ONLINE SYSTEM SERVICES INC
POS AM, 1998-06-22
COMPUTER INTEGRATED SYSTEMS DESIGN
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<PAGE>
 
      As filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission on June 22, 1998

                                                     Registration No. 333-3282 D
================================================================================

                       SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                             WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549
                            -------------------------

                         POST-EFFECTIVE AMENDMENT NO. 1
                                  TO FORM SB-2
                                       ON
                                    FORM S-3

                             REGISTRATION STATEMENT
                                      UNDER
                           THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933
                            -------------------------

                          ONLINE SYSTEM SERVICES, INC.
               (Exact name of issuer as specified in its charter)


             Colorado                                     84-1293864
  (State or other jurisdiction              (I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)
of incorporation or organization)

                          1800 GLENARM PLACE, SUITE 700
                             DENVER, COLORADO 80202
                                  (303)296-9200
          (Address and telephone number of principal executive offices)
                            -------------------------

                                 R. Steven Adams
                          Online System Services, Inc.
                          1800 Glenarm Place, Suite 700
                             Denver, Colorado 80202
                                 (303) 296-9200
            (Name, address and telephone number of agent for service)

                                    Copy to:
                               Lindley S. Branson
                    Gray, Plant, Mooty, Mooty & Bennett, P.A.
                              33 South Sixth Street
                                3400 City Center
                          Minneapolis, Minnesota 55402
                                 (612) 343-2800

                            -------------------------

Approximate date of commencement of proposed sale to the public: As soon as
practicable after the effective date of this registration statement.

If the only securities being registered on this form are being offered pursuant
to dividend or reinvestment plans, please check the following box. [ ]

If any of the securities being registered on this form are to be offered on a
delayed or continuous basis pursuant to Rule 415 under the Securities Act of
1933, other than securities offered only in connection with dividend or interest
reinvestment plans, check the following box. [X]
<PAGE>
 
If this form is filed to register additional securities for an offering pursuant
to Rule 462(b) under the Securities Act, check the following box and list the
Securities Act registration statement number of earlier effective registration
statement for same offering. [ ] ____________________________________

If this form is a post-effective amendment filed pursuant to Rule 462(c) under
the Securities Act, check the following box and list the Securities Act
registration statement number of the earlier effective registration statement
for same offering. [ ] _________________________________________

If delivery of the prospectus is expected to be made pursuant to Rule 434,
please check the following box. [ ]

                         -------------------------------


THE REGISTRANT HEREBY AMENDS THIS REGISTRATION STATEMENT ON SUCH DATE OR DATES
AS MAY BE NECESSARY TO DELAY ITS EFFECTIVE DATE UNTIL THE REGISTRANT SHALL FILE
A FURTHER AMENDMENT WHICH SPECIFICALLY STATES THAT THIS REGISTRATION STATEMENT
SHALL THEREAFTER BECOME EFFECTIVE IN ACCORDANCE WITH SECTION 8(A) OF THE
SECURITIES ACT OF 1933 OR UNTIL THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT SHALL BECOME
EFFECTIVE ON SUCH DATE AS THE COMMISSION ACTING PURSUANT TO SAID SECTION 8(A),
MAY DETERMINE.


                       NOTE REGARDING POST-EFFECTIVE NO. 1

         This Post-Effective Amendment No. 1 to Form SB-2 Registration Statement
(Registration No. 333-3282 D) on Form S-3 by Online System Services, Inc. is
intended to cover the issuance of up to 797,500 shares of its common stock, no
par value, issuable upon the exercise of certain common stock purchase warrants
and certain options issued in connection with the Company's initial public
offering on May 23, 1996 and the issuance of up to 110,000 common stock purchase
warrants issuable upon the exercise of such options. The common stock and common
stock purchase warrants registered by this Post-Effective Amendment No. 1 were
initially registered under such Registration Statement.
<PAGE>
 
     Information contained herein is subject to completion or amendment. A
   registration statement relating to these securities has been filed with the
    Securities and Exchange Commission. These securities may not be sold nor
   may offers to buy be accepted prior to the time the registration statement
   becomes effective. This prospectus shall not constitute an offer to sell or
    the solicitation of an offer to buy nor shall there be any sale of these
   securities in any State in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be
    unlawful prior to registration or qualification under the securities laws
                               of any such State.
                                                         
                  SUBJECT TO COMPLETION, DATED JUNE 22, 1998

PROSPECTUS

                          ONLINE SYSTEM SERVICES, INC.
                                                         
                         797,500 SHARES OF COMMON STOCK
                                110,000 WARRANTS


         This Prospectus relates to (i) 632,500 shares of common stock, no par
value, of Online System Services, Inc. (the "Company" or "OSS"), issuable by the
Company upon the exercise of an aggregate of 1,265,000 common stock purchase
warrants issued by the Company in connection with its initial public offering on
May 23, 1996 (the "IPO Warrants"), (ii) 106,700 shares of common stock, no par
value, of the Company issuable upon the exercise of options to purchase common
stock and IPO Warrants issued by the Company to Cohig & Associates, Inc., the
representative of the underwriters involved in such initial public offering (the
"Representative's Options"), (iii) 106,700 IPO Warrants issuable upon the
exercise of the Representative's Options, (iv) 55,000 shares of common stock, no
par value, of the Company issuable upon the exercise of the IPO Warrants
referred to in (iii) above and (vi) below, (v) 3,300 shares of common stock
which may be sold from time to time by the Selling Shareholders, and (vi) 3,300
IPO Warrants which may be sold from time to time by the Selling Shareholders.
The IPO Warrants are exercisable during the three year period ending May 22,
1999. The Representative's Options are exercisable for the four year period
ending May 22, 2001.

         The Company's common stock and the IPO Warrants are traded on the
Nasdaq SmallCap Market under the symbols "WEBB" and "WEBBW", respectively. On
June 17, 1998, the last reported sale price of the Company's common stock and
the IPO Warrants, as reported on the Nasdaq Small Cap Market were $11.625 per
share and $2.625 per IPO Warrant, respectively. See "Market for Common Stock and
Related Stockholder Matters" and "Description of Securities."

                                _______________

THE SECURITIES OFFERED HEREBY ARE SPECULATIVE, INVOLVE A HIGH DEGREE OF RISK AND
 SHOULD NOT BE PURCHASED BY PERSONS WHO CANNOT AFFORD THE LOSS OF THEIR ENTIRE
                   INVESTMENT. SEE "RISK FACTORS" AT PAGE 6.

                                 _______________

 THESE SECURITIES HAVE NOT BEEN APPROVED OR DISAPPROVED BY THE SECURITIES AND 
      EXCHANGE COMMISSION (THE "SEC"), NOR HAVE THEY BEEN APPROVED BY THE 
       SECURITIES REGULATORY AUTHORITY OF ANY STATE. NEITHER THE SEC NOR 
            ANY REGULATORY AUTHORITY HAVE PASSED UPON THE ACCURACY 
              OR ADEQUACY OF THIS PROSPECTUS. ANY REPRESENTATION 
                    TO THE CONTRARY IS A CRIMINAL OFFENSE. 

         Two IPO Warrants entitle the holder thereof to purchase one share of
common stock at a price of $9.00 per share. The Representative's Options to
purchase common stock entitle the holder thereof to purchase an aggregate total
of 106,700 shares of common stock at $8.10 per share. The Representative's
Options to purchase IPO Warrants entitle the holder thereof to purchase an
aggregate total of 106,700 IPO Warrants at $.001 per IPO Warrant. Each two IPO
Warrants issuable upon the exercise of the Representative's Options and each two
IPO Warrants beneficially owned by the Selling Shareholders entitle the holder
thereof to purchase one share of common
<PAGE>
 
stock at a price of $9.00 per share. If the IPO Warrants (including the IPO
Warrants issuable upon the exercise of the Representative's Options and the IPO
Warrants beneficially owned by the Selling Shareholders), the Representative's
Option to purchase common stock, and the Representative's Option to purchase IPO
Warrants are all exercised in full for a cash payment to the Company, the
Company will receive an aggregate total of $7,051,877 (before deducting expenses
of the filing and preparation of the Registration Statement relating to this
Prospectus estimated to be $20,000, all of which expenses will be paid by the
Company). However, the exercise price payable upon the exercise of the IPO
Warrants is payable, at the option of the holder thereof, by the surrender of
IPO Warrants having a value equal to the difference between the exercise price
an the average of the current market prices of the common stock for the 20
consecutive trading days commencing 21 trading days before the IPO Warrant is
tendered for exchange (a "cashless exercise"). If a holder of IPO Warrants
elects to exercise his or her IPO Warrants pursuant to this "cashless exercise"
the Company will not receive any cash proceeds from such exercise.

                 The date of this Prospectus is June   , 1998.

                                       2
<PAGE>
 
                              AVAILABLE INFORMATION

         The Company is subject to the information requirements of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the "Exchange Act") and in accordance therewith
files reports, proxy or information statements and other information with the
Securities and Exchange Commission (the "Commission"). Such reports, proxy
statements and other information can be inspected and copied at the public
reference facilities maintained by the Commission at Judiciary Plaza, Room 1024,
450 Fifth Street, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20549, and at its regional offices
located at 500 West Madison, Suite 1400, Chicago, Illinois 60661 and Seven World
Trade Center, Suite 1300, New York, New York 10048. Copies of such material can
also be obtained at prescribed rates from the Public Reference Section of the
Commission at Judiciary Plaza, 450 Fifth Street, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20549.
Copies of such material can also be obtained through the Web site maintained by
the Commission located at http://www.sec.gov.

         The Company has filed with the Commission a Registration Statement on
Form S-3 under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Act"), with respect
to the securities offered hereby. This Prospectus omits certain information
included in such Registration Statement. For further information about the
Company and its securities, reference is made to such Registration Statement and
to the exhibits filed as part thereof or otherwise incorporated therein. Each
summary in this Prospectus of information included in the Registration Statement
or any exhibit thereto is qualified in its entirety by this reference to such
information or exhibit.


                 INCORPORATION OF CERTAIN DOCUMENTS BY REFERENCE

         The following documents, which have been filed by the Company with the
Commission pursuant to the Exchange Act (File No. 0-28462), are incorporated by
reference in this registration statement:

                  (a) The Company's Annual Report on Form 10-KSB, as amended,
         for the year ended December 31, 1997.

                  (b) The Company's Quarterly Report on Form 10-QSB for the
         quarter ended March 31, 1998.

                  (c) The description of the Company's Common Stock contained in
         the Company's Registration Statement on Form 8-A, as amended, filed
         under the Exchange Act on May 22, 1996.

         All documents subsequently filed by the Company with the Commission
pursuant to Sections 13(a), 13(c), 14 and 15(d) of the Exchange Act, prior to
the filing of a post-effective amendment that indicates that all securities
offered have been sold or that deregisters all securities then remaining unsold,
shall be deemed to be incorporated by reference herein and to be a part hereof
from the date of filing such documents.

         Any statement contained herein or in a document incorporated or deemed
to be incorporated by reference herein shall be deemed to be modified or
superseded for purposes of this Prospectus to the extent that a statement
contained herein, or in any other subsequently filed document which also is or
is deemed to be incorporated by reference herein, modifies or supersedes such
document. Any such statement so modified or superseded shall not be deemed,
except as so modified or superseded, to constitut a part of this Prospectus.

         The Company undertakes to provide without charge to each person,
including any beneficial owner, to whom a Prospectus is delivered, upon written
or oral request of such person, a copy of any and all of the information that
has been incorporated by reference in this Prospectus. Requests may be directed
to Thomas S. Plunkett, Chief Financial Officer, Online System Services, Inc.,
1800 Glenarm Place, Suite 700, Denver, Colorado 80202. The Company's phone
number is (303) 296-9200.

                                       3
<PAGE>
 
                                   THE COMPANY

         Online System Services, Inc. (the "Company" or "OSS") develops, markets
and supports products and services that enable broadband operators to provide
high-speed Internet access to their customers. The Company's objective is to
partner with cable television companies (wired and wireless), telephone
companies and other broadband operators, both domestically and internationally,
to create online communities that drive commerce and communications. The
Company's I2U(TM) software further permits the broadband operators to offer a
wide range of online services. The broadband operator, its subscribers and local
merchants can develop and update local content on the Internet. The local
content portion of I2U promotes the sharing of local information and the
fostering of e-commerce and e-banking through data-based Internet Web sites. A
time-saving and cost advantage to the broadband operators from the use of the
Company's software is that a significant portion of the local content is
generated by the people actually using the Internet, thus enhancing content
quality and developing a commitment to the local community of Internet Web
sites.

         Prior to the quarter ended September 30, 1997, the Company's focus
generally was on three markets: general Web site development, maintenance and
hosting; rural or small market Internet service providers ("ISPs"); and
healthcare information services and continuing medical education ("CME"). These
activities were divided into three separate units early in fiscal 1997, the
Business Resource Group ("BRG") for Web site-related activities; Community
Access America ("CAA") for the ISP activities; and Healthcare for the CME and
healthcare information activities.

         Each of these activities involved in varying degrees the establishment
of online communities. As an outgrowth of the Company's BRG and CAA activities,
and in recognition of the need to increase the availability of high-speed
Internet access, the Company's focus during fiscal 1997 increasingly was on the
development of online communities for broadband (high bandwidth or high data
transmission capabilities) operators such as cable TV operators (wired and
wireless) who the Company believes are in the best position today to provide
high-speed Internet access. This focus has resulted in the introduction of the
Company's I2U (formerly "CAP" or "Community Access Partnership") products and
services which include a wide range of online services which enable operators
and operators' customers to generate online local content, create Web pages and
conduct online commerce and banking and a turnkey product and service package
which provides the equipment, training and systems necessary for the broadband
operator to become a fully operational ISP. The Company intends to focus its
future efforts primarily on its I2U products and services.

         During November 1997, the Company announced to its customers that it
was terminating Web site development, maintenance and hosting activities and
began to transition this business to other companies. OSS is ceasing Web site
development activities which are not related to the development of products for
its I2U products and services or which do not involve the creation of online
communities for particular businesses or information purposes. In addition,
during October 1997, the Company licensed its MD Gateway Web site to Medical
Education Collaborative ("MEC") and is no longer developing products for the
healthcare market. In the future, revenues from the healthcare market are
expected to be limited to license fees received from MEC in connection with the
use of MD Gateway.

         On March 19, 1998, the Company executed an Agreement and Plan of Merger
pursuant to which the Company agreed to acquire Durand Communications, Inc.
("DCI") in exchange for up to 971,250 shares of the Company's common stock (the
"DCI Merger"). DCI develops and markets Internet "community" building tools and
services; training in the use of these tools and services; and online service
for hosting these communities. The information regarding DCI included in this
Prospectus has been provided by DCI. See "Recent Developments--DCI Acquisition."

         On May 22, 1998, the Company issued 3,000 shares of its 5% Preferred
Stock (the "5% Preferred Stock") in a private placement offering of such stock.
In connection with such offering, the Company issued warrants to purchase up to
100,000 shares of its common stock at $16.33 per share. The Company received
$3,000,000 in gross proceeds from such offering. The Company intends to use such
proceeds for general working capital purposes. See "Risk Factors--Ability to
Issue Common Stock and Preferred Stock; Anti-Takeover Devices," "Risk Factors--
Affect of Issuance of 10% Preferred Stock and 5% Preferred Stock on Net Loss,"
and "Risk Factors--No Dividends."

         On June 5, 1998, the Company executed an Agreement and Plan of Merger
pursuant to which the Company agreed to acquire Skyconnect, Inc. ("Skyconnect")
in consideration for 1,100,000 shares of the Company's common stock, the
assumption of approximately $8,500,000 in liabilities of Skyconnect, and the
issuance of warrants

                                       4
<PAGE>
 
representing the right to acquire 250,000 shares of the Company's common stock
at the initial exercise price of $18.00 per share (the "Skyconnect Merger").
Skyconnect is a leading provider of software-based products that manage, store,
and distribute digital video for cable television operators. The information
regarding Skyconnect in this Prospectus has been provided by Skyconnect. See
"Recent Developments--Skyconnect Acquisition."

