAN

            The Plan shall terminate upon the earliest of (i) August __, 2009,
(ii) the date on which all shares available for issuance under the Plan shall
have been issued as fully-vested shares or (iii) the termination of all
outstanding options in connection with a Change in Control. Upon such plan
termination, all outstanding options and unvested stock issuances shall
thereafter continue to have force and effect in accordance with the provisions
of the documents evidencing such grants or issuances.

      V. AMENDMENT OF THE PLAN

            The Board shall have complete and exclusive power and authority to
amend or modify the Plan in any or all respects. However, no such amendment or
modification shall adversely affect the rights and obligations with respect to
stock options or unvested stock issuances at the time outstanding under the Plan
unless the Optionee or the Participant consents to such amendment or
modification.

                                       11

<PAGE>

      VI. USE OF PROCEEDS

            Any cash proceeds received by the Corporation from the sale of
shares of Common Stock under the Plan shall be used for general corporate
purposes.

      VII. REGULATORY APPROVALS

            A. The implementation of the Plan, the granting of any stock option
under the Plan and the issuance of any shares of Common Stock (i) upon the
exercise of any granted option or (ii) under the Stock Issuance Program shall be
subject to the Corporation's procurement of all approvals and permits required
by regulatory authorities having jurisdiction over the Plan, the stock options
granted under it and the shares of Common Stock issued pursuant to it.

            B. No shares of Common Stock or other assets shall be issued or
delivered under the Plan unless and until there shall have been compliance with
all applicable requirements of Federal and state securities laws, including the
filing and effectiveness of the Form S-8 registration statement for the shares
of Common Stock issuable under the Plan, and all applicable listing requirements
of any stock exchange (or the Nasdaq National Market, if applicable) on which
Common Stock is then listed for trading.

      VIII. NO EMPLOYMENT/SERVICE RIGHTS

            Nothing in the Plan shall confer upon the Optionee or the
Participant any right to continue in Service for any period of specific duration
or interfere with or otherwise restrict in any way the rights of the Corporation
(or any Parent or Subsidiary employing or retaining such person) or of the
Optionee or the Participant, which rights are hereby expressly reserved by each,
to terminate such person's Service at any time for any reason, with or without
cause.

                                       12

<PAGE>

                                    APPENDIX

            The following definitions shall be in effect under the Plan:

            A. Beneficiary shall mean, in the event the Plan Administrator
implements a beneficiary designation procedure, the person designated by an
Optionee or Participant, pursuant to such procedure, to succeed to such person's
rights under any outstanding awards held by him or her at the time of death. In
the absence of such designation or procedure, the Beneficiary shall be the
personal representative of the estate of the Optionee or Participant or the
person or persons to whom the award is transferred by will or the laws of
descent and distribution.

            C. Board shall mean the Corporation's Board of Directors.

            D. Change in Control shall mean a change in ownership or control of
the Corporation effected through any of the following transactions:

                  (i) a merger, consolidation or reorganization approved by the
      Corporation's stockholders, unless securities representing more than fifty
      percent (50%) of the total combined voting power of the voting securities
      of the successor corporation are immediately thereafter beneficially
      owned, directly or indirectly and in substantially the same proportion, by
      the persons who beneficially owned the Corporation's outstanding voting
      securities immediately prior to such transaction,

                  (ii) any stockholder-approved transfer or other disposition of
      all or substantially all of the Corporation's assets, or

                  (iii) the acquisition, directly or indirectly by any person or
      related group of persons (other than the Corporation or a person that
      directly or indirectly controls, is controlled by, or is under common
      control with, the Corporation), of beneficial ownership (within the
      meaning of Rule 13d-3 of the 1934 Act) of securities possessing more than
      fifty percent (50%) of the total combined voting power of the
      Corporation's outstanding securities pursuant to a tender or exchange
      offer made directly to the Corporation's stockholders which the Board
      recommend such stockholders to accept.

            E. Code shall mean the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended.

            F. Committee shall mean a committee of one (1) or more Board members
appointed by the Board to administer the Plan with respect to eligible persons.

            G. Common Stock shall mean the Corporation's common stock.

            H. Corporation shall mean About.com, Inc., a Delaware corporation,
and its successors.

            I. Discretionary Option Grant Program shall mean the discretionary
option grant program in effect under the Plan.

                                       A-1

<PAGE>

            J. Employee shall mean an individual who is in the employ of the
Corporation (or any Parent or Subsidiary), subject to the control and direction
of the employer entity as to both the work to be performed and the manner and
method of performance.

            K. Exercise Date shall mean the date on which the Corporation shall
have received written notice of the option exercise.

            L. Fair Market Value per share of Common Stock on any relevant date
shall be determined in accordance with the following provisions:

                  (i) If the Common Stock is at the time traded on the Nasdaq
      National Market, then the Fair Market Value shall be the closing selling
      price per share of Common Stock on the date in question, as such price is
      reported on the Nasdaq National Market or any successor system. If there
      is no closing selling price for the Common Stock on the date in question,
      then the Fair Market Value shall be the closing selling price on the last
      preceding date for which such quotation exists.

