Berkery, Noyes & Co. represents IDG Books Worldwide in its sale of ChekChart to Hearst Business Publishing, Inc.

NEW YORK, December 9, 1999 — Motor Information Systems and IDG Books Worldwide announced today that Motor has acquired the Chek-Chart brand and business from IDG Books Worldwide.

The acquisition brings to Motor a publishing program targeted to the automotive trade in the professional, educational, certification and reference categories. They include specification and study guides, electronic databases, custom publications, textbooks and the New Car Cost Guide, which contains new car pricing information and is used principally by credit unions and insurance agencies.

"Chek-Chart is a perfect complement to Motor’s line of service and repair products for the professional technician," said Kevin Carr, Motor’s Vice President and General Manager. "For over 70 years, it has been a premier brand among automotive professionals, who turn to Chek-Chart’s information tools for their comprehensive, reliable and easy-to-understand content."

"Our Macmillan General Reference (MGR) acquisition last August included Chek-Chart, which was run as an independent business within MGR," said John Kilcullen, IDG Books Worldwide’s CEO. "While Chek-Chart is a well-recognized and respected brand, we decided to sell this business because it does not fit with our strategic objectives."

About Motor Information Systems

Motor Information Systems, a division of Hearst Business Publishing, Inc., is the nation’s leading source of service and repair information for the professional automotive aftermarket.

About IDG Books Worldwide

IDG Books Worldwide, Inc. (Nasdaq:IDGB), headquartered in Foster City, Calif., is a leading global knowledge company with a diverse portfolio of technology, consumer and general how-to book brands, computer-based learning tools, Web sites and Internet e-services. IDGB’s best-selling brands include For Dummies(R), 3-D Visual(R), Bible, Cliffs Notes(TM), Frommer’s(R), Betty Crocker’s(R), Weight Watchers(R) and Webster’s New World(TM). The company has more than 4,000 active titles, plus translations in 36 languages around the world. More information about IDGB is available from the company’s SEC filings or by visiting the company Web site at www.idgbooks.com. IDGB is a subsidiary of International Data Group, the world’s leading IT media, research and exposition company.