                                       5
<PAGE>
 
                                  RISK FACTORS

         THE SECURITIES OFFERED HEREBY ARE HIGHLY SPECULATIVE, INVOLVE A HIGH
DEGREE OF RISK AND SHOULD BE PURCHASED ONLY BY PERSONS WHO CAN AFFORD THE LOSS
OF THEIR ENTIRE INVESTMENT. PROSPECTIVE INVESTORS SHOULD CAREFULLY CONSIDER THE
FOLLOWING RISKS AND SPECULATIVE FACTORS INHERENT IN AND AFFECTING THE BUSINESS
OF THE COMPANY, AS WELL AS ALL OF THE OTHER MATTERS SET FORTH ELSEWHERE IN THE
PROSPECTUS, PRIOR TO THE PURCHASE OF ANY OF THE SECURITIES OFFERED HEREBY.

CAUTIONARY STATEMENTS

         The following cautionary statements are made pursuant to the Private
Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 in order for the Company to avail
itself of the "safe harbor" provisions of that Act. The discussions and
information in this Prospectus may contain both historical and forward-looking
statements. To the extent that the Prospectus contains forward-looking
statements regarding the financial condition, operating results, business
prospects or any other aspect of the Company, prospective investors should be
aware that the Company's actual financial condition, operating results and
business performance may differ materially from that projected or estimated by
the Company in forward-looking statements. The Company has attempted to
identify, in context, certain of the factors that it currently believes may
cause actual future experience and results to differ from the Company's current
expectations. The differences may be caused by a variety of factors, including
but not limited to adverse economic conditions, intense competition, including
entry of new competitors, adverse federal, state and local government
regulation, inadequate capital, unexpected costs, lower sales and net income (or
higher net losses) than forecasted, price increases for equipment, inability to
raise prices, failure to obtain new customers, the possible fluctuation and
volatility of the Company's operating results and financial condition, inability
to carry out marketing and sales plans, loss of key executives, and other
specific risks that may be alluded to in this Prospectus or in other reports
issued by the Company.

RISKS RELATED TO THE COMPANY

         LIMITED OPERATING HISTORY; ACCUMULATED LOSSES. The Company was founded
in March 1994, commenced sales in February 1995 and was in the development stage
through December 31, 1995. Accordingly, the Company has only a limited operating
history upon which an evaluation of the Company and its prospects can be based.
The Company's prospects must be considered in light of the risks, expenses and
difficulties frequently encountered by companies in their early stage of
development, particularly companies in new and rapidly evolving markets. To
address these risks, the Company must, among other things, respond to
competitive developments, continue to attract, retain and motivate qualified
persons, and continue to upgrade and commercialize products and services. There
can be no assurance that the Company will be successful in addressing such
risks. The Company has incurred net losses since inception totaling $6,974,392
through March 31, 1998.

         ADDITIONAL ANTICIPATED LOSSES. OSS currently intends to increase its
capital expenditures and operating expenses in order to expand its I2U products
and services and to support additional subscribers of OSS' broadband customers
in future markets and to market and provide the Company's products and services
to a growing number of potential subscribers. As a result, the Company expects
to incur additional substantial operating and net losses for the balance of
fiscal 1998 and for one or more fiscal years thereafter. The profit potential
for the Company's I2U business model is unproven, and to be successful, the
Company must, among other things, develop and market products and services that
are widely accepted by consumers and businesses at prices that will create a
profit. The Company's I2U products and services have only recently been launched
and there can be no assurance that they will achieve broad consumer or
commercial acceptance. The success of the Company's I2U products and service
will depend upon the willingness of subscribers of the Company's broadband
customers to pay monthly fees and installation costs of the Internet service,
both of which will be set by local broadband operators. In addition, since a
significant portion of the Company's future sales are expected to be transaction
based, the success of the Company's I2U products and services may also be
dependent upon the extent to which consumers and businesses conduct e-commerce
and e-banking. Accordingly, it is difficult to predict whether OSS' pricing
model will prove to be viable, whether demand for the Company's products and
services will materialize at the prices the Company expects the broadband
operators to charge or whether current or future pricing levels will be
sustainable. If such pricing levels are not achieved or sustained or if the
Company's products and services do not achieve or sustain broad market
acceptance, the Company's business, operating results and financial condition
will be materially adversely affected. OSS' ability to generate future sales
will be dependent on a number of factors, many of which are beyond the Company's
control, including, among others, the success of broadband operators in
marketing Internet services to subscribers in their local areas, the extent that
subscribers conduct online e-commerce and e-banking transactions

                                       6
<PAGE>
 
and the prices that the broadband operators set for Internet services. Because
of the foregoing factors, among others, OSS is unable to forecast its sales with
any degree of accuracy. There can also be no assurance that the Company will
ever achieve profitability. In addition, if the DCI Merger and the Skyconnect
Merger are consummated, the portion of the purchase price for DCI and Skyconnect
which are allocated to in-process research and development, estimated to be $11
million for DCI and estimated to be $14 million for Skyconnect, will be
recognized in the fiscal period of OSS that the Mergers are consummated. In the
event of the Mergers, OSS' net loss for the year ending December 31, 1998, will
therefore be increased by up to $25 million. In connection with the Mergers, the
Company will also record goodwill and other intangible assets estimated to be
$4.3 million which will be amortized over the estimated useful life of three
years. The amortization of the balance of the goodwill and other intangible
assets to be acquired in the Mergers will increase OSS' expenses by an estimated
$350,000 for fiscal 1998, $1,400,000 for fiscal 1999 and 2000 and $1,150,000 for
fiscal 2001. In addition, DCI and Skyconnect, which had accumulated deficits of
($6,833,187) at December 31, 1997 for DCI and ($31,499,847) at March 31, 1998
for Skyconnect, respectively, have incurred net losses in each of their
respective fiscal years since their formation. There can be no assurance that
the acquisition of either DCI or Skyconnect will ever make a positive
contribution to OSS' results of operations.

         INCREASED NEED FOR WORKING CAPITAL. OSS believes that its cash and cash
equivalents and working capital will be adequate to sustain operations only to
September 1998. The acquisition of DCI, if consummated, is expected to increase
monthly working capital needs by approximately $130,000 for at least the balance
of the fiscal year ending December 31, 1998. In addition, if the Company is
required to redeem the 5% Preferred Stock, such redemption could have a
materially adverse effect on the Company's ability to maintain an adequate
amount of working capital. See "Ability to Issue Common Stock and Preferred
Stock; Anti-Takeover Devices." OSS has entered into a letter of intent with an
underwriter for a secondary offering of its securities for proceeds of $15-20
million, which is expected to occur during the third or fourth quarter of 1998.
OSS estimates that it needs to raise $25 million or more through equity, debt or
other external financing, to implement its business development plan. There can
be no assurance that OSS will be able to complete such offerings in amounts
required by OSS or upon terms acceptable to OSS. In its report accompanying the
audited financial statements for the years ended December 31, 1997 and 1996, the
Company's auditor, Arthur Andersen LLP, expressed substantial doubt about the
Company's ability to continue as a going concern.

         NEW AND UNCERTAIN MARKETS. The market for Internet products and
services has only recently developed. Since this market is relatively new and
because current and future competitors are likely to introduce competing
Internet products and services, it is difficult to predict the rate at which the
market will grow or at which new or increased competition will result in market
saturation. If the Internet markets fail to grow, grow more slowly than
anticipated or become saturated with competitors, the Company's business,
including the business of DCI and Skyconnect that will be acquired if the
Mergers are consummated, operating results and financial condition will be
materially adversely affected.

         PRODUCT DEVELOPMENT; TECHNOLOGICAL CHANGE. The Company's success
depends upon its ability to develop new products and services that meet changing
customer requirements. The market for the Company's products and services is
characterized by rapidly changing technology, evolving industry standards,
emerging competition and frequent new product and service introductions. There
can be no assurance that the Company can successfully identify new product and
service opportunities or develop and bring new products and services to market
in a timely manner, or that products and services or technologies developed by
others will not render the Company's products, services, and technologies,
including the products and services and technologies of DCI and Skyconnect that
will be acquired if the Mergers are consummated, noncompetitive or obsolete.

         GENERAL RISKS OF BUSINESS. The Company has formulated its business
plans and strategies based on the rapidly increasing size of the Internet
markets, the Company's anticipated participation in those markets, and the
estimated sales cycle, price and acceptance of the Company's products and
services. Although these assumptions are based on the best estimates of
management, there can be no assurance that these assumptions will prove to be
correct. No independent marketing studies have been conducted on behalf of or
otherwise obtained by the Company, either with respect to its current business
or the business, products and technologies of DCI and Skyconnect that will be
acquired if the Mergers are consummated, nor are any such studies planned. Any
future success that the Company might enjoy will depend upon many factors
including some beyond the control of the Company or that it cannot predict at
this time.

         INTENSE COMPETITION. The market for Internet products and services is
highly competitive and the Company expects that this competition will intensify
in the future. The Company's current and prospective competitors include many
companies that have substantially greater financial, technical, marketing and
other resources than the

                                       7
<PAGE>
 
Company. Increased competition could result in price reductions and increased
spending on marketing, sales and product development. Any of these events could
have a materially adverse effect on the Company's financial condition and
operating results. Many nationally known companies and regional and local
companies across the country are involved in Internet applications and the
number of competitors is growing. The Company will also compete with broadband
companies who are developing their own Internet access and content and the
internal departments of prospective customers who are choosing whether to
outsource Internet-related activities or retain or develop that function
in-house. Customers who desire to outsource these services may desire to work
with companies larger than OSS. Increased competition could result in
significant price competition, which in turn could result in significant
reductions in the average selling price of the Company's products and services.
There is no assurance that the Company will be able to offset the effects of any
such price reductions through an increase in the number of its customers, higher
sales from enhanced services, cost reductions or otherwise. Increased
competition or price reductions could adversely affect the Company's operating
results. There is no assurance that the Company will have the financial
resources, technical expertise or marketing, sales and support capabilities to
continue to compete successfully.

         LIMITED AVAILABILITY OF PROPRIETARY PROTECTION. The Company does not
believe that its current products or services, or the products or services of
DCI and Skyconnect that will be acquired if the Mergers are consummated, are
patentable. The Company relies on a combination of copyright, trade secret and
trademark laws, and nondisclosure and other contractual provisions to protect
its proprietary rights. Notwithstanding these safeguards, it may be possible for
competitors of the Company to imitate the Company's, DCI's and Skyconnect's
products and services or to develop independently competing products and
services.

         LENGTH OF SALES CYCLE. The decision to enter the Internet services
provisioning business and the development and implementation of interactive Web
sites are often enterprise-wide decisions by prospective customers and may
require the Company to engage in lengthy sales cycles. The pursuit of sales
leads typically involves an analysis of the prospective customer's needs,
preparation of a written proposal, one or more presentations and contract
negotiations. The Company often provides significant education to prospective
customers regarding the use and benefits of Internet technologies and products.
While the sales cycle varies from customer to customer, it typically has ranged
from one to three months for I2U projects. The sales cycle may also be subject
to a prospective customer's budgetary constraints and internal acceptance
reviews, over which the Company has little or no control. Consequently, if sales
forecasted from a specific customer for a particular quarter are not realized in
that quarter, the Company is unlikely to be able to generate revenue from
alternate sources in time to compensate for the shortfall. If a larger order is
delayed or lost to a competitor, the Company's revenues for that quarter could
be materially diminished. Moreover, to the extent that significant sales occur
earlier than expected, operating results for subsequent quarters may be
adversely affected. A significant portion of the Company's future sales are
expected to come from Internet access fees paid by subscribers of the Company's
broadband operator customers and in connection with e-commerce and e-banking
transactions these subscribers conduct on the broadband operators' systems. OSS
expects that it may take broadband operators several months or more to market
and sell high-speed Internet access to their subscribers and that it will take
even longer for these subscribers to conduct significant e-commerce or e-banking
transactions. For these reasons, OSS does not expect to realize significant
sales, if at all, from these activities until a significant time after OSS has
licensed its I2U products and services to broadband operators.

         DEPENDENCE ON KEY PERSONNEL; ABSENCE OF EMPLOYMENT AND NONCOMPETITION
AGREEMENTS. The Company is highly dependent on the technical and management
skills of its key employees, including in particular R. Steven Adams, the
Company's founder, President and Chief Executive Officer. The loss of Mr. Adams'
services could have a material adverse effect on the Company's business and
operating results. The Company has not entered into employment agreements with
Mr. Adams, or any of its other officers or employees and has not purchased key
person insurance for Mr. Adams or any other member of management. The Company
generally enters into written nondisclosure and nonsolicitation agreements with
its officers and employees which restrict the use and disclosure of proprietary
information and the solicitation of customers for the purpose of selling
competing products or services. Thus, if any of the Company's officers or key
employees left the Company, they could compete with the Company, so long as they
di not solicit the Company's customers, which could have a material adverse
effect on the Company's business. The Company's future success also depends in
part on its ability to identify, hire and retain additional personnel, including
key product development, sales, marketing, financial and executive personnel.
Competition for such personnel is intense and there is no assurance that the
Company can identify or hire additional qualified personnel. In addition, the
success of the DCI Merger, if consummated is highly dependent on the technical
and management skills of Andre Durand, the founder, President and CEO of DCI and
of the Skyconnect

                                       8
<PAGE>
 
Merger, if consummated, is highly dependent on the skills of Michael Pohl,
President of Skyconnect. The loss of Mr. Durand's services could have a material
adverse affect on the value of the DCI Merger, and the loss of Michael Pohl's
services could have a material adverse affect on the value of the Skyconnect
Merger. The DCI Merger is contingent on Mr. Durand entering into a three-year
non-compete agreement with OSS, and the Skyconnect Merger is contingent upon Mr.
Pohl entering into a one-year employment and noncompete agreement with the
Company.

         MANAGEMENT OF GROWTH. The Company has and expects to continue to
experience significant growth in the number of its employees, the scope of its
operating and financial systems, and the geographic area of its operations,
including an expansion of its recently initiated international operations. This
growth will result in new and increased responsibilities for both existing and
new management personnel. In addition, as the Company expands its I2U products
and services, it will be necessary to hire additional employees who will be
located at many widely separated offices, including international offices. The
Company's success depends on the ability of its managers to operate effectively,
both independently and as a group. The Company's ability to effectively manage
any such growth will require it to continue to implement and improve its
operational, financial and management information systems and to train, motivate
and manage its employees. This will require the addition of new management
personnel and the development of additional expertise by existing management.
There can be no assurance that the Company's management or other resources will
be sufficient to manage any future growth in the Company's business or that the
Company will be able to implement in whole or in part its growth strategy, and
any failure to do so could have a material adverse effect on the Company's
operating results.

         POTENTIAL FLUCTUATIONS IN QUARTERLY RESULTS. As a result of the
Company's limited operating history and the recent increased focus on its I2U
products and services, the Company does not have historical financial data for a
sufficient number of periods on which to base planned operating expenses.
Accordingly, the Company's expense levels are based in part on its expectations
as to future sales and to a large extent are fixed. The Company typically
operates with little backlog and the sales cycles for its products and services
may vary significantly. As a result, quarterly sales and operating results
generally depend on the volume and timing of and ability to close customer
contracts within the quarter, which are difficult to forecast. The Company may
be unable to adjust spending in a timely manner to compensate for any unexpected
sales shortfalls. Accordingly, any significant shortfall of demand for the
Company's products and services in relation to the Company's expectations would
have an immediate adverse effect on the Company's business, operating results
and financial condition. In addition, since a significant portion of the
Company's future sales are expected to be based on Internet access fees and
e-commerce and e-banking activities, OSS does not expect to realize significant
sales, if at all, from these activities until a significant time after OSS has
licensed its I2U products and services to broadband operators. Further, the
Company plans to increase its operating expenses to fund product development and
increase sales and marketing. To the extent that such expenses precede or are
not subsequently followed by increased sales, the Company's business, operating
results and financial condition will be materially adversely affected.