                  (ii) If the Common Stock is at the time listed on any Stock
      Exchange, then the Fair Market Value shall be the closing selling price
      per share of Common Stock on the date in question on the Stock Exchange
      determined by the Plan Administrator to be the primary market for the
      Common Stock, as such price is officially quoted in the composite tape of
      transactions on such exchange. If there is no closing selling price for
      the Common Stock on the date in question, then the Fair Market Value shall
      be the closing selling price on the last preceding date for which such
      quotation exists.

            M. Hostile Take-Over shall mean:

                  (i) the acquisition, directly or indirectly, by any person or
      related group of persons (other than the Corporation or a person that
      directly or indirectly controls, is controlled by, or is under common
      control with, the Corporation) of beneficial ownership (within the meaning
      of Rule 13d-3 of the 1934 Act) of securities possessing more than fifty
      percent (50%) of the total combined voting power of the Corporation's
      outstanding securities pursuant to a tender or exchange offer made
      directly to the Corporation's stockholders which the Board does not
      recommend such stockholders to accept, or

                  (ii) a change in the composition of the Board over a period of
      thirty-six (36) consecutive months or less such that a majority of the
      Board members ceases, by reason of one or more contested elections for
      Board membership, to be comprised of individuals who either (A) have been
      Board members continuously since the beginning of such period or (B) have
      been elected or nominated for election as Board members during such period
      by at least a majority of the Board members described in clause (A) who
      were still in office at the time the Board approved such election or
      nomination.

                                       A-2

<PAGE>

            N. Involuntary Termination shall mean the termination of the Service
of any individual which occurs by reason of:

                  (i) such individual's involuntary dismissal or discharge by
      the Corporation for reasons other than Misconduct, or

                  (ii) such individual's voluntary resignation following (A) a
      change in his or her position with Corporation or Parent or Subsidiary
      employing the individual which materially reduces his or her duties and
      responsibilities, (B) a reduction in his or her level of compensation
      (including base salary, fringe benefits and target bonus under any
      performance based bonus or incentive programs) or (C) a relocation of such
      individual's place of employment by more than fifty (50) miles, provided
      and only if such change, reduction or relocation is effected by the
      Corporation without the individual's consent. Notwithstanding the
      foregoing, an individual's resignation following (i) a relocation shall
      not be considered an Involuntary Termination if the relocation is part of
      a general relocation of a significant portion of the operations of the
      Corporation (or Parent or Subsidiary employing the individual) or of the
      department or division in which such individual is employed to a location
      in the United States and if expenses reasonably incurred by such
      individual in connection with such relocation expenses are to be
      reimbursed by the Corporation or any successor entity or (ii) a general
      reduction in the level of base salary, target bonuses or fringe benefits
      payable to all or substantially all of the employees of the Corporation
      (or Parent or Subsidiary employing such individual) in connection with a
      cost reduction program shall not constitute an Involuntary Termination.

            O. Misconduct shall mean the commission of any act of fraud,
embezzlement or dishonesty by the Optionee or Participant, any unauthorized use
or disclosure by such person of confidential information or trade secrets of the
Corporation (or any Parent or Subsidiary), or any intentional wrongdoing by such
person, whether by omission or commission, which adversely affects the business
or affairs of the Corporation (or any Parent or Subsidiary) in a material
manner. This shall not limit the grounds for the dismissal or discharge of any
person in the Service of the Corporation (or any Parent or Subsidiary).

            P. 1934 Act shall mean the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as
amended.

            Q. Non-Statutory Option shall mean an option not intended to satisfy
the requirements of Code Section 422.

            R. Optionee shall mean any person to whom an option is granted under
the Discretionary Option Grant.

            T. Parent shall mean any corporation (other than the Corporation) in
an unbroken chain of corporations ending with the Corporation, provided each
corporation in the unbroken chain (other than the Corporation) owns, at the time
of the determination, stock possessing fifty percent (50%) or more of the total
combined voting power of all classes of stock in one of the other corporations
in such chain.

                                       A-3

<PAGE>

            U. Participant shall mean any person who is issued shares of Common
Stock under the Stock Issuance Program.

            V. Permanent Disabilityshall mean the inability of the Optionee or
the Participant to engage in any substantial gainful activity by reason of any
medically determinable physical or mental impairment expected to result in death
or to be of continuous duration of twelve (12) months or more.

            W. Plan shall mean the Corporation's Amended and Restated 1999
Non-Officer Stock Option/Stock Issuance Plan, as set forth in this document.

            X. Plan Administrator shall mean the particular entity, whether the
Committee or the Board, which is authorized to administer the Plan.

            Y. Plan Effective Date shall mean August __, 1999, the date on which
the Plan was initially adopted by the Board.

            Z. Service shall mean the performance of services for the
Corporation (or any Parent or Subsidiary) by a person in the capacity of an
Employee, a non-employee member of the board of directors or a consultant or
independent advisor, except to the extent otherwise specifically provided in the
documents evidencing the option grant or stock issuance.

            AA. Stock Exchange shall mean either the American Stock Exchange or
the New York Stock Exchange.

            BB. Stock Issuance Program shall mean the stock issuance program in
effect under the Plan.

            CC. Subsidiary shall mean any corporation (other than the
Corporation) in an unbroken chain of corporations beginning with the
Corporation, provided each corporation (other than the last corporation) in the
unbroken chain owns, at the time of the determination, stock possessing fifty
percent (50%) or more of the total combined voting power of all classes of stock
in one of the other corporations in such chain.

                                       A-4

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