EXHIBIT 5.1


December 9, 1999


adam.com, Inc.
1600 Riveredge Parkway
Suite 800
Atlanta, Georgia  30328

         Re:      adam.com, Inc.
                  REGISTRATION STATEMENT ON FORM S-8

Ladies and Gentlemen:

         We have acted as counsel for adam.com, Inc., a Georgia corporation (the
"Company"), in connection with the preparation of a Registration Statement on
Form S-8 (the "Registration Statement") to be filed with the Securities and
Exchange Commission relating to 1,600,000 shares of common stock (the "Shares")
issuable by the Company pursuant to the A.D.A.M. Software, Inc. Amended and
Restated 1992 Stock Option Plan (the "Option Plan").

         As such counsel, we have examined and relied upon such records,
documents, certificates and other instruments as in our judgment are necessary
or appropriate to form the basis for the opinions hereinafter set forth. In all
such examinations, we have assumed the genuineness of signatures on original
documents and the conformity to such original documents of all copies submitted
to us as certified, conformed or photographic copies, and as to certificates of
public officials, we have assumed the same to have been properly given and to be
accurate.

         The opinions expressed herein are limited in all respects to the
corporate law of the State of Georgia, and no opinion is expressed with respect
to the laws of any other jurisdiction or any effect which such laws may have on
the opinions expressed herein. This opinion is limited to the matters stated
herein, and no opinion is implied or may be inferred beyond the matters
expressly stated herein.

         Based upon the foregoing, we are of the opinion that: (i) the Shares
are duly authorized; and (ii) upon the issuance of the Shares against payment
therefor as provided in the Option Plan, the Shares will be validly issued,
fully paid and nonassessable.

         This opinion is given as of the date hereof, and we assume no
obligation to advise you after the date hereof of facts or circumstances that
come to our attention or changes in law that occur which could affect the
opinions contained herein. This letter is being rendered solely for the benefit
of adam.com, Inc. in connection with the matters addressed herein. This opinion
may not be furnished to or relied upon by any person or entity for any purpose
without our prior written consent.

         We consent to the filing of this opinion as an Exhibit to the
Registration Statement.

                                Very truly yours,


                                 King & Spalding