         SECURITY RISKS. The Company's software and equipment are vulnerable to
computer viruses or similar disruptive problems caused by OSS customers or other
Internet users. Computer viruses or problems caused by third parties could lead
to interruptions, delays or cessation in service to the Company's customers.
Furthermore, inappropriate use of the Internet by third parties could also
potentially jeopardize the security of confidential information stored in the
computer systems of the Company's customers. The Company has information
technology insurance which provides limited coverage for losses caused by
computer viruses. However, certain losses resulting from misuse of software or
equipment by third parties or losses from computer viruses which exceed the
liability limits under such insurance may not be protected. Although the Company
attempts to limit its liability to customers for these types of risks through
contractual provisions, there is no assurance that these limitations will be
enforceable.

         DEPENDENCE ON THE INTERNET. Sales of the Company's Internet related
products and services will depend in large part upon a robust industry and
infrastructure for providing Internet access and carrying Internet traffic. The
Internet may not prove to be a viable commercial marketplace because of
inadequate development of the necessary infrastructure, such as a reliable
network backbone or timely development of complementary products. Because global
commerce and online exchange of information on the Internet and other similar
open wide area networks are new and evolving, it is difficult to predict with
any assurance whether the Internet will prove to be a viable commercial
marketplace. There can be no assurance that the infrastructure or complementary
products necessary to make the Internet a viable commercial marketplace will be
developed, or, if developed, that the Internet will become a viable commercial
marketplace. If the necessary infrastructure or complementary products are not
developed, or if

                                       9
<PAGE>
 
the Internet does not become a viable commercial marketplace, the Company's
business, operating results and financial condition will be materially impaired.

         LIMITATION OF DIRECTORS' LIABILITY. The Company's Articles of
Incorporation provide, as permitted by Colorado law, that its directors shall
have no personal liability for certain breaches of their fiduciary duties to the
Company. This provision may reduce the likelihood of derivative litigation
against directors and may discourage shareholders from bringing a lawsuit
against directors for a breach of their duty. In addition, the Company's Bylaws
provide for mandatory indemnification of directors and officers to the fullest
extent permitted by Colorado law.

         POSSIBLE VOLATILITY OF STOCK PRICES; PENNY STOCK RULES. The
over-the-counter markets for securities such as the Company's common stock and
IPO Warrants historically have experienced extreme price and volume fluctuations
during certain periods. These broad market fluctuations and other factors, such
as new product developments and trends in the Company's industry and the
investment markets generally, as well as economic conditions and quarterly
variations in the Company's results of operations, may adversely affect the
market price of the Company's common stock. Although the common stock and IPO
Warrants are listed on the Nasdaq Small Cap Market, there can be no assurance
that they will remain eligible to be included on Nasdaq. In the event that the
Company's common stock and IPO Warrants were no longer eligible for quotation on
Nasdaq, the common stock and IPO Warrants could become subject to rules adopted
by the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "Commission") regulating
broker-dealer practices in connection with transactions in "penny stocks." If
the Company's common stock or IPO Warrants became subject to the penny stock
rules, many brokers may be unwilling to engage in transactions in the Company's
securities because of the added regulation, thereby making it more difficult for
purchasers in this Offering to dispose of their securities.

         CONTROL BY EXISTING MANAGEMENT. As of May 31, 1998, the current
officers and directors of the Company own beneficially approximately 33% of the
Company's outstanding common stock. Accordingly, it should be anticipated that
the current executive officers and directors of the Company will continue to
have the ability to significantly influence the outcome of elections of the
Company's directors and other matters presented to a vote of shareholders.

         SHARES ELIGIBLE FOR FUTURE SALE. Approximately 1,130,000 of the
currently outstanding shares of the Company's common stock are "restricted
securities," as defined under the Securities Act of 1933 ("Securities Act") and
the rules and regulations thereunder. Restricted shares and shares of the
Company's common stock owned by "affiliates" may be publicly sold only by
complying with Rule 144 under the Securities Act unless further registered under
the Securities Act, or some other exemption from further registration thereunder
is available. Sales of substantial amounts of these shares, or even the
potential for such sales, could have an adverse effect on the market price for
shares of the Company's common stock or IPO Warrants, and could impair the
ability of purchasers of the securities covered hereby to resell them to recoup
their investment or make a profit, and the Company's ability to raise capital
through the sale of its equity securities.

         RIGHTS TO ACQUIRE SHARES. The following warrants and options to acquire
common stock were outstanding as of May 31, 1998: (i) options and warrants to
purchase 1,406,500 shares of the Company's common stock issuable upon exercise
of such options and warrants, exercisable at prices ranging from $0.50 to $15.00
per share, with a weighted average exercise price of approximately $4.75 per
share, (ii) IPO Warrants to purchase 634,150 shares of the Company's common
stock issuable upon exercise of the IPO Warrants at an exercise price of $9.00
per share, (iii) the Representative's Option to purchase 106,700 shares of the
Company's common stock issuable upon exercise of the Representative's Option at
a purchase price of $8.10 per share and (iv) the Representative's Option to
purchase 106,700 IPO Warrants issuable upon exercise of the Representative's
Option at a purchase price of $.001 per IPO Warrant. The IPO Warrants referred
to in (iv) above entitle the holder thereof to purchase up to 53,350 shares of
the Company's common stock issuable upon exercise of such IPO Warrants at an
exercise price of $9.00 per share. During the terms of the outstanding options
and warrants, the holders thereof will have the opportunity to profit from an
increase in the market price of the Company's common stock with resulting
dilution to the holders of common stock who purchased shares for a price higher
than the respective exercise price. The existence of such stock options and
warrants may adversely affect the terms o which the Company can obtain
additional financing, and the holders of such options or warrants can be
expected to exercise or convert those securities at a time when the Company, in
all likelihood, would be able to obtain additional capital by offering shares of
its common stock on terms more favorable to the Company than those provided by
the exercise or conversion of such options or warrants.

                                       10
<PAGE>
 
         POSSIBLE DILUTION TO OSS SHAREHOLDERS CAUSED BY THE DCI MERGER AND THE
SKYCONNECT MERGER. If the DCI Merger and the Skyconnect Merger are consummated,
the Mergers will result in an increase in the Company's outstanding shares of
Common Stock by approximately 2,070,000 shares (approximately 62%). The Company,
on a pro forma basis, estimates that the issuance of such shares of common stock
would have resulted in a decrease to the Company's net book value per share as
of March 31, 1998 from $1.14 (actual) to $.71 (estimated pro forma). In
addition, in connection with the Mergers, OSS will be required to reserve
approximately 330,000 shares of its common stock for issuance upon exercise or
conversion of outstanding options, warrants and convertible securities of OSS
which will be issued to replace similar securities of DCI in connection with the
Mergers. There can be no assurance that OSS' results of operations will be
improved enough, if at all, as a result of the either the DCI Merger or the
Skyconnect Merger, to offset possible future dilution which could occur to
current shareholders of OSS in the event that OSS' operations achieve
profitability.

         ABILITY TO ISSUE COMMON STOCK AND PREFERRED STOCK; ANTI-TAKEOVER
DEVICES. The Company is authorized to issue up to 10,000,000 shares of common
stock and 5,000,000 shares of preferred stock in one or more series, the terms
of which may be determined at the time of issuance by the Board of Directors,
without further action by the Company's shareholders, and may include voting
rights, preferences as to dividends and liquidation, conversion and redemptive
rights and sinking fund provisions. As of May 31, 1998, the Board of Directors
has authorized the issuance of up to 500,000 shares of 10% Preferred Stock (the
"10% Preferred Stock"), of which 267,500 shares were outstanding as of May 31,
1998, and the Board of Directors has authorized the issuance of up to 3,000
shares of 5% Preferred Stock, of which 3,000 shares were outstanding as of May
31, 1998. If not redeemed by the Company on or before October 1, 1998, then each
share of the outstanding 10% Preferred Stock becomes convertible, at the
election of the holder thereof, into the number of shares of common stock of the
Company equal to $10.00 divided by the lesser of (i) $10.00 or (ii) 80% of the
average per share closing bid price of the Company's common stock for the five
trading days immediately preceding the election by the holder thereof. In
addition, upon any redemption or conversion of the 10% Preferred Stock, the
Company may pay dividends owing on the 10% Preferred Stock either (i) in cash,
or (ii) by issuing additional shares of common stock utilizing a price per share
equal to the lesser of (a) $10.00 or (b) if a redemption or a conversion
occurring in connection with the receipt of a notice of redemption, the average
per share closing bid price for the five trading days immediately preceding the
date on which notice of such redemption is first given to the holders of the 10%
Preferred Stock, or, if a conversion occurring without connection to the receipt
of a notice of redemption, the average per share closing bid price of the
Company common stock for the five trading days immediately preceding the
election to convert by the holder of the 10% Preferred Stock. Each share of the
outstanding 5% Preferred Stock is convertible, at any time at the election of
the holder thereof, into the number of shares of common stock of the Company
equal to $1,000.00 plus the amount of any accrued and unpaid dividends the
Company elects to pay in common stock divided by the lesser of (i) $16.33 or
(ii) 86% of the average per share closing bid price of the Company's common
stock for the five trading days immediately preceding the date on which the
holder thereof elects to convert such 5% Preferred Stock. The Company may redeem
the 5% Preferred Stock at any time prior to September 19, 1998. If, upon the
conversion of the 5% Preferred Stock, the number of shares of common stock of
the Company issued upon such conversion is equal to 574,281 shares, the Company
must redeem all of the then remaining outstanding shares of 5% Preferred Stock.
Although the Company has no present plans to issue any other shares of preferred
stock, the issuance of preferred stock in the future could affect the rights of
the holders of common stock and thereby reduce the value of common stock. In
particular, specific rights granted to future holders of preferred stock could
be used to restrict the Company's ability to merge with or sell its assets to a
third party, or otherwise delay, discourage, or prevent a change in control of
the Company.

         AFFECT OF ISSUANCE OF 10% PREFERRED STOCK AND 5% PREFERRED STOCK ON NET
LOSS. Based on current accounting standards, the Company estimates that it will
be required to record a non-operating expense of approximately $2,300,000 for
the fiscal year ending December 31, 1998 as a result of the issuance of the 10%
Preferred Stock and the 5% Preferred Stock. While these charges will not affect
the Company's operating loss or working capital during such period, they are
expected to result in an increase of approximately $2,300,000 in the Company's
net loss for the fiscal year ending December 31, 1998. Further, the Company's
working capital will be reduced by the amount of the dividends paid on the 10%
Preferred Stock and the 5% Preferred Stock if such dividends are paid in cash.

         NO DIVIDENDS. No cash dividends have been paid on the common stock of
the Company. It is anticipated that profits, if any, received from operations
will be devoted to the Company's future operations. The Company does not
anticipate the payment of cash dividends on its common stock in the foreseeable
future, and any decision to pay dividends will depend upon the Company's
profitability at the time, cash available therefor, and other factors. Except as
otherwise required by law, the Company is required to pay a quarterly cumulative
noncompounded dividend on the 10% Preferred Stock of 10% per annum based on the
stated value of $10.00 per share of 10%

                                       11
<PAGE>
 
Preferred Stock, and the Company is required to pay all accrued but undeclared
dividends on the 5% Preferred Stock on the earlier of (i) the redemption or
conversion of the 5% Preferred Stock, or (ii) the liquidation of the Company.

                                 USE OF PROCEEDS

         The net proceeds to be received by the Company from the securities
offered hereby, assuming that all of the securities offered hereby are exercised
in full for a cash payment to the Company, after deducting expenses payable by
the Company (including printing, legal and accounting expenses) estimated at
$20,000 are estimated to be $7,031,877. There can be no assurance that the
securities offered hereby will be exercised, or if exercised, at what time they
will be exercised. In addition, if any holder of the IPO Warrants elects to
exercise such IPO Warrants pursuant to the cashless exercise option, the Company
will not receive any cash proceeds from such exercise. Such proceeds, if any,
are intended to be used for general working capital purposes.

                                       12
<PAGE>
 
                               RECENT DEVELOPMENTS

DCI ACQUISITION

         On March 19, 1998 the Company executed an Agreement and Plan of Merger
(the "DCI Merger Agreement") pursuant to which the Company agreed to acquire
Durand Communications, Inc., a California corporation ("DCI"), via a merger of
the Company's wholly owned subsidiary, Durand Acquisition Corporation, with DCI
(the "DCI Merger"). As consideration for the DCI Merger, the Company will issue
up to 971,250 shares of its common stock and will acquire 100% of the
outstanding shares of common stock, no par value, of DCI. In connection with the
DCI Merger, OSS will also assume DCI liabilities of approximately $1,400,000 and
issue options, warrants and convertible securities for up to 200,000 shares of
OSS Common Stock at exercise or conversion prices ranging from $4.31 to $16.26
in replacement of similar securities of DCI. Under the rules of The Nasdaq
SmallCap Market the issuance of common stock by the Company as consideration in
the DCI Merger requires the approval of the Company's shareholders. Approva by
the Company's shareholders is a condition precedent to the Company's obligation
to consummate the DCI Merger. If the issuance of shares of common stock is not
approved by the shareholders, it is unlikely that the Company will consummate
the DCI Merger. The Company anticipates that the meeting at which the
shareholders will consider the issuance of such common stock will occur in
August or September 1998.

         It is intended that the DCI Merger, for federal income tax purposes,
will be treated as a reorganization within the meaning of Section 368 of the
Internal Revenue Code (the "Code") and that each of the Company, DCI and Durand
Acquisition Corporation will be a party to the reorganization within the meaning
of Section 368(b) of the Code. Based on the facts, representations, warranties
and agreements set forth in the DCI Merger Agreement, the Company believes that
the DCI Merger will so qualify. However, no ruling has been requested from the
Internal Revenue Service (the "IRS") with respect to these matters. Therefore,
the IRS may determine that the DCI Merger does not qualify to be treated as a
reorganization within the meaning of Section 368 of the Code.

         The long-term success of the Company's business development strategy is
highly dependent upon the Company's ability to develop proprietary systems for
establishing online communities and online commerce which distinguishes OSS'
product and service offerings for broadband operators from those offered by
other Internet product and service providers. The providing of high-speed
Internet access by broadband operators is in the early development stage. The
Company believes it is important to quickly establish OSS as one of the leaders
in providing high-speed Internet access products and services for broadband
operators, as those companies that are among the first established providers of
these products and services, will have a distinct advantage in obtaining market
share as this business continues to develop.

         OSS believes that the primary value of DCI to OSS is (i) DCI's
proprietary technology, including DCI's CommunityWare(R) product, (ii) DCI's
software development capabilities which management believes is important to OSS'
ability to continue to develop state-of-the-art proprietary software products
required to maintain long-term relationships with OSS' broadband operator
customers, and (iii) the ability the DCI acquisition will give OSS to greatly
reduce the time it will take OSS to introduce new proprietary software products.
Management of OSS believes DCI's technology can be quickly integrated with OSS'
I2U products to expand the breadth and functionality of this product offering.
Andre Durand, Chief Executive Officer of DCI, will become Vice President-Product
Development of OSS following the DCI Merger and will be responsible for the
Company's product development efforts. A condition to the DCI Merger is that Mr.
Durand enter into a three-year noncompete agreement with the Company. OSS
intends to continue to employ all of DCI's product development personnel
following the DCI Merger.

         OSS also believes that DCI's Electronic University Network ("EUN")
business, which offers accredited online courses for colleges, universities and
corporations, represents a valuable business opportunity. OSS expects to
continue to develop this business both as a separate product offering and as an
adjunct to OSS' product offerings for broadband operators.

         OSS did not seek an opinion from an independent financial advisor as to
the value of the DCI transaction, as management and the Board of Directors
determined that management of OSS was best able to determine the value of the
acquisition since its value was primarily based on the capabilities and
prospects for DCI's technology, the compatibility of DCI's and OSS' technologies
and the ability to quickly integrate the two technologies in order to
significantly reduce OSS' time to develop and introduce new products.

                                       13
<PAGE>
 
         The acquisition of DCI will increase the outstanding number of shares
of the Company's common stock by 971,250 shares (approximately 29%, not
including the shares of common stock which may be issued in connection with the
Skyconnect Merger) (excluding shares issuable upon the exercise of options and
warrants or the conversion of convertible securities issued in connection with
the DCI Merger), will increase the Company's liabilities, on a consolidated
basis, by approximately $1,400,000 and is expected to increase the Company's
operating net loss by approximately $140,000 per month for at least the balance
of fiscal 1998. The acquisition of DCI will also increase the Company's working
capital requirements. As indicated in the Risk Factors section of this
Prospectus, the Company has initiated efforts to obtain additional working
capital. However, there can be no assurance that the Company will be successful
in obtaining additional working capital or, if successful, the cost of such
capital.

