WASHINGTON, Dec. 4 /PRNewswire/ -- The Software Publishers Association (SPA) announced today the finalists for the 1997 Excellence in Software Awards (the Codie Awards). The 12th Annual Codie Awards honor the achievements of software publishers for outstanding creativity and innovation in categories encompassing a broad range of business, educational, entertainment, consumer and on-line applications. The list of Codie Award finalists is attached.

For more than a decade, the Codie Awards have served as the software industry's most coveted and prestigious awards. Nominees and winners are considered by SPA's 1,200 software industry member companies to be the best of the year. The 1997 contest started with more than 900 nominees; a panel of 140 journalists of trade and national press and technology education specialists selected the 175 finalists. Now, SPA's 1,200 members will judge which of the five finalists for each of 35 Codie Award categories will be recognized as winners at SPA's Spring Symposium in San Diego, Calif. The Codie Awards will be presented in two ceremonies on March 3, 1997, a lunch and the traditional black-tie gala.

The 1997 Codie Award finalists represent not only the publishers of the world's most popular and widely used software applications but also new companies that are not yet household names among software consumers. Familiar industry trendsetters compete head-to-head with entrepreneurs whose ingenuity serves as the catalyst for the next generation of leading software products. In addition, one individual will be honored with SPA's 1997 Lifetime Achievement Award, rewarding a career of contributions that have significantly affected the development and growth of the software industry.

"Although the major players take most of the spotlight throughout the year, the Codie Awards place all competitors on a level playing field," said SPA President Ken Wasch. "Our industry thrives on innovation, and often the most remarkable progress is made by start-up companies. The judges have always rewarded the accomplishments of the publishers who have fought to gain a niche, and this year's crop of finalists is no different."

A total of 99 companies will compete as finalists, with 33 companies receiving multiple nominations. Among the leaders were Microsoft Corp, with 13 nominations, Corbis Corp. and Sunburst Communications with seven each, A.D.A.M. Software, Inc. with six and Interplay Productions with four nominations. This year's categories include awards for Internet/on-line, multimedia, business/home office, consumer, games, home education and software for schools. These categories are accented by the two industrywide awards for Best New Software Program of the Year and Best World Wide Web Site.

Competing for Best New Software Program are Airmedia Live! by Ex Machina Inc., Internet Explorer 3.0 by Microsoft Corp., Kurzweil VoicePad Pro Release 1.0 by Kurzweil Applied Intelligence Inc., LivePix by Live Pictures, Inc. and Tomb Raider by Eidos Interactive.

The finalists for Best World Wide Web Site are American Greetings by Magnet Interactive Communications, National Geographic Online by National Geographic Society, Mayo Health O@sis by IVI Publishing, TuneUp.com by TuneUp.com and 24 Hours in Cyberspace by Against All Odds Productions.

The Software Publishers Association is the principal trade association of the software industry, representing the leading publishers, as well as many start-up firms in the business, home office, consumer, education, Internet and entertainment markets. Its 1,200 member companies account for 85 percent of the U.S. packaged software industry. SPA is an international organization with offices in the United States and in Europe. Press releases and further information on SPA are available on SPA's Web site at http://www.spa.org .

1997 Codie Award Finalists

ON-LINE AWARDS

Best Internet/On-line Product or Service;

Best new Internet product or service

Cyberdog, Apple Computer, Inc

Internet Explorer 3.0, Microsoft Corp

Microsoft Frontpage 1.1, Microsoft Corp

Netscape SuiteSpot, Netscape Communications Corporation

Oil Change, Cybermedia, Inc

Best Consumer Software Upgrade*;

Best upgraded program of the year designed for the consumer market

America Online 3.0, America Online

Encarta 97 Encyclopedia, Deluxe Edition, Microsoft Corp

First Aid '97, Cybermedia, Inc

Netscape Navigator 3.0 Personal Edition, Netscape Communications

Corporation

Quicken Financial Suite, Intuit, Inc

GENERAL

Best New Software Program of the Year;

Best new software program spanning all categories:

Airmedia Live!, Ex Machina, Inc

Internet Explorer 3.0, Microsoft Corp

Kurzweil VoicePad Pro Release 1.0, Kurzweil Applied Intelligence, Inc

LivePix, Live Pictures, Inc

Tomb Raider, Eidos Interactive

Best Debut of the Year;