         The DCI Merger Agreement contemplates that OSS will acquire 100% of the
outstanding common stock of DCI. Based on the closing price of the Company's
common stock on and around March 19, 1998, the day that the transaction was
announced, the total purchase price is estimated to be $12,400,000, consisting
of (i) 971,250 shares of the Company's common stock to be issued to the
stockholders of DCI, (ii) approximately 200,000 shares of the Company's common
stock to be reserved for issuance pursuant to exercise or conversion of options,
warrants and convertible securities of DCI to be converted to similar securities
of OSS; (iii) $1,400,000 of liabilities to be assumed; and (iv) approximately
$380,000 of expenses to be incurred.

         The DCI Merger will be accounted for under the purchase method of
accounting, with the purchase price allocated to the fair value of assets
acquired and liabilities assumed. A significant portion of the purchase price
has been identified as intangible assets, including approximately $11 million of
research and development in process. The portion of the purchase price which is
allocated to in-process research and development will be recognized as expense
in the period the DCI Merger is consummated and will cause a resulting increase
in the accumulated deficit of the Company of approximately $11 million.

         DCI completed the acquisition of CompuLearning Systems, d/b/a
Electronic University Network ("EUN") during January 1998. Based on financial
information provided by DCI and EUN, the combined revenues for DCI and EUN for
the year ended December 31, 1997 totaled $740,739 and their combined loss for
the same period equaled ($2,867,973). In addition, their combined accumulated
deficit and stockholder's deficit for the same period were ($7,709,344) and
($1,804,709), respectively. The Company estimates that, on a pro forma basis,
the acquisition of DCI would have resulted in a decrease to the net book value
of its shares of common stock as of December 31, 1997 from $1.54 (actual) to
$1.18 (pro forma).

SKYCONNECT ACQUISITION

         On June 5, 1998 the Company executed an Agreement and Plan of Merger
(the "Skyconnect Merger Agreement") pursuant to which the Company agreed to
acquire Skyconnect, Inc., a Colorado corporation ("Skyconnect"), via a merger of
the Company's wholly owned subsidiary, Skyconnect Acquisition Corporation, with
Skyconnect (the "Skyconnect Merger"). As consideration for the Skyconnect
Merger, the Company will issue up to 1,100,000 shares of its common stock and
will acquire 100% of the outstanding share of common stock, no par value, of
Skyconnect. In connection with the Skyconnect Merger, OSS will also assume
Skyconnect liabilities of approximately $8,500,000 and issue options and
warrants for up to 130,000 shares of OSS common stock at exercise or conversion
prices ranging from $12.00 to $14.40 or the market value for the Company's
common stock, if less, in replacement of similar securities of Skyconnect. In
addition, OSS will issue to a Skyconnect shareholder a warrant to acquire
250,000 shares of its common stock at an initial exercise price of $18.00 per
share. Under the rules of The Nasdaq SmallCap Market the issuance of common
stock by the Company as consideration in the Skyconnect Merger requires the
approval of the Company's shareholders. Approval by the Company's shareholders
is a condition precedent to the Company's obligation to consummate the
Skyconnect Merger. If the issuance of shares of common stock is not approved by
the shareholders, it is unlikely that the Company will consummate the Skyconnect
Merger. The Company anticipates that the meeting at which the shareholders will
consider the issuance of such common stock will occur in August or September
1998.

         It is intended that the Skyconnect Merger, for federal income tax
purposes, will be treated as a reorganization within the meaning of Section 368
of the Internal Revenue Code (the "Code") and that each of the Company,
Skyconnect and Skyconnect Acquisition Corporation will be a party to the
reorganization within the meaning of Section 368 of the Code. Based on the
facts, representations, warranties and agreements set forth in the Skyconnect
Merger Agreement, the Company believes that the Skyconnect Merger will so
qualify. However, no

                                       14
<PAGE>
 
ruling has been requested from the Internal Revenue Service (the "IRS") with
respect to these matters. Therefore, the IRS may determine that the Skyconnect
Merger does not qualify to be treated as a reorganization within the meaning of
Section 368 of the Code.

         The long-term success of the Company's business development strategy is
highly dependent upon the Company's ability to develop proprietary systems which
distinguishes OSS' product and service offerings for broadband operators from
those offered by other Internet product and service providers. The providing of
high-speed Internet access by broadband operators is in the early development
stage. The Company believes it is important to quickly establish OSS as one of
the leaders in providing high- speed Internet access products and services for
broadband operators, as those companies that are among the first established
providers of these products and services, will have a distinct advantage in
obtaining market share as this business continues to develop.

         OSS believes that the primary value of Skyconnect to OSS is (i)
Skyconnect's proprietary technology, including Skyconnect's advertising,
scheduling and insertion systems, as well as its near-video-on-demand ("NVOD")
and video-on-demand ("VOD") systems for cable television and hotel operators,
(ii) Skyconnect's product development and sales capabilities, (iii) the ability
the Skyconnect acquisition will give OSS to integrate advertising insertion and
NVOD and VOD capabilities with OSS' I2U product to expand the breadth and
functionality of this product offering, and (iv) Skyconnect's existing revenue
base with cable television operators.

         The acquisition of Skyconnect will increase the outstanding number of
shares of the Company's common stock by 1,100,000 shares (approximately 32% not
including the shares which may be issued in the DCI Merger) (excluding shares
issuable upon the exercise of options and warrants in connection with the
Skyconnect Merger) and will increase the Company's liabilities, on a
consolidated basis, by approximately $8,500,000. The acquisition of Skyconnect
may also increase the Company's working capital requirements. As indicated in
the Risk Factors section of this Prospectus, the Company has initiated efforts
to obtain additional working capital. However, there can be no assurance that
the Company will be successful in obtaining additional working capital or, if
successful, the cost of such capital.

         The Skyconnect Merger Agreement contemplates that OSS will acquire 100%
of the outstanding common stock of Skyconnect. Based on the closing price of the
Company's common stock on and around June 9, 1998, the day that the transaction
was announced, the total purchase price is estimated to be $24,700,000,
consisting of (i) 1,100,000 shares of the Company's common stock to be issued to
the stockholders of Skyconnect, (ii) approximately 130,000 shares of the
Company's common stock to be reserved for issuance pursuant to exercise or
conversion of options and warrants of Skyconnect to be converted to similar
securities of OSS; (iii) 250,000 shares of the Company's common stock to be
reserved for a warrant to be granted to a Skyconnect shareholder; (iv)
$8,500,000 of liabilities to be assumed; and (v) approximately $60,000 of
expenses to be incurred.

         The Skyconnect Merger will be accounted for under the purchase method
of accounting, with the purchase price allocated to the fair value of assets
acquired and liabilities assumed. A significant portion of the purchase price
has been identified as intangible assets, including up to approximately
$14,000,000 of research and development in process. The portion of the purchase
price which is allocated to in-process research and development will be
recognized as expense in the period the Skyconnect Merger is consummated and
will cause a resulting increase in the accumulated deficit of the Company of up
to approximately $14,000,000.

         Based on financial information provided by Skyconnect, the revenues for
Skyconnect for the year ended March 31, 1998 totaled $11,820,779 and its loss
for the same period equaled ($6,754,688). In addition, its accumulated deficit
was ($31,499,847). The Company estimates that, on a pro forma basis, the
acquisition of Skyconnect would have resulted in a decrease to the net book
value of its shares of common stock as of March 31, 1998 from $1.14 (actual) to
$1.35 (estimated pro forma).


                              SELLING SHAREHOLDERS

         The following table sets forth, as of May 31, 1998, the name of each
Selling Shareholder, certain beneficial ownership information with respect to
each of the Selling Shareholders, and the number of securities offered hereby
that may be sold from time to time by each pursuant to this Prospectus. There
can be no assurance that the securities offered hereby will be sold.

                                       15
<PAGE>
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                     Shares of 
                    Common Stock /                          Shares of Common      Percentage of
                     IPO Warrants      Shares of Common       Stock / IPO         Common Stock
                         Owned           Stock / IPO        Warrants Owned      Owned Beneficially
 Name of Selling     Beneficially      Warrants Offered    Beneficially After  Before Offering/After
   Shareholder     Before Offering          Hereby             Offering              Offering
- ----------------  -----------------   ------------------   ------------------  ---------------------
<S>               <C>                  <C>                      <C>                     <C>
Cheryl Bostater   1,650 (1) / 3,300    1,650 (1) / 3,300        0 / 0 *                 *

Bayard Kessler        3,300 / 0            3,300 / 0            0 / 0 *                 *
</TABLE>

*   Less than 1% of shares outstanding.
(1) Represents the number of shares of common stock issuable to Ms. Bostater
upon the exercise of her 3,300 IPO Warrants.


                              PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION

         The issuance of the securities offered hereby is not underwritten. The
common stock offered hereby will be issued by the Company upon the exercise of
certain IPO Warrants. The IPO Warrants offered hereby will be issued upon the
exercise of the Representative's Options. There can be no assurance that any of
the IPO Warrants or the Representative's Options will ever be exercised. The
Representative's Options were issued by the Company in connection with its
initial public offering for an aggregate price of $100. No commissions are other
remunerations will be paid for any activities in connection with the issuance of
the common stock and the warrants contemplated hereby.

         Upon the issuance of the securities offered hereby, this Prospectus may
be utilized for the purpose of reselling such securities from time to time by
persons who may be deemed to be "underwriters" within the meaning of the
Securities Act of 1933, as amended, in connection with such sales. Such sales
may be made in the over-the-counter market or otherwise at prices and at terms
then prevailing or at prices related to the then current market price or in
negotiated transactions. Such securities ma be sold by one or more of the
following: (a) a block trade in which the broker or dealer so engaged will
attempt to sell Shares as agent but may position and resell a portion of the
block as principal to facilitate the transaction; (b) purchases by a broker or
dealer as principal and resale by such broker or dealer for its account pursuant
to this Prospectus; (c) ordinary brokerage transactions and transactions in
which the broker solicits purchasers; and (d) in privately negotiated
transactions not involving a broker or dealer. In effecting sales, brokers or
dealers engaged to sell such securities may arrange for other brokers or dealers
to participate. Brokers or dealers engaged to sell such securities will receive
compensation in the form of commissions or discounts in amounts to be negotiated
immediately prior to each sale. Such brokers or dealers and any other
participating brokers or dealers may be deemed to be "underwriters" within the
meaning of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, in connection with such
sales. The Company will receive no proceeds from any resales of the securities
offered hereby, and it is anticipated that the brokers or dealers, if any,
participating in the sales of such securities will receive the usual and
customary selling commissions.


                            DESCRIPTION OF SECURITIES
GENERAL

         The Company is authorized to issue 15,000,000 shares of capital stock,
including 10,000,000 shares of common stock, no par value, and 5,000,000 shares
of preferred stock, with such par value and such rights, preferences and
privileges as are determined by the Company's Board of Directors.

COMMON STOCK

         As of May 31, 1998, 3,386,307 shares of common stock were outstanding.
Holders of common stock are entitled to dividends when, as and if declared by
the Board of Directors out of funds available therefor, subject to loan
agreement limitations and priority as to dividends for preferred stock that may
be outstanding. Holders of common stock are entitled to cast one vote for each
share held at all stockholder meetings for all purposes, including the election
of directors. The holders of more than 50% of the voting power of the common
stock issued and

                                       16
<PAGE>
 
outstanding and entitled to vote, present in person or by proxy, (together with
any preferred stock issued and outstanding and entitled to vote, present in
person or by proxy) constitute a quorum at all meetings of stockholders. The
vote of the holders of a majority of common stock present at such a meeting
(together with any preferred stock present and entitled to vote at such meeting)
will decide any question brought before such meeting, except when a greater vote
is required by law, the Company's Articles of Incorporation, or the Company's
Bylaws and except when a vote of any preferred stock issued and outstanding,
voting as a separate class, is required by law to approve a question brought
before such meeting. Upon liquidation or dissolution, the holder of each
outstanding share of common stock will be entitled to share equally in the
assets of the Company legally available for distribution to such stockholder
after payment of all liabilitie and after distributions to holders of preferred
stock legally entitled to such distributions. Holders of common stock do not
have any preemptive, subscription or redemption rights. There is no cumulative
voting for the election of directors. All outstanding shares of common stock are
fully paid and nonassessable and the shares of common stock offered hereby will
be, upon issuance, fully paid and nonassessable. The holders of the common stock
do not have any registration rights with respect to the common stock.

IPO WARRANTS

         As of May 31, 1998, there were 1,268,300 IPO Warrants outstanding. The
holder of two IPO Warrants is entitled to purchase one share of the Company's
common stock at a price of $9.00 per share at any time prior to May 23, 1999.
The Warrant exercise price is payable in cash or through the surrender of
warrants having a value equal to the difference between the exercise price and
the average of the current market prices for the Company's common stock for the
20 consecutive trading days commencing 21 trading days before the date the
warrant is tendered for exchange. The holders of IPO Warrants are not entitled
to vote, to receive dividends or to exercise any of the rights of shareholders
for any purpose. The Company may, at its discretion, call the IPO Warrants for
redemption on 45 days' prior written notice at a redemption price of $.05 per
warrant, if the closing bid price of the Company's common stock exceeds the
exercise price of the IPO Warrants by at least 50% during a period of at least
20 of the 30 trading days immediately preceding the Notice of Redemption and the
expiration of the 45 day waiting period is within the term of the IPO Warrants.


                                  LEGAL MATTERS

         The legality of the Common Stock will be passed upon for the Company by
the firm of Gray, Plant, Mooty, Mooty & Bennett, P.A.


                                     EXPERTS

         The audited financial statements of the Company for the years ended
December 31, 1997 and 1996, which are included by reference in this Registration
Statement have been audited by Arthur Andersen LLP, as indicated in their
reports with respect thereto, and are incorporated by reference in reliance upon
the authority of said firm as experts in accounting and auditing in giving such
report. Reference is made to said report, which includes an explanatory
paragraph that discusses substantial doubt about the Company's ability to
continue as a going concern.


                                 INDEMNIFICATION

         The Company's Articles of Incorporation provide that the Company shall
indemnify, to the full extent permitted by Colorado law, any director, officer,
employee or agent of the Company made or threatened to be made a party to a
proceeding, by reason of the former or present official of the person, against
judgments, penalties, fines, settlements and reasonable expenses incurred by the
person in connection with the proceeding if certain standards are met. At
present, there is no pending litigation or proceeding involving any director,
officer, employee or agent of the Company where indemnification will be required
or permitted. Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the
Securities Act of 1933 (the "Act") may be permitted to directors, officers and
controlling persons of the Company pursuant to the foregoing provisions, or
otherwise, the Company has been advised that in the opinion of the Securities
and Exchange Commission such indemnification is against public policy as
expressed in the Act and is, therefore, unenforceable.

                                       17
<PAGE>
 
         The Company's Articles of Incorporation limit the liability of its
directors to the fullest extent permitted by the Colorado Business Corporation
Act. Specifically, directors of the Company will not be personally liable for
monetary damages for breach of fiduciary duty as directors, except for (i) any
breach of the duty of loyalty to the Company or its shareholders, (ii) acts or
omissions not in good faith or that involved intentional misconduct or a knowing
violation of law, (iii) dividends or other distributions of corporate assets
that are in contravention of certain statutory or contractual restrictions, (iv)
violations of certain laws, or (v) any transaction from which the director
derives an improper personal benefit. Liability under federal securities law is
not limited by the Articles of Incorporation.

                                       18
<PAGE>
 
================================================================================

         No dealer, salesman or any other person has been authorized to give any
information or to make any representations other than those contained in this
Prospectus in connection with the offer made by this Prospectus and, if given or
made, such information or representations must not be relied upon as having been
authorized by the Company. This Prospectus does not constitute an offer to sell
or the solicitation of any offer to buy any security other than the securities
offered by this Prospectus, nor does it constitute an offer to sell or a
solicitation of any offer to buy the securities offered hereby by anyone in any
jurisdiction in which such offer or solicitation is not authorized, or in which
the person making such offer or solicitation is not qualified to do so, or to
any person to whom it is unlawful to make such offer or solicitation. Neither
the delivery of this Prospectus nor any sale made hereunder shall, under any
circumstances, create any implication that information contained herein is
correct as of any time subsequent to the date hereof.

                                 ---------------

                                TABLE OF CONTENTS

                                                                          Page
                                                                          ----

 Available Information......................................................3
 Incorporation of Certain Documents by Reference............................3
 The Company................................................................4
 Risk Factors...............................................................6
 Use of Proceeds...........................................................12
 Recent Developments.......................................................13
 Selling Shareholders......................................................15
 Plan of Distribution......................................................16
 Description of Securities.................................................16
 Legal Matters.............................................................17
 Experts...................................................................17
 Indemnification...........................................................17

================================================================================



                         797,500 SHARES OF COMMON STOCK
                                110,000 WARRANTS




                                  ONLINE SYSTEM
                                 SERVICES, INC.




                                ---------------

                                   PROSPECTUS

                                ---------------





                                 JUNE ___, 1998

================================================================================

================================================================================
<PAGE>
 
                                     PART II
                  INFORMATION NOT REQUIRED TO BE IN PROSPECTUS


ITEM 14. OTHER EXPENSES OF ISSUANCE AND DISTRIBUTION

         The following table sets forth the various expenses of the Company in
connection with the sale and distribution of the Shares being registered
pursuant to this Post Effective Amendment No. 1 to Form SB-2 Registration
Statement. All of the amounts shown are estimates, except for the Securities and
Exchange Commission registration fee and the Nasdaq listing fee. All of such
expenses will be paid by the Company.



       Securities and Exchange Commission fee                    N/A    
       Accounting fees and expenses                          $3,000.00  
       Legal fees and expenses                               $8,000.00  
       Printing, Mailing                                     $5,000.00  
       Transfer Agent fees                                   $1,000.00  
       Miscellaneous                                         $3,000.00  
                                                             ---------- 
                TOTAL                                        $20,000.00 


ITEM 15. INDEMNIFICATION OF OFFICERS AND DIRECTORS

         The Company's Articles of Incorporation provide that the Company shall
indemnify, to the full extent permitted by Colorado law, any director, officer,
employee or agent of the Company made or threatened to be made a party to a
proceeding, by reason of the former or present official of the person, against
judgments, penalties, fines, settlements and reasonable expenses incurred by the
person in connection with the proceeding if certain standards are met. At
present, there is no pending litigation or proceeding involving any director,
officer, employee or agent of the Company where indemnification will be required
or permitted. Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the
Securities Act of 1933 (the "Act") may be permitted to directors, officers and
controlling persons of the Company pursuant to the foregoing provisions, or
otherwise, the Company has been advised that in the opinion of the Securities
and Exchange Commission such indemnification is against public policy as
expressed in the Act and is, therefore, unenforceable.

         The Company's Articles of Incorporation limit the liability of its
directors to the fullest extent permitted by the Colorado Business Corporation
Act. Specifically, directors of the Company will not be personally liable for
monetary damages for breach of fiduciary duty as directors, except for (i) any
breach of the duty of loyalty to the Company or its shareholders, (ii) acts or
omissions not in good faith or that involved intentional misconduct or a knowing
violation of law, (iii) dividends or other distributions of corporate assets
that are in contravention of certain statutory or contractual restrictions, (iv)
violations of certain laws, or (v) any transaction from which the director
derives an improper personal benefit. Liability under federal securities law is
not limited by the Articles.


ITEM 16. EXHIBITS

    3.1  Articles of Incorporation, as amended, of the Company*
    3.2  Bylaws of the Company (1)
    4.1  Specimen form of the Company's Common Stock certificate (2)
    4.2  Form of Warrant Agreement dated May 23, 1996 between Corporate Stock
         Transfer and the Company, including form of Warrant (2)
    4.3  Specimen of Warrant Certificate--See Exhibit A filed with Exhibit 4.2
    5.1  Opinion of Counsel (1)
   23.1  Consent of Arthur Andersen LLP*

- ----------------------
*        Filed herewith
(1)      Filed with the initial Registration Statement on Form SB-2, filed April
         5, 1996, Commission File No. 333-3282-D.

                                     II-1
<PAGE>
 
(2)      Filed with Amendment No. 1 to the Registration Statement on Form SB-2,
         filed May 3,1996, Commission File No. 333-3282-D.

ITEM 17. UNDERTAKINGS

         A.       The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes:

         (1) to file, during any period in which offers or sales are being made,
a post-effective amendment to this registration statement to include any
material information with respect to the plan of distribution not previously
disclosed in the registration statement or any material change to such
information in the registration statement;

         (2) that, for the purpose of determining any liability under the
Securities Act of 1933, each such post-effective amendment shall be deemed to be
a new registration statement relating to the securities offered therein, and the
offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona
fide offering thereof; and

         (3) to remove from registration by means of a post-effective amendment
any of the securities being registered that remain unsold at the termination of
the offering.

         B. Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the
Securities Act of 1933 may be permitted to directors, officers, and controlling
persons of the registrant as discussed above, or otherwise, the registrant has
been advised that in the opinion of the Securities and Exchange Commission such
indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the Act and is,
therefore, unenforceable. In the event that a claim for indemnification against
such liabilities (other than the payment by the registrant of expenses incurred
or paid by a director, officer, or controlling person of the registrant in the
successful defense of any action, suit, or proceeding) is asserted by such
director, officer or controlling person in connection with the securities being
registered, the registrant will, unless in the opinion of its counsel the matter
has been settled by controlling precedent, submit to a court of appropriate
jurisdiction the question whether such indemnification by it is against public
policy as expressed in the Act and will be governed by the final adjudication of
such issue.

                                     II-2
<PAGE>
 
                                   SIGNATURES


         Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, the
Registrant certifies that it has reasonable grounds to believe that it meets all
of the requirements for filing on Form S-3 and has duly caused this amendment to
the registration statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned,
thereunto duly authorized, in the City of Denver, State of Colorado, on June
22, 1998.

                                         ONLINE SYSTEM SERVICES, INC.


                                         By  /s/ R. Steven Adams
                                            ------------------------------------
                                                  R. Steven Adams, President and
                                                  Chief Executive Officer

         KNOW ALL BY THESE PRESENTS, that each person whose signature appears
below hereby constitutes and appoints R. Steven Adams and Robert M. Geller, and
each of them, his/her true and lawful attorneys-in-fact and agents, with full
power of substitution and resubstitution for him/her and in his/her name, place,
and stead, in any and all capacities, to sign any and all amendments (including
post-effective amendments) to this registration statement and to file the same,
with all exhibits thereto, and other documents in connection therewith, with the
Securities and Exchange Commission, granting unto said attorneys-in-fact and
agents, and each of them, full powers and authority to do and perform each and
every act and things requisite or necessary to be done in and about the
premises, as fully to all intents and purposes as he/she might or could do in
person, hereby ratifying and confirming all that said attorneys-in-fact and
agents or their or his/her substitute or substitutes, may lawfully do or cause
to be done by virtue hereof.

         Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, this
amendment to the registration statement has been signed below on the 22nd day of
June, 1998, by the following persons in the capacities indicated:

  /s/ R. Steven Adams
- ------------------------------------------------
R. Steven Adams,
(President, Chief Executive Officer and a Director)

  /s/ Thomas S. Plunkett
- ------------------------------------------------
Thomas Plunkett
(Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and
Chief Accounting Officer)

  /s/ Paul H. Spieker
- ------------------------------------------------
Paul H. Spieker
(Director)

  /s/ Robert M. Geller
- ------------------------------------------------
Robert M. Geller
(Director)

  /s/ Robert J. Lewis by RMG
- ------------------------------------------------
Robert J. Lewis
(Director)

  /s/ H. Robert Gill
- ------------------------------------------------
H. Robert Gill
(Director)

  /s/ Richard C. Jennewine
- ------------------------------------------------
Richard C. Jennewine
(Director)

                                     II-3
<PAGE>
 
  /s/ Charles P. Spickert
- ------------------------------------------------
Charles P. Spickert
(Director)

  /s/ William R. Cullen
- ------------------------------------------------
William R. Cullen
(Director)

                                     II-4
<PAGE>
 
                          ONLINE SYSTEM SERVICES, INC.
                                    FORM S-3
                                INDEX TO EXHIBITS

     3.1   Articles of Incorporation, as amended, of the Company*
     3.2   Bylaws of the Company (1)
     4.1   Specimen form of the Company's Common Stock certificate (2)
     4.2   Form of Warrant Agreement dated May 23, 1996 between Corporate Stock
           Transfer and the Company, including form of Warrant (2)
     4.3   Specimen of Warrant Certificate--See Exhibit A filed with Exhibit 4.2
     5.1   Opinion of Counsel (1)
    23.1   Consent of Arthur Andersen LLP*

- --------------------
*        Filed herewith
(1)      Filed with the initial Registration Statement on Form SB-2, filed April
         5, 1996, Commission File No. 333-3282-D.
(2)      Filed with Amendment No. 1 to the Registration Statement on Form SB-2,
         filed May 3,1996, Commission File No. 333-3282-D.

<PAGE>
 




 
                                  EXHIBIT 3.1


                     ARTICLES OF INCORPORATION, AS AMENDED


                          ONLINE SYSTEM SERVICES, INC.










                                        
<PAGE>
 
                           ARTICLES OF INCORPORATION
                           -------------------------
                                       OF
                                       --
                          ONLINE SYSTEM SERVICES, INC.
                          ----------------------------

     The undersigned incorporator, being a natural person of the age of eighteen
years or more hereby establishes a corporation pursuant to the statutes of the
State of Colorado and adopts the following Articles of Incorporation:

                                   ARTICLE I
                                   ---------

                                      NAME
                                      ----

     The name of the corporation shall be Online System Services, Inc.

                                   ARTICLE II
                                   ----------

                               PERIOD OF DURATION
                               ------------------

     This Corporation shall exist in perpetuity, from and after the date of
filing these Articles of Incorporation with the Secretary of State of the State
of Colorado unless dissolved according to law.

                                  ARTICLE III
                                  -----------

                                    PURPOSES
                                    --------

     The purpose for which this corporation is organized is to engage in any
lawful act or activity for which corporations may be organized under the laws of
the State of Colorado.

     In furtherance of the foregoing purposes, the Corporation shall have and
may exercise all of the rights, powers and privileges now or hereafter conferred
upon corporations organized under the laws of the State of Colorado.  In
addition, it may do everything necessary, suitable or proper for the
accomplishment of any of its corporate purposes.
<PAGE>
 
                                   ARTICLE IV
                                   ----------

                                    CAPITAL
                                    -------

     1.  Authorized Shares.  The aggregate number of shares which this
corporation shall have authority to issue is 10,000 shares, all of one class,
Common Stock, having no par value.

     2.  Restrictions.  The Corporation shall have the right to impose
restrictions on the transfer of shares of the Corporation.

     3.  Dividends.  The Board of Directors may from time to time distribute to
shareholders in partial liquidation, or out of stated capital or capital surplus
of the Corporation, a portion of its assets, in cash or property, subject to the
limitations contained within the statutes of the State of Colorado.

     4.  Distribution in Liquidation.  Upon any liquidation, dissolution or
winding up of the Corporation, and after paying or adequately providing for the
payment of all its obligations, the remainder of the assets of the Corporation
shall be distributed, either in cash or in kind, pro rata to the holders of the
Common Stock.

                                   ARTICLE V
                                   ---------

                             VOTING BY SHAREHOLDERS
                             ----------------------

     1.  Voting Rights; No Cumulative Voting.  Each outstanding share of Common
Stock is entitled to one vote and each fractional share of Common Stock is
entitled to a corresponding fractional vote on each matter submitted to a vote
of shareholders.  Cumulative voting shall not be allowed in the election of
directors of the Corporation and every shareholder entitled to vote at such
election shall have the right to vote the number of shares owned by him for as
many persons as there are directors to be elected, and for whose election he has
a right to vote.

     2.  Denial of Preemptive Rights.  No shareholder of the Corporation,
whether now or hereafter authorized, shall have any preemptive or similar right
to acquire any additional unissued or treasury shares of stock or securities of
any class or rights, warrants or options to purchase stock or scrip or
securities in any kind, including shares or securities convertible into shares
or carrying stock purchase warrants or privileges.

     3.  Majority Vote.  A quorum for the purpose of stockholder meetings will
consist of a majority of the shares issued and outstanding and entitled to vote
at the meeting.
<PAGE>
 
     When a quorum is present, and when the statute requires a vote of two-
thirds of the shares entitled to vote to take action, the affirmative vote of a
majority of the shares issued and outstanding and entitled to vote on the
subject matter shall be the act of the stockholders.

                                   ARTICLE VI
                                   ----------

                               BOARD OF DIRECTORS
                               ------------------

     The initial Board of Directors shall consist of three (3) directors, and
the names and addresses of the persons who shall serve as directors until the
first annual meeting of the shareholders or until their successors are elected
and shall qualify are:

NAME                     MAILING ADDRESS

R. Steven Adams         1800 Glenarm Place, Suite 700
                        Denver, Colorado 80202

Craig A. Snapp          9063 S. Bermuda Run Circle
                        Highlands Ranch, CO 80126

Thomas D. Smart         1700 Broadway, Suite 1800
                        Denver, CO 80290

     The number of directors shall be prescribed by the Bylaws except that there
need be only as many directors as there are shareholders in the event that the
outstanding shares are held of record by fewer than two persons.

                                  ARTICLE VII
                                  -----------

                RIGHT OF DIRECTORS TO CONTRACT WITH CORPORATION
                -----------------------------------------------

     The following provisions are inserted for the management of the business
and for the conduct of the affairs of the Corporation, and the same are in
furtherance of and not in limitation of the powers conferred by law.

          1.  No contract or other transaction between this Corporation and one
or more of its directors or any other corporation, firm, association, or entity
in which one or more of its directors are directors or officers or are
financially interested shall be either void or voidable solely because of such
relationship or interest or solely because such directors are present at the
meeting of the Board of Directors or a committee thereof which authorizes,
approves, or ratifies such contract or transaction or solely because their votes
are counted for such purpose if:
<PAGE>
 
               (a) The material facts as to such relationship or interest and as
     to the contract or transaction are disclosed or are otherwise known to the
     Board of Directors or committee and the board or committee authorizes,
     approves, or ratifies such contract or transaction by the affirmative vote
     of a majority of the disinterested directors, even though the directors are
     less than a quorum; or

               (b) The material facts of such relationship or interest and as to
     the contract of transaction are disclosed or otherwise known to the
     shareholders entitled to vote thereon and they authorize, approve, or
     ratify such contract or transaction by vote or written consent; or

               (c) The contract or transaction is fair and reasonable to the
     Corporation.

          2.   Common or interested directors may be counted in determining the
presence of a quorum at a meeting of the Board of Directors or a committee
thereof which authorizes, approves or ratifies such contract or transaction.

                                  ARTICLE VIII
                                  ------------

                             CORPORATE OPPORTUNITY
                             ---------------------

          The officers, directors and other members of management of this
Corporation shall be subject to the doctrine of "corporate opportunities" only
insofar as it applies to business opportunities in which this Corporation has
expressed an interest as determined from time to time by this Corporation's
Board of Directors as evidenced by resolutions appearing in the Corporation's
minutes.  Once such areas of interest are delineated, all such business
opportunities within such areas of interest which come to the attention of the
officers, directors, and other members of management of this Corporation shall
be offered first to the Corporation.  In the event the Corporation declines to
pursue any or all such business opportunities, the officers, directors and other
members of management of this Corporation shall be free to engage in such areas
of interest on their own and this doctrine shall not limit the right of any
officer, director or other member of management of this Corporation (other than
an officer, director, or member of management) from any duties which he may have
to this Corporation.