Best initial product introduced by a small entrepreneurial company

Amber: Journey BeyondHue, Forest Entertainment

Children's IQ and Achievement Test, Virtual Knowledge

The Pink Panther's Passport to Peril, Wanderlust Interactive Inc

PrintPaks Create-A-Book Kit, PrintPaks, Inc

Smart Games Challenge 1, Smart Games, Inc

Best World Wide Web Site;

Best overall integration of content into a World Wide Web site

American Greetings World Wide Web Site

, Magnet Interactive Communications

National Geographic Society Online ,

National Geographic Society

Mayo Health O@sis (http://www.atthealthsite.com.) IVI Publishing

TuneUp.com Web Site , TuneUp.com

24 Hours in Cyberspace ,

Against All Odds Productions

Best World Wide Web Applet*;

Best client-side application implemented on the World Wide Web

Astound WebMotion, Astound, Inc

Batter vs Pitcher ,

Starwave Corporation

Egor Animator, Anawave Software

ScorePost ,

Starwave Corporation

Submit This!, Microrim

Best World Wide Web Plug-In*;

Best application created to enhance a World Wide Web browser's

capabilities

Astound Web Player, Astound, Inc

RealAudio Player, Progressive Networks

Shockwave, Macromedia

Top Gun Plug-in, 7th Level, Inc

VivoActive Player, Vivo Software, Inc

MULTIMEDIA AWARDS

Best Overall Multimedia Production;

Best overall directing, editing and manipulation of content in a

software program

Critical Mass: America's Race to Build the Atomic Bomb,

Corbis Corporation

FDR, Corbis Corporation

Muppets Inside, Starwave Corporation

The Pandora Directive, Access Software, Inc

Volcanoes: Life on the Edge, Corbis Corporation

Best Use of Live Performers In Multimedia;

Best utilization of professional or amateur performers

in a software program

Charlton Heston's Voyage Through the Bible - Old Testament,

Jones Digital Century, Inc

Microsoft Cinemania 97, Microsoft Corp

Star Trek: Deep Space Nine - Harbinger, Viacom New Media

The Sacred Mirror of Kofun, Enteractive, Inc

Willie, Graphix Zone

Best Use of Music or Sound in Multimedia;

Best utilization of music or sound elements in a software program

Devo Presents Adventures of the Smart Patrol, Inscape

Monty Python & The Quest for the Holy Grail, 7th Level, Inc

Piano Discovery KIDS, Jump! Music

Qin (ching); Tomb of the Middle Kingdom,

Time Warner Electronic Publishing

Richie Sambora: Interactive, GuitarEnteractive, Inc

Best Use of Visual Arts in Multimedia;

Best utilization of graphics, animation, 3-D or video elements

in a software program

Encarta 97 World Atlas, Microsoft Corp Deadly Tide, Microsoft Corp

Ideas and Inspirations, Microforum, Inc

Inventor Labs, Houghton Mifflin Interactive Corp

Leonardo da Vinci, Corbis Corporation

BUSINESS/HOME OFFICE SOFTWARE

Best Business Software Program*;

Best overall business software application of the year

Corel Office Professional 7, Corel Corporation

Crystal Reports Professional 5.0, Seagate Software Information

Management Group

Netscape SuiteSpot, Netscape Communications Corporation

ONYX Customer Center, ONYX Software Corp

Windows NT Workstation Operating System Version 4.0, Microsoft Corp

Best New Business Software Program;

Best new business software application of the year

AltaVista Search My Computer Private eXtension, Digital's Internet

Software Business Unit/AltaVista

Claris Home Page, Claris Corporation

Microsoft Outlook, Microsoft Corp

Peachtree Business Internet Suite, Peachtree Software

Window On WallStreet Deluxe Investor 5.0, Window on WallStreet, Inc

Best Niche Software Program;

Best new software application providing a specific business or education

management solution

Guerrilla Marketing, Houghton Mifflin Interactive Corp

Policies Now! Employee Handbook Plus, Knowlege Point

Road Trips Door-to-Door 1997 Edition, TravRoute Software

Wall Street Analyst Deluxe, Omega Research

Window On WallStreet Deluxe Investor 5.0, Window on WallStreet, Inc

Best Numeric or Data Business Software Program*;