                                   ARTICLE IX
                                   ----------

                          Indemnification of Officers,
                          ----------------------------
                              Directors and Others
                              --------------------

          1.  To the full extent permitted by the Colorado Corporation Code, the
Corporation shall indemnify any person who was or is a party or is threatened to
be made a party to any threatened, pending or completed action, suit or
proceeding, whether civil, criminal, administrative or investigative and whether
formal or informal (other than an action by or in the right of the Corporation)
by reason of the fact that he is or was a Director, Officer, employee, fiduciary
or agent of the Corporation, or is or was serving at the request of the
Corporation as a Director, Officer, employee, fiduciary or agent of another
corporation, partnership, joint venture, 
<PAGE>
 
trust, employee benefit plan or other enterprise, against expenses (including
attorneys' fees), judgments, fines and amounts paid in settlement actually and
reasonably incurred by him in connection with such action, suit or proceeding if
he conducted himself in good faith and in a manner he reasonably believed to be
in or not opposed to the best interests of the Corporation, and, with respect to
any criminal action or proceeding, had no reasonable cause to believe his
conduct was unlawful. The termination of any action, suit or proceeding by
judgment, order, settlement, or conviction, or upon a plea of nolo contendere or
its equivalent, shall not, of itself, create a presumption that the person did
not act in good faith and in a manner which he reasonably believed to be in or
not opposed to the best interests of the Corporation and, with respect to any
criminal action or proceeding, had reasonable cause to believe that his conduct
was unlawful.

          2.  The Corporation shall indemnify any person who was or is a party
or is threatened to be made a party to any threatened, pending or completed
action or suit by or in the right of the Corporation to procure a judgment in
its favor by reason of the fact that he is or was a Director, Officer, employee,
fiduciary or agent of the Corporation, or is or was serving at the request of
the Corporation as a Director, Officer, employee or agent of another
corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust, employee benefit plan or other
enterprise against expenses (including attorneys' fees) actually and reasonably
incurred by him in connection with the defense or settlement of such action or
suit if he acted in good faith and in a manner he reasonably believed to be in
or not opposed to the best interests of the Corporation and except that no
indemnification shall be made in respect of any claim, issue or matter as to
which such person shall have been adjudged to be liable for negligence or
misconduct in the performance of his duty to the Corporation unless and only to
the extent that the court in which such action or suit was brought shall
determine upon application that, despite the adjudication of liability but in
view of all circumstances of the case, such person is fairly and reasonably
entitled to indemnity for such expenses which such court shall deem proper.

          3.  To the extent that a Director, Officer, employee, fiduciary or
agent of the Corporation has been wholly successful on the merits or otherwise
in defense of any action, suit or proceeding referred to in paragraphs 1 and 2
of this Article, or in defense of any claim, issue or matter therein, he shall
be indemnified against expenses (including attorneys' fees) actually and
reasonably incurred by him in connection therewith.

          4.  Any indemnification under paragraphs 1 and 2 of this Article
(unless ordered by a court) shall be made by the Corporation only as authorized
in the specific case upon a determination that indemnification of the Director,
Officer, employee, fiduciary or agent is proper in the circumstances because he
has met the applicable standard of conduct set forth in paragraphs 1 and 2.
Such determination shall be made (1) by the Board of Directors by a majority
vote of a quorum consisting of Directors who were not parties to such action,
suit or pending, or (2) if such a quorum is not attainable, or, even if
obtainable a quorum of disinterested Directors so directs, by independent legal
counsel in a written opinion, or (3) by the stockholders.

          5.  Expenses (including attorneys' fees) incurred in defending a civil
or criminal action, suit or pending may be paid by the Corporation in advance of
the final disposition of such 
<PAGE>
 
action, suit or proceeding as authorized in the manner provided in paragraph 4
of this Article upon receipt of an undertaking by or on behalf of the Director,
Officer, employee, fiduciary or agent to repay such amount unless it shall
ultimately be determined that he is entitled to be indemnified by the
Corporation as authorized in this section.

          6.  The Corporation shall have power to purchase and maintain
insurance on behalf of any person who is or was a Director, Officer, employee,
fiduciary or agent of the Corporation, or is or was serving at the request of
the Corporation as a director, officer, employee or agent of another
corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust, employee benefit plan or other
enterprise against any liability asserted against him and incurred by him in any
such capacity or arising out of his status as such, whether or not the
Corporation would have the power to indemnify him against such liability under
the provisions of this section.

          7.  In addition to the foregoing, the Corporation shall have the power
to indemnify current or former directors, officers, employees and agents to the
fullest extent provided by the laws of the State of Colorado.

                                   ARTICLE X
                                   ---------

                               DIRECTOR LIABILITY
                               ------------------

          To the fullest extent permitted by the Colorado Corporation Code, as
the same exists or may hereafter be amended, a director of this Corporation
shall not be liable to the Corporation or its shareholders for monetary damages
for breach of fiduciary duty as a director.

                                   ARTICLE XI
                                   ----------

                     REGISTERED OFFICE AND REGISTERED AGENT
                     --------------------------------------

          The address of the initial registered office of the Corporation is
1800 Glenarm Place, Suite 700, Denver, Colorado 80202 and the name of the
initial registered agent at such address is R. Steven Adams.  Either the
registered office or the registered agent may be changed in the manner permitted
by law.

                                  ARTICLE XII
                                  -----------

                                  INCORPORATOR
                                  ------------

          The name and address of the incorporator is as follows:

NAME                    ADDRESS

Kim P. Castillo         1800 Glenarm Place, Suite 700
                        Denver, Colorado 80202

          IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the above-named incorporator has signed these
Articles of Incorporation this 22nd day of March, 1994.
                               -----       -----       
<PAGE>
 
                              /s/ Kim P. Castillo
                              -------------------
                              Kim P. Castillo

STATE OF COLORADO  )
                    )ss.
COUNTY OF DENVER  )

          I, the undersigned, a Notary Public, hereby certify that on the 22nd
                                                                          ----
day of March, 1994, personally appeared before me, Kim P. Castillo, who being by
       ------                                                                   
me first duly sworn, severally declared that she is the person who signed the
foregoing document as incorporator, and the statements therein contained are
true.

          WITNESS my hand and official seal.

                              /s/ Colleen K. Overocker
                              ------------------------
                              Notary Public


My Commission Expires:  05/17/1995
<PAGE>
 
                             ARTICLES OF AMENDMENT
                                       OF
                           ARTICLES OF INCORPORATION
                                       OF
                          ONLINE SYSTEM SERVICES, INC.


     The undersigned, R. Steven Adams, President  of Online System Services,
Inc., a Colorado corporation (the "Corporation"), DOES HEREBY CERTIFY that the
number of votes cast for the following amendment by each voting group entitled
to vote separately on the amendment was sufficient for approval by that group,
in that the sole shareholder of the Corporation approved and adopted the
amendment in all respects:


     ARTICLE IV of the Articles of Incorporation of the Corporation is amended
     ----------                                                               
and replaced in its entirety to read as follows:

                                   ARTICLE IV
                                   ----------

                                    CAPITAL
                                    -------

     1.   Authorized Shares.  The aggregate number of shares that the
Corporation has authority to issue is 15,000,000.  The shares are classified in
two classes, consisting of 10,000,000 shares of Common Stock , no par value, and
5,000,000 shares of Preferred Stock, with such par value as the Board of
Directors of the Corporation may designate.  The Board of Directors of the
Corporation is authorized to establish one or more series of Preferred Stock,
setting forth the designation of each such series, and fixing the preferences,
limitations and relative rights of each such series of Preferred Stock.

     2.   Transfer Restrictions.  The Corporation shall have the right to impose
restrictions on the transfer of shares of the Corporation.

     3.   Dividends.  The Board of Directors of the Corporation may from time to
time distribute to shareholders in partial liquidation, or out of stated capital
or capital surplus of the Corporation, a portion of its assets, in cash or
property, subject to the limitations contained within the statutes of the State
of Colorado.

     4.   Distributions in Liquidation.  Upon any liquidation, dissolution or
winding up of the Corporation, and after paying or adequately providing for the
payment of all its obligations, the remainder of the assets of the Corporation
shall be distributed, either in cash or in kind, and subject to any preferences
of any series of Preferred Stock, to the shareholders of the Corporation.
<PAGE>
 
     I FURTHER CERTIFY that the foregoing amendment was approved and adopted by
the Corporation's sole shareholder effective as of  the 17th day of March, 1995.


     IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned has executed these Articles of
Amendment this 31st day of July, 1995.
               ----                  


                                    /s/ R. Steven Adams
                                    -------------------
                                    R. Steven Adams, President
<PAGE>
 
                             ARTICLES OF AMENDMENT
                                      OF
                           ARTICLES OF INCORPORATION
                                      OF
                         ONLINE SYSTEM SERVICES, INC.
 
     The undersigned, Thomas S. Plunkett, Chief Financial Officer of Online
System Services, Inc., a Colorado corporation (the "Corporation"), DOES HEREBY
CERTIFY that pursuant to actions taken by the Board of Directors on December 16,
1997 in accordance with Sections 7-106-101, 7-106-102 and 7-110-102 of the
Colorado Business Corporation Act, the following amendment was duly adopted by
the Board of Directors without shareholder approval as permitted by Section 7-
106-102(4) of the Colorado Business Corporation Act:


     ARTICLE IV of the Articles of Incorporation of the Corporation, as amended,
     ----------                                                                 
is further amended  by adding a new Section 5, the text of which is set forth on
Exhibit A attached hereto.


     IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned has executed these Articles of
Amendment this 30th day of December, 1997.


                                    /s/ Thomas S. Plunkett
                                    ----------------------
                                    Thomas S. Plunkett, Chief
                                     Financial Officer
<PAGE>
 
                                   EXHIBIT A
                                        
     5.   Designation of 10% Preferred Stock.  The Corporation shall establish
and reserve for issuance from its 5,000,000 authorized shares of Preferred Stock
a class of preferred stock consisting of 500,000 shares to be known as the 10%
Preferred Stock (the "10% Preferred Stock").  The 10% Preferred Stock shall have
a stated value of $10.00 per share.  The preferences, limitations and relative
rights of the 10% Preferred Stock  shall be as provided in this Section 5.

          A. Voting Rights.

               (1) Each outstanding share of the 10% Preferred Stock is entitled
          to one vote on each matter submitted to a vote of shareholders.  The
          holders of the 10% Preferred Stock shall be entitled to vote on all
          matters voted upon by the holders of the Corporation's Common Stock.
          Unless otherwise required by law, the holders of the Common Stock and
          the holders of the 10% Preferred Stock shall vote as a single class on
          all matters submitted to a vote of shareholders.

               (2) The holders of the 10% Preferred Stock shall not be entitled
          to any rights of cumulative voting with respect to their shares.

          B.   Preemptive Rights. No holder of the 10% Preferred Stock shall
     have any preemptive or similar right to acquire any additional unissued or
     treasury shares of stock or securities of any class or rights, warrants or
     options to purchase stock or scrip or securities in any kind, including
     shares or securities convertible into shares or carrying stock purchase
     warrants or privileges.

          C.   Dividends.

               (1) Dividends shall accrue on the 10% Preferred Stock at the rate
          of ten percent (10%) per annum on the stated value of the 10%
          Preferred Stock and shall be paid quarterly on the first of each
          January, April, July and October, beginning July 1, 1998, to the
          record holder thereof on the 15th of the previous month, subject to
          the limitations contained within the statutes of the State of
          Colorado.  Dividends not paid in any quarter shall accumulate until
          paid, with interest on the unpaid balance, if any, accruing simple
          interest at the rate stated above.  Subject to the foregoing
          limitations, dividends may be paid out of any funds legally available
          for such purpose.

               (2) Dividends on the 10% Preferred Stock shall be declared and
          paid before dividends of any kind may be declared and paid on the
          Common Stock or any inferior class or series of stock and before
          distribution or any liquidation or distribution of any kind may be
          made upon the issued and outstanding Common Stock or any inferior
          class of stock.
<PAGE>
 
          (3) Upon any redemption or conversion of the 10% Preferred Stock
     pursuant to paragraphs G and H below, the Corporation shall pay all accrued
     but unpaid dividends on the 10% Preferred Stock called for redemption or
     converted, as the case may be. The Corporation may pay such accrued but
     unpaid dividends either (i) in cash or (ii) by issuing shares of Common
     Stock at a price per share equal to the lesser of (a) $10.00 or (b) if a
     redemption or a conversion occurring with respect to shares of the 10%
     Preferred Stock for which the Corporation has given a Notice of Redemption
     (as that term is defined in subparagraph G(2), below), the Average Per
     Share Closing Bid Price (as defined below) for the five trading days
     immediately preceding the date on which the Notice of Redemption was first
     given to the holders of the 10% Preferred Stock called for redemption, or,
     if a conversion occurring with respect to shares of the 10% Preferred Stock
     for which the Corporation has not given a Notice of Redemption, the Average
     Per Share Closing Bid Price for the five trading days immediately preceding
     the date on which the Conversion Notice (as that term is defined in
     subparagraph H(3), below) was first given to the Corporation.

          (4) Upon payment by the Corporation of dividends on the basis
     described in subparagraphs C(1)-C(3), the holders of the 10% Preferred
     Stock shall have no further right to dividends and shall not participate in
     any manner in dividends declared and paid or other distributions on the
     Common Stock or any inferior class or series of stock.

     D.   Liquidation Preference. In the event of the liquidation, dissolution
or winding up of the affairs of the Corporation, whether voluntary or
involuntary, the holders of the 10% Preferred Stock shall be entitled to
receive, after payment by the Corporation of its debts and liabilities, the
stated value of all shares of the 10% Preferred Stock in cash plus any all
accrued but unpaid dividends out of the assets of the Corporation before any
payment shall be made or any assets distributed to the holders of the Common
Stock or any other inferior class or series of stock. If sufficient assets are
not available to pay all holders of the 10% Preferred Stock in full, the
available assets shall be distributed to the holders of the 10% Preferred Stock
on a pro rata basis. Except as provided in this paragraph D, the holders of the
10% Preferred Stock shall not be entitled to receive any other payments from the
Corporation in the event of the liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the
affairs of the Corporation.

     E.   Other Securities, Obligations.

          (1) Subject to any limitations contained in these Articles of
     Incorporation, the Board of Directors of the Corporation reserves the right
     to establish additional classes and/or series of capital stock of the
     Corporation and to designate the preferences, limitations and relative
     rights of any such classes and/or series; provided, however, that no such
     class and/or series may have preferences, limitations and relative rights
     which are superior to or senior to the preferences, limitations and
     relative rights granted to the holders of the 10% Preferred Stock.

<PAGE>
 
              (2) At any time during which any shares of the 10% Preferred
          Stock are outstanding, the Corporation shall not incur any obligation
          or liability other than trade payables and other short-term
          indebtedness incurred in the ordinary course of business that is
          superior to or senior to the 10% Preferred Stock in any respects,
          including liquidation preferences.

          F.  Capital Reorganization.  If the Corporation shall at any time
     hereafter subdivide or combine its outstanding shares of Common Stock,
     declare a dividend payable in Common Stock, or in case of any capital
     reorganization or reclassification of the shares of Common Stock of the
     Corporation, the number of shares and stated value of the 10% Preferred
     Stock shall be adjusted appropriately to allow the holders of the 10%
     Preferred Stock, as nearly as reasonably possible, to maintain (i) the
     aggregate stated value of their 10% Preferred Stock and (ii) their pro rata
     interest in the Corporation and in the Common Stock upon conversion of the
     10% Preferred Stock, that they had prior to any such subdivision,
     combination, stock dividend, reorganization or reclassification.

          G.  Redemption.

              (1) The 10% Preferred Stock may be redeemed by the Corporation, in
          whole or in part, at any time for $10.00 per share (the "Redemption
          Price"). It is the Corporation's intent to use its best efforts to
          raise sufficient capital to both fund its operations and to permit it
          to redeem the 10% Preferred Stock as soon as is reasonably possible.
          In addition, if the Corporation completes a public offering of its
          securities that raises net proceeds of at least $5,000,000 (the
          "Public Offering") within nine months from the date on which the
          initial closing of the offering of the 10% Preferred Stock occurs (the
          "Closing Date"), then the Corporation shall redeem all of the
          outstanding 10% Preferred Stock.

              (2) The Corporation shall give not more than sixty (60) nor less
          than thirty (30) days notice (the "Notice of Redemption") of the date
          fixed for any redemption (as fixed, the "Redemption Date") of the 10%
          Preferred Stock by mailing the Notice of Redemption to the record
          holders of the 10% Preferred Stock to such holder's address as it
          appears on the records of the Corporation; provided, however, that the
          Corporation shall not be required to give notice of any redemption of
          the 10% Preferred Stock that occurs within nine months from the
          Closing Date.  In the case of a partial redemption of the 10%
          Preferred Stock, the shares to be redeemed shall be selected in any
          manner the Corporation may determine.  The Notice of Redemption shall
          be deemed given when it is deposited in the United States mail with
          sufficient postage affixed or when it is delivered to the record
          holder at such holder's address as it appears on the records of the
          Corporation.

              (3) On the Redemption Date, all rights of the holders of the 10%
          Preferred Stock called for redemption shall cease and terminate with
          respect to 
<PAGE>
 
          such shares except (i) the right to receive the Redemption
          Price upon surrender of the certificates representing the shares of
          the 10% Preferred Stock called for redemption and (ii) the right to
          receive payment of all dividends with respect to the shares of 10%
          Preferred Stock called for redemption which are accrued but unpaid on
          the Redemption Date.

          H.  Conversion.

              (1) If the 10% Preferred Stock is not redeemed within nine months
          from the Closing Date, each share of the outstanding 10% Preferred
          Stock shall become convertible, at the election of the holder thereof
          (the "Conversion Right"), into the number of shares of Common Stock of
          the Corporation equal to $10.00 divided by the lesser of (i) $10.00 or
          (ii) 80% of the Average Per Share Closing Bid Price of the
          Corporation's Common Stock as calculated pursuant to the next sentence
          The "Average Per Share Closing Bid Price" shall be (a) if the
          conversion occurs with respect to shares of the 10% Preferred Stock
          for which the Corporation has given a Notice of Redemption, the
          average per share closing bid price for the Corporation's Common Stock
          for the five trading days immediately preceding the date on which the
          Notice of Redemption was first given to the holders of the 10%
          Preferred Stock called for redemption or (b) if the conversion occurs
          with respect to shares of the 10% Preferred Stock for which the
          Corporation has not given a Notice of Redemption, the average closing
          bid price for the five trading days immediately preceding the date on
          which the holder gives the Conversion Notice (as that term is defined
          in subparagraph H(3), below) to the Corporation. The Closing Bid Price
          for the Common Stock at any date shall be (i) the Closing Bid Price of
          the Common Stock as reported in The Wall Street Journal (or, if not so
          reported, as otherwise reported by The Nasdaq Stock Market or, (ii) in
          the event that the Common Stock is listed on a stock exchange or on
          the Nasdaq National Market (or other national market), the Closing Bid
          Price shall be the closing price on the exchange or the Nasdaq
          National Market (or other national market), as the case may be, as
          reported in The Wall Street Journal (or, if not so reported, as
          otherwise reported by the stock exchange, Nasdaq or other national
          market). In the event that there is no reported Closing Bid Price or
          sale price, as the case may be, for a given day, the Closing Bid Price
          or sale price, as the case may be, for that day shall be deemed to be
          the Closing Bid Price or sale price, as the case may be, for the first
          day preceding such day for which there was a reported Closing Bid
          Price or sale price, as the case may be.

              (2) The Conversion Right shall expire and terminate five (5) days
          prior to the Redemption Date. In the case of a partial redemption of
          the 10% Preferred Stock, the Conversion Right shall so expire and
          terminate only with respect to the shares of the 10% Preferred Stock
          called for redemption.

              (3) In order to exercise the Conversion Right, the holder of the
          10% Preferred Stock to be converted shall give written notice (the
          "Conversion 
<PAGE>
 
          Notice") to the Corporation at its principal office or, at
          the option of the Corporation, at the offices of a conversion agent
          which the Corporation may designate from time to time by giving
          written notice of such designation to the holders of the 10% Preferred
          Stock, that the holder elects to convert such shares.  The Conversion
          Notice shall be accompanied by the certificate or certificates
          representing the shares of the 10% Preferred Stock to be converted,
          duly endorsed to the Corporation.  The Conversion Notice shall be
          deemed given when it is deposited in the United States mail with
          sufficient postage affixed or when it is delivered to the Corporation
          at its principal office (or to the offices of such conversion agent,
          if one be designated).


              (4) As soon as practicable after the receipt of the Conversion
          Notice and the certificates representing the shares of the 10%
          Preferred Stock to be converted, the Corporation shall issue and shall
          deliver to the record holder of the shares so surrendered for
          conversion by mail to the address of such record holder as it appears
          on the records of the Corporation, a certificate or certificates for
          the number of shares of Common Stock issuable upon conversion of the
          shares of the 10% Preferred Stock and a residual certificate for
          shares of the 10% Preferred Stock, if any, not converted.  Such
          conversion shall be deemed to have been effected on the date on which
          the Corporation (or the conversion agent, if one be designated), shall
          have received the Conversion Notice and the certificate or
          certificates representing shares of the 10% Preferred Stock to be
          converted, and the record holder shall be deemed to have become on
          such date the holder of record of the shares of Common Stock to be
          received upon conversion; provided, however, that any such surrender
          on any date when the stock transfer books of the Corporation shall be
          closed in accordance with the bylaws of the Corporation shall not be
          deemed to constitute the record holder as the holder of shares of
          Common Stock to be received upon conversion for any purpose until the
          close of business on the day succeeding the day on which such stock
          transfer books shall become open.

              (5) The Corporation shall not be required to issue fractional
          shares of Common Stock upon conversion of shares of the 10% Preferred
          Stock.  If any fractional interest in a share of Common Stock would be
          deliverable upon conversion of any shares of the 10% Preferred Stock,
          the Corporation shall make an adjustment therefor in cash at the
          current market value thereof, computed on the basis determined by the
          Corporation in its sole discretion.
 
<PAGE>
 

                             ARTICLES OF AMENDMENT
                                      OF
                           ARTICLES OF INCORPORATION
                                      OF
                         ONLINE SYSTEM SERVICES, INC.


     The undersigned, Thomas S. Plunkett, Chief Financial Officer of Online
System Services, Inc., a Colorado corporation (the "Corporation"), DOES HEREBY
CERTIFY that pursuant to actions taken by the Board of Directors on May 7, 1998
in accordance with Sections 7-106-101, 7-106-102 and 7-110-102 of the Colorado
Business Corporation Act, the following amendment was duly adopted by the Board
of Directors without shareholder approval as permitted by Section 7-106-102(4)
of the Colorado Business Corporation Act:


     ARTICLE IV of the Articles of Incorporation of the Corporation, as amended,
is further amended  by adding a new Section 6, the text of which is set forth on
Exhibit A attached hereto.


     IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned has executed these Articles of
Amendment this 22nd day of May, 1998.


                                    /s/ Thomas S. Plunkett
                                    ----------------------
                                    Thomas S. Plunkett
                                    Chief Financial Officer
<PAGE>
 
                                                                       EXHIBIT A

     6.   Designation of Preferred Stock.  The Corporation shall establish and
reserve for issuance from its 5,000,000 authorized shares of Preferred Stock a
class of convertible preferred stock consisting of 3,000 shares to be designated
as the 5% Preferred Stock (the "5% Preferred Stock").  The 5% Preferred Stock
shall have a stated value of the Liquidation Preference (as hereinafter
defined).  Except as otherwise expressly stated in this Section 6, all shares of
the 5% Preferred Stock shall be identical to the shares of 10% Preferred Stock,
and the holders of 5% Preferred Stock shall be entitled to the same preferences,
limitations and relative rights as the holders of 10% Preferred Stock.

          A.   Dividends.

               (1) Holders of the 5% Preferred Stock shall be entitled to
          receive, out of funds legally available therefor, dividends at a rate
          equal to 5% (the "Dividend Rate") of the Liquidation Preference per
          share per annum (subject to appropriate adjustments in the event of
          any stock dividend, stock split, combination or other similar
          recapitalization affecting such shares), and no more, payable in
          accordance with the provisions of this Section 6. Notwithstanding the
          foregoing sentence of this Subsection A(1), in the event the
          Registration Statement (as hereinafter defined) is not declared
          effective by the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "Commission")
          within 90 days following the Initial Closing Date (as defined in that
          certain Securities Purchase Agreement (the "Securities Purchase
          Agreement"), dated as of May 22, 1998, among the Corporation, the
          purchasers named therein and West End Capital LLC), then the Dividend
          Rate shall increase to 18% until the Registration Statement is
          declared effective; provided, however, that if the Commission conducts
          a review of the Registration Statement, the Dividend Rate shall not
          increase unless it is not declared effective by the Commission within
          120 days following the Initial Closing Date, at which time the
          Dividend Rate shall increase to 18% until the Registration Statement
          is declared effective.

               (2) At the election of the Corporation, each dividend on 5%
          Preferred Stock shall be paid either in shares of Common Stock or in
          cash on the Delivery Date (as defined in Subsection H(2)(a) of this
          Section 6) with respect to any shares of 5% Preferred Stock which are
          the subject of a Notice of Conversion (as defined in Subsection
          H(2)(a) of this Section 6). Dividends paid in shares of Common Stock
          shall be paid (based on an assumed value of $1,000 per share) in full
          shares only, with a cash payment equal to the value of any fractional
          shares. Each dividend paid in cash shall be mailed to the holders of
          record of the 5% Preferred Stock as their names and addresses appear
          on the share register of the Corporation or at the office of the
          transfer agent on the corresponding dividend payment date. Holders of
          5% Preferred Stock will receive written notification from the
          Corporation or the transfer agent if a dividend is paid in kind, which
          notification will specify the number of shares of Common Stock paid as
          a dividend and the recipient's aggregate holdings of Common Stock as
          of that dividend payment date and after giving effect to the dividend.
          All holders of shares of Common Stock issued as dividends shall be
          entitled to all of the rights and benefits relating to shares of
          Common Stock as
<PAGE>
 
          set forth in the Corporation's Articles of Incorporation, as amended,
          and By-laws.

               (3) Holders of the 5% Preferred Stock shall be entitled to
          payment of any dividends in preference and priority to any payment of
          any cash dividend on Common Stock or any other class or series of
          capital stock of the Corporation other than any other class or series
          of stock ranking senior ("Senior Preferred Stock") to the 5% Preferred
          Stock in respect of dividends, when and as declared by the Board of
          Directors of the Corporation. The rights of the holders of 5%
          Preferred Stock and 10% Preferred Stock to receive any dividends shall
          be equal in preference and priority. Dividends on the 5% Preferred
          Stock shall accrue with respect to each share of the 5% Preferred
          Stock from the date on which such share is issued and outstanding and
          thereafter shall be deemed to accrue from day to day whether or not
          earned or declared and whether or not there exists profits, surplus or
          other funds legally available for the payment of dividends, and shall
          be cumulative so that if such dividends on the 5% Preferred Stock
          shall not have been paid, or declared and set apart for payment, the
          deficiency shall be fully paid or declared and set apart for payment
          before any dividend shall be paid or declared or set apart for any
          Common Stock or other class or series of capital stock ranking junior
          to the 5% Preferred Stock (such stock being collectively referred to
          herein as the "Junior Stock") and before any purchase or acquisition
          of any Junior Stock is made by the Corporation, except the repurchase
          of Junior Stock from employees of the Corporation upon termination of
          employment. At the earlier of: (1) the redemption or conversion of the
          5% Preferred Stock or (2) the liquidation of the Corporation, any
          accrued but undeclared dividends shall be paid to the holders of
          record of outstanding shares of the 5% Preferred Stock in accordance
          with the provisions of this Section 6. No accumulation of dividends on
          the 5% Preferred Stock shall bear interest.

          B.   Liquidation, Dissolution or Winding Up.

               (1) In the event of any voluntary or involuntary liquidation,
          dissolution or winding up of the Corporation, the holders of shares of
          the 5% Preferred Stock then outstanding shall be entitled to be paid
          out of the assets of the Corporation available for distribution to its
          stockholders, after and subject to the payment in full of all amounts
          required to be distributed to the holders of any Senior Preferred
          Stock ranking on liquidation prior and in preference to the Preferred
          Stock, but before any payment shall be made to the holders of Junior
          Stock by reason of their ownership thereof, an amount equal to $1,000
          per share of 5% Preferred Stock (the "Liquidation Preference") plus
          any accrued but unpaid dividends (whether or not declared).  The
          rights of the holders of 5% Preferred Stock and 10% Preferred Stock to
          receive any such distributions shall be equal in preference and
          priority.  If upon any such liquidation, dissolution or winding up of
          the Corporation the remaining assets of the Corporation available for
          distribution to its shareholders shall be insufficient to pay the
          holders of shares of the 5% Preferred Stock the full amount to which
          they shall be entitled, the holders of shares of the 5% Preferred
          Stock shall share ratably in any distribution of the remaining assets
          and funds of the Corporation in proportion to the respective amounts
          which would otherwise be payable in respect of the

                                      -3-
<PAGE>
 
          shares held by them upon such distribution if all amounts payable on
          or with respect to such shares were paid in full.

               (2) After the payment of all preferential amounts required to be
          paid to the holders of the 5% Preferred Stock and the 10% Preferred
          Stock upon the dissolution, liquidation, or winding up of the
          Corporation, all of the remaining assets and funds of the Corporation
          available for distribution to its shareholders shall be distributed
          ratably among the holders of the 5% Preferred Stock and the Junior
          Stock, with each share of 5% Preferred Stock being deemed, for such
          purpose, to be equal to the number of shares of Common Stock,
          including fractions of a share, into which such share of 5% Preferred
          Stock is convertible immediately prior to the close of business on the
          business day fixed for such distribution.

          C.   Voting.

               (1) Each holder of outstanding shares of 5% Preferred Stock shall
          be entitled, at each meeting of shareholders of the Corporation (and
          with respect to written consents of shareholders in lieu of meetings)
          with respect to any and all matters presented to the shareholders of
          the Corporation for their action or consideration, to the number of
          votes equal to the number of whole shares of Common Stock into which
          the shares of 5% Preferred Stock held by such holder are convertible
          (as adjusted from time to time pursuant to Subsection H hereof)
          immediately after the close of business on the record date fixed for
          such meeting or the effective date of such written consent. Except as
          provided by law, by the provisions of Section J below, or by the
          provisions establishing any other series of preferred stock, holders
          of 5% Preferred Stock shall vote together with the holders Common
          Stock as a single class.

               (2) The holders of the 5% Preferred Stock shall not be entitled
          to any rights of cumulative voting with respect to their shares.

          D. Preemptive Rights.  No holder of Preferred Stock shall have any
     preemptive or similar right to acquire any additional unissued or treasury
     shares of stock or securities of any class or rights, warrants or options
     to purchase stock or scrip or securities in any kind, including shares or
     securities convertible into shares or carrying stock purchase warrants or
     privileges.

          E. Other Securities.  Subject to any limitations contained in these
     Articles of Incorporation, the Board of Directors of the Corporation
     reserves the right to establish additional classes and/or series of capital
     stock of the Corporation and to designate the preferences, limitations and
     relative rights of any such classes and/or series; provided, however, that
     no such class and/or series may have preferences, limitations and relative
     rights which are superior to or senior to the preferences, limitations and
     relative rights granted to the holders of the 5% Preferred Stock.

          F. Capital Reorganization.  If the Corporation shall at any time
     hereafter subdivide or combine its outstanding shares of Common Stock,
     declare a dividend payable in Common Stock, or in case of any capital
     reorganization or reclassification of the shares of Common Stock of the
     Corporation, the number of shares of the 5%

                                      -4-
<PAGE>
 
     Preferred Stock and the stated value of the 5% Preferred Stock shall be
     adjusted appropriately to allow the holders of the 5% Preferred Stock, as
     nearly as reasonably possible, to maintain (i) the aggregate stated value
     of the 5% Preferred Stock and (ii) their pro rata interest in the
     Corporation and in the Common Stock upon conversion of the 5% Preferred
     Stock, that each holder had prior to any such subdivision, combination,
     stock dividend, reorganization or reclassification.