Best business software application designed for numeric or data analysis

Analytica, Decisioneering, Inc

ARPEGGIO for the Desktop, Wall Data, Inc

Peachtree Complete Accounting for Windows, Peachtree Software

QuickBooks Pro 4.0, Intuit, Inc

Quicken Deluxe, Intuit, Inc

Best Text or Graphics Business Software Program;

Best business software application designed for text or graphics

manipulation

AAA Map'n'Go, DeLorme Mapping

Astound 4.0, Astound, Inc

Director Multimedia Studio 2, Macromedia

Masterclips, 01,000 Premium Image Collection, IMSI

Serif PagePlus 4, Allegro New Media

Best Programming Tool;

Best programming language or utility of the year

InstallShield Express Professional, InstallShield Corporation

Director Multimedia Studio 2, Macromedia

Optima++ Enterprise, Powersoft

ProtoGen+ Client/Server Suite, ProtoView Development

Visual SQL 4.2, Blue Sky Software Corporation

WinHelp Office 4.0 HTML Edition, Blue Sky Software Corporation

CONSUMER SOFTWARE AWARDS

Best New Consumer Software Program;

Best new consumer software application of the year

Adobe PhotoDeluxe, Adobe Systems, Inc

Math Heads, Theatrix Interactive

Microsoft Picture It!, Microsoft Corp

SoftWindows 95 for Power Macintosh, Insignia Solutions, Inc

Web Workshop, Vividus Corporation

Best Home Productivity Software Program;

Best new software application effectively assisting home projects or

household management

CollegeEdge 1997, Snap Technologies

Family TreeMaker Deluxe Edition II, Broderbund Software

Kiplinger TaxCut Deluxe Multimedia CD-ROM 1996 -- Planning Edition,

Block Financial

Microsoft Money 97, Microsoft Corp

Window on WallStreet Personal Investor 5.0, Window on WallStreet, Inc

Best Home Creativity Software Program;

Best new mass-market software application facilitating imaginative,

artistic or intellectual inventiveness

Claris Home Page, Claris Corporation

Gryphon Bricks, Gryphon Software Corp

Hollywood High, Theatrix Interactive

Invention Studio, Discovery Channel Multimedia

Print Artist 4.0, Sierra On-Line

GAME AWARDS

Best Adventure/Role-Playing Software Game;

Best new software application that engages the user in fantasy or

character enactment

The Elder Scrolls: Daggerfall, Bethesda Softworks

The Pandora Directive, Access Software, Inc

Tomb Raider, Eidos Interactive

Spycraft: The Great Game, Activistion, Inc

Zork Nemesis, Activistion, Inc

Best Arcade/Action Software Game;

Best new arcade/action software program of the year

Assassin -- 2015, Inscape

Descent 2, Interplay Productions

Hunter Hunted, Sierra On-Line

Rebel Assault II, LucasArts Entertainment Co

Shattered Steel, Interplay Productions

Best Simulation Software Program;

Best software application used to imitate a specific process for

entertainment purposes

A.D.A.M. Practice Practical, A.D.A.M. Software, Inc

Grand Prix II, Microprose - Spectrum HoloByte

Indy Car Racing II, Sierra On-Line

Links LS, Access Software, Inc

MultiPlayer Battle Tech: Solaris, Aries Online Games

Best Sports Software Game;

Best new software application that engages the user in a sports

entertainment

Grand Prix II, Microprose -- Spectrum HoloByte

Links LS, Access Software, Inc

NBA Full Court Press, Microsoft Corp

NHL Powerplay '96, Virgin Interactive Entertainment

VR Soccer 96, Interplay Productions

Best Strategy Software Game;

Best new software program enabling the user to plan, maneuver

and skillfully advance toward a goal

Civilization II, Microprose -- Spectrum HoloByte

Close Combat, Microsoft Corp

Monthy Python & The Quest for the Holy Grail, 7th Level, Inc

Robert E Lee: Civil War General, Sierra On-Line

Z. Virgin Interactive Entertainment

EDUTAINMENT AWARDS

Best Home Education for Young Children;