          G.   Optional Redemption

               (1) At any time within the 120 days following the Initial Closing
          Date, the Corporation may, at its option, redeem all or any portion of
          the shares of 5% Preferred Stock then outstanding upon not less than
          ten (10) days' notice at a redemption price per share equal to (A) the
          quotient of (i) the Liquidation Preference per share of 5% Preferred
          Stock plus all accrued but unpaid dividends on such shares of 5%
          Preferred Stock and (ii) the Conversion Price as if the 5% Preferred
          Stock has been converted on the 5% Preferred Stock Redemption Date (as
          hereinafter defined) multiplied by (B) the average Closing Bid Price
          (as hereinafter defined) of shares of Common Stock for the five (5)
          trading days immediately preceding the 5% Preferred Stock Redemption
          Date. Notwithstanding the foregoing, a redemption shall not occur
          pursuant to this Subsection G(1) with respect to any 5% Preferred
          Stock for which a holder has previously submitted a Notice of
          Conversion pursuant to Subsection H of this Section 6. For purposes of
          this Section 6, the term "Closing Bid Price" means, for any security
          as of any date, the closing bid price on the principal securities
          exchange or trading market where the Common Stock is listed or traded
          as reported by Bloomberg, L.P. ("Bloomberg") or, if applicable, the
          closing bid price of the Common Stock in the over-the-counter market
          on the electronic bulletin board for such security as reported by
          Bloomberg, or, if no closing bid price is reported for the Common
          Stock by Bloomberg, then the average of the bid prices of any market
          makers for such security as reported in the "pink sheets" by the
          National Quotation Bureau, Inc. If the Closing Bid Price of the Common
          Stock cannot be calculated on such date on any of the foregoing bases,
          the Closing Bid Price of the Common Stock on such date shall be the
          fair market value as mutually determined by the Corporation and
          holders of a majority of the outstanding shares of 5% Preferred Stock
          being converted for which the calculation of the Closing Bid Price is
          required in order to determine the Conversion Price of such shares.
          "Trading day" shall mean any day on which the Corporation's Common
          Stock is traded for any period on the principal securities exchange or
          other securities market on which the Common Stock is then being
          traded.

               (2) Upon receipt of a notice given pursuant to Subsection G(1),
          each holder of 5% Preferred Stock shall accept its ratable portion
          (based on its holdings of 5% Preferred Stock as compared to the
          aggregate number of shares of 5% Preferred Stock then outstanding) of
          such offer by tendering such holder's shares to the Corporation for
          redemption, at an address to be set forth in such notice, at any time
          prior to 5:00 p.m. New York time on the 11th day following the mailing
          of such notice (the "5% Preferred Stock Redemption Date"). Upon
          receipt of a notice given pursuant to Subsection G(1) of this Section
          6, the 5% Preferred Stock which is the subject of such notice may not
          thereafter be

                                      -5-
<PAGE>
 
          converted in accordance with Subsection H(1)(a) of this Section 6,
          unless a Notice of Conversion relating to such 5% Preferred Stock had
          previously been submitted.  Within three (3) business days after the
          5% Preferred Stock Redemption Date, the Corporation shall remit the
          applicable redemption price, calculated pursuant to Subsection G(1) of
          this Section 6, by wire transfer to each holder of the 5% Preferred
          Stock to the most recent address of each holder as set forth on the
          records of the Corporation or its transfer agent.

               (3) Any shares of 5% Preferred Stock redeemed pursuant to this
          Subsection G or otherwise acquired by the Corporation in any manner
          whatsoever shall be canceled and shall not under any circumstances be
          reissued.  The Corporation may from time to time take such appropriate
          corporate action as may be necessary to reduce accordingly the number
          of authorized shares of the Corporation's capital stock.

          H.   Conversion.

               (1) Subject to Subsection G(2) of this Section 6, the holders of
          the 5% Preferred Stock shall have conversion rights as follows (the
          "5% Preferred Stock Conversion Rights"):

                    (a) Each share of 5% Preferred Stock shall be convertible,
               at the option of the holder thereof, at any time and from time to
               time, into such number of fully paid and nonassessable shares of
               Common Stock as is determined by dividing $1,000, plus the amount
               of any accrued and unpaid dividends the Corporation elects to pay
               in Common Stock, by the Conversion Price in effect at the time of
               conversion. The Conversion Price at which shares of Common Stock
               shall be deliverable upon conversion of 5% Preferred Stock
               without the payment of additional consideration by the holder
               thereof (the "Conversion Price") shall be the lower of (i) $16.33
               or (ii) 86% of the average Closing Bid Price of the shares of
               Common Stock for the five (5) trading days immediately preceding
               the 5% Preferred Stock Conversion Date (as hereinafter defined).

                    (b) At any time that the number of shares of Common Stock
               issued (A) upon conversion of the 5% Preferred Stock and (B) in
               lieu of dividend payments on the 5% Preferred Stock, shall equal
               574,281 (a "Common Stock Redemption Event"), the Corporation
               shall (x) redeem, at a price determined in accordance with
               Subsection G(1) of this Section 6, all of the outstanding 5%
               Preferred Stock in accordance with the provisions of Subsection
               G(2) or (y) call a special meeting of its shareholders for the
               purpose of approving the transactions contemplated by the
               Securities Purchase Agreement, including the issuance of the 5%
               Preferred Stock on the terms set forth therein, together with any
               other approvals that shall be required so as to cause the
               transactions contemplated by the Securities Purchase Agreement to
               remain in compliance with the Rules and Regulations of The Nasdaq
               Stock Market (including Rule 4320 of Nasdaq's Non-Qualitative
               Designation Criteria in connection with conversions of 5%
               Preferred Stock; such approvals

                                      -6-
<PAGE>
 
               are referred to herein as the "Required Approvals").  The
               Corporation shall determine within five (5) business days
               following the receipt of a Notice of Conversion which of such
               actions it shall take, and shall promptly furnish notice to each
               of the holders of 5% Preferred Stock as to such determination,
               including, if applicable, a notice of redemption.  In no event
               shall the Corporation issue shares of Common Stock upon
               conversion of, or in lieu of interest payments on, the 5%
               Preferred Stock, after the occurrence of a Common Stock
               Redemption Event until the Required Approvals, if any, are
               obtained.

                    (c) If the Corporation elects to call a special meeting of
               its shareholders pursuant to Subsection H(1)(b) of this Section 6
               to obtain the Required Approvals, the Corporation shall use its
               best efforts to obtain such Required Approvals within one hundred
               twenty (120) days of the Initial Closing Date (such one hundred
               twenty (120) day period is referred to herein as an "Approval
               Period"). If the Corporation does not obtain the Required
               Approvals within the Approval Period and the Corporation receives
               a Notice of Conversion after the termination of the Approval
               Period, the Corporation must redeem, in accordance with this
               Subsection H of this Section 6, any shares of 5% Preferred Stock
               outstanding after the Corporation has issued in excess of 574,281
               shares of Common Stock in connection with conversions of the 5%
               Preferred Stock.

                    (d) If the Corporation elects, pursuant to this Subsection
               H, to redeem the 5% Preferred Stock on the occurrence of a Common
               Stock Redemption Event, it shall redeem such 5% Preferred Stock
               at the price determined in accordance with Subsection G(1) of
               this Section 6. If the Corporation shall have elected, pursuant
               to this Subsection H(1), to obtain the Required Approvals but
               shall not have done so by the later of the occurrence of the
               Common Stock Redemption Event or the expiration of the Approval
               Period, it shall furnish a redemption notice to the Purchasers
               within three (3) business days after the expiration of the
               Approval Period.

               (2) The 5% Preferred Stock Conversion Rights shall be exercised
          as follows:

                    (a) The Corporation will permit each holder of 5% Preferred
               Stock to exercise its right to convert the 5% Preferred Stock by
               faxing an executed and completed notice of conversion (the
               "Notice of Conversion") to the Corporation, and delivering within
               three (3) business days thereafter, the original Notice of
               Conversion (and the certificates representing the related shares
               of 5% Preferred Stock) to the Corporation by hand delivery or by
               express courier, duly endorsed. Each date on which a Notice of
               Conversion is faxed to and received in accordance with the
               provisions hereof shall be deemed a "5% Preferred Stock
               Conversion Date." The Corporation will transmit the certificates
               representing the Common Stock issuable upon conversion of the 5%
               Preferred Stock (together with certificates representing the
               related shares

                                      -7-
<PAGE>
 
               of 5% Preferred Stock not so converted and, if applicable, a
               check representing any fraction of a share not converted) to such
               holder via express courier as soon as practicable, but in all
               events no later than the later to occur of (the "Delivery Date")
               (i) three (3) business days after the 5% Preferred Stock
               Conversion Date, or (ii) three (3) business days after receipt by
               the Corporation of the original Notice of Conversion (and the
               certificates representing the related shares of 5% Preferred
               Stock).  For purposes of this Section 6, such conversion of the
               5% Preferred Stock shall be deemed to have been made immediately
               prior to the close of business on the 5% Preferred Stock
               Conversion Date.

                    (b) In lieu of delivering physical certificates representing
               the Common Stock issuable upon the conversion of the 5% Preferred
               Stock, provided that the Corporation's transfer agent is
               participating in the Depository Trust Corporation ("DTC") Fast
               Automated Securities Transfer program, on the written request of
               a holder of 5% Preferred Stock who shall have previously
               instructed such holder's prime broker to confirm such request to
               the Corporation's transfer agent, the Corporation shall use
               commercially reasonable efforts to cause its transfer agent to
               electronically transmit such Common Stock to such holder by
               crediting the account of the holder's prime broker with DTC
               through its Deposit Withdrawal Agent Commission system no later
               than the applicable Delivery Date.

                    (c) The Corporation will at all times have authorized and
               reserved for the purpose of issuance a sufficient number of
               shares of Common Stock to provide for the conversion of the 5%
               Preferred Stock. The Corporation will use its best efforts at all
               times to maintain a number of shares of Common Stock so reserved
               for issuance that is no less than one and one-half (1.5) times
               the number that is then actually issuable upon the conversion of
               the 5% Preferred Stock, the exercise of the Warrants issued
               pursuant to the Securities Purchase Agreement and the maximum
               number of shares of Additional Common Stock (as defined in the
               Securities Purchase Agreement) which may be issued in accordance
               with the Securities Purchase Agreement. Before taking any action
               which would cause an adjustment reducing the Conversion Price
               below the established par value of the shares of Common Stock
               issuable upon conversion of the 5% Preferred Stock, the
               Corporation will take any corporate action which may, in the
               opinion of its counsel, be necessary in order that the
               Corporation may validly and legally issue fully paid and
               nonassessable shares of Common Stock at such adjusted Conversion
               Price.

                    (d) All shares of 5% Preferred Stock, which shall have been
               surrendered for conversion as herein provided shall no longer be
               deemed to be outstanding, and all rights with respect to such
               shares, including the rights, if any, to receive dividends,
               notices and to vote, shall immediately cease and terminate on the
               5% Preferred Stock Conversion Date, except only the right of the
               holders thereof to receive shares of Common Stock in exchange
               therefor. Any shares of 5% Preferred Stock 

                                      -8-
<PAGE>
 
               so converted shall be retired and canceled and shall not be
               reissued, and the Corporation may from time to time take such
               appropriate action as may be necessary to reduce the number of
               shares of authorized 5% Preferred Stock accordingly.

               (3) In the event of a liquidation of the Corporation, the 5%
          Preferred Stock Conversion Rights shall terminate at the close of
          business on the first full day preceding the date fixed for the
          payment of any amounts distributable on liquidation to the holders of
          the 5% Preferred Stock.

               (4) If the conversion is in connection with an underwritten offer
          of securities registered pursuant to the Securities Act of 1933, as
          amended, the conversion may, at the option of any holder tendering 5%
          Preferred Stock for conversion, be conditioned upon the closing with
          the underwriter of the sale of securities pursuant to such offering,
          in which event the person(s) entitled to receive the Common Stock
          issuable upon such conversion of the 5% Preferred Stock shall not be
          deemed to have converted such 5% Preferred Stock until immediately
          prior to the closing of the sale of securities.

               (5) At no time shall any holder of the 5% Preferred Stock convert
          such amount of 5% Preferred Stock as shall result in such Purchaser's
          ownership, after such conversion, exceeding 9.9% of the Corporation's
          outstanding Common Stock.

               (6) No fractional shares of Common Stock shall be issued upon
          conversion of the Preferred Stock. In lieu of fractional shares, the
          Corporation shall pay cash equal to such fraction multiplied by the
          then effective and applicable Conversion Price.

               (7) The Corporation will not, by amendment of its Articles of
          Incorporation or through any reorganization, transfer of assets,
          consolidation, merger, dissolution, issue or sale of securities or any
          other voluntary action, avoid or seek to avoid the observance or
          performance of any of the terms to be observed or performed under this
          Subsection H by the Corporation, but will at all times in good faith
          assist in the carrying out of all the provisions of this Subsection H
          and in the taking of all such action as may be necessary or
          appropriate in order to protect the 5% Preferred Stock Conversion
          Rights of the holders of the 5% Preferred Stock against impairment.

               (8) In the event (a) that the Corporation declares a dividend (or
          any other distribution) on its Common Stock payable in Common Stock or
          other securities of the Corporation, (b) that the Corporation
          subdivides or combines its outstanding shares of Common Stock, (c) of
          any reclassification of the Common Stock of the Corporation (other
          than a subdivision or combination of its outstanding shares of Common
          Stock or a stock dividend or stock distribution thereon), (d) of any
          consolidation or merger of the Corporation into or with another
          corporation, (e) of the sale of all or substantially all of the assets
          of the Corporation, or (f) of the involuntary or voluntary
          dissolution, liquidation or winding up of the Corporation, then the
          Corporation shall cause to be filed at its principal office or at the
          office of the transfer agent of the Preferred Stock, and

                                      -9-
<PAGE>
 
          shall cause to be mailed to each holder of the Preferred Stock at
          their last address as shown on the records of the Corporation or such
          transfer agent, at least ten (10) days prior to the record date
          specified in (i) below or twenty (20) days before the date specified
          in (ii) below, a notice stating

                    (i) the record date of such dividend, distribution,
               subdivision or combination, or, if a record is not to be taken,
               the date as of which the holders of Common Stock of record to be
               entitled to such dividend, distribution, subdivision or
               combination are to be determined, or

                   (ii) the date on which such reclassification, consolidation,
               merger, sale, dissolution, liquidation or winding up is expected
               to become effective, and the date as of which it is expected that
               holders of Common Stock of record shall be entitled to exchange
               their shares of Common Stock for securities or other property
               deliverable upon such reclassification, consolidation, merger,
               sale, dissolution or winding up.

          I. Sinking Fund.  There shall be no sinking fund for the payment of
     dividends, or liquidation preferences on the 5% Preferred Stock or the
     redemption of any shares thereof.

          J. Amendment.  This Section 6 constitutes an agreement between the
     Corporation and the holders of the 5% Preferred Stock.  The Corporation
     shall not amend this Section 6 or alter or repeal the preferences, rights,
     powers or other terms of the 5% Preferred Stock so as to affect adversely
     the 5% Preferred Stock, without the written consent or affirmative vote of
     the holders of at least sixty-six and two-thirds percent (66 2/3%) of the
     then outstanding shares of 5% Preferred Stock, given in writing or by vote
     at a meeting, consenting or voting (as the case may be) separately as a
     class.


                                     -10-

<PAGE>
 
                                                                    EXHIBIT 23.1



                   CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT PUBLIC ACCOUNTANTS


As independent public accountants, we hereby consent to the incorporation by
reference in this Registration Statement on Form S-3 (Registration Statement
File No. 333-3282-D) of our report dated February 27, 1998 (except with respect
to the matter discussed in Note 12 as to which the date is March 12, 1998),
included in Online System Services, Inc. Form 10-KSB for the year ended December
31, 1997 and to all references to our Firm included in this Registration
Statement.


/s/ Arthur Andersen LLP

Denver, Colorado,
June 22, 1998.


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