Best new educational software application designed for children

ages 6 and under

JumpStart Preschool Deluxe, Knowledge Adventure

Mighty Math Carnival Countdown, Edmark Corporation

Mighty Math Zoo Zillions, Edmark Corporation

Stellaluna, Living Books

World Tour, Headbone Interactive Inc

Best Home Education for Pre-Teens;

Best new educational software application designed

for children ages 7-12

ChessMates, Interplay Productions

Logical Journey of the Zoombinis, Broderbund Software

Microsoft Creative Writer 2, Microsoft Corp

Random House Kid's Encyclopedia, Random House Children's Media

SimTunes, Maxis

Best Home Education for Adolescents;

Best new educational software application designed for

children ages 13-17

College Advisor '97, the Princeton Review

Corel ChemLab, Corel Corporation

Inventor Labs, Houghton Mifflin Interactive Corp

Math Heads, Theatrix Interactive

Mighty Math Cosmic Geometry, Edmark Corporation

Best Home Education for Adults;

Best new educational software application designed for late adolescence

and continuing education (Ages 18 and up)

FDR, Corbis Corporation

Leonardo da Vinci, Corbis Corporation

Peterson Multimedia Guides; North American Birds,

Houghton Mifflin Interactive Corp

Typing Instructor, Deluxe CD, Individual Software Inc

Volcanoes: Life on the Edge, Corbis Corporation

SOFTWARE FOR SCHOOLS AWARDS

Best New Education Software Program;

Best new educational software application for use in schools

Exploring the Nardoo, Interactive Multimedia

Life's Greatest Mysteries, School Edition, A.D.A.M. Software, Inc

One Small Square: Seashore Education Edition, Virgin Sound and Vision

Sunburst's School Version of Web Workshop, Sunburst Communications

Tenth Planet Explores Primary Math: Geometry, Tenth Planet Explorations,

Inc

Best Education Software Upgrade*;

Best upgraded program of the year designed for the school market

A.D.A.M. The Inside Story, 1997 Edition, A.D.A.M. Software, Inc

EasyBook, Sunburst Communications

GeoSafari Multimedia Vol I Platinum Edition, Educational Insights

Interactive

Inside the SAT & ACT '97 Edition, The Princeton Review

Tenth Planet Explores Primary Math: Geometry Version 1.1, Tenth Planet

Explorations, Inc

Best Comprehensive School Software Program;

A comprehensive software program designed to provide full course work and

materials for a specific subject area

AccuCalc: A Comprehensive Dosage Calculations Learning System, Delmar

Publishers

A.D.A.M. Practice Practical, A.D.A.M. Software, Inc

Mathematics, Sofsource, Inc

The Write Stuff, Sunburst Communications

Writer's Solution, Prentice Hall, Inc

Best Curriculum Software for Early Education;

A software program providing partial-year course work designed to support

and enhance a specific area of learning (Preschool to Grade 5)

Graphers, Sunburst Communications

Neighborhood MapMachine, Tom Snyder Productions

The Ribbit Collection (Volumes 1-4), Little Planet Publishing

Story Web, McGraw-Hill School Interactive

Tenth Planet Explores Primary Math: Geometry, Tenth Planet Explorations,

Inc

Best Curriculum Software for Middle School;

A software program providing partial-year course work designed to support

and enhance a specific, area of learning (Grades 6-8)

In My Own Voice, Sunburst Communications

Life's Greatest Mysteries, School Edition, A.D.A.M. Software, Inc

Rainforest Researchers, Tom Snyder Productions

Sunburst's School Version of Web Workshop, Sunburst Communications

That's A Fact, Jack!, Follett Software Company

Best Curriculum Software for Secondary/Post Secondary Schools;

A software program providing partial-year course work designed to support

and enhance a specific area of learning. (Grades 9 and Up)

A.D.A.M. Practice Practical, A.D.A.M. Software, Inc

Differential Calculus, High Text Interactive

HIP Biology I and HIP Biology 2, Center for Image Processing in Education

His Name Was Lincoln, Sunburst Communications

Integral Calculus, High Text Interactive

*Upgrades Eligible SOURCE The Software Publishers Association