EXHIBIT 10.4.4


                                PROMISSORY NOTE A

$1,500,000.00                                                   February 1, 2001

                                                         Raleigh, North Carolina

     FOR VALUE RECEIVED, the undersigned, e-commerce support centers, inc., a
North Carolina corporation (the "Company"), hereby promises to pay to the order
of Gibralter Publishing, Inc., a North Carolina corporation ("Gibralter"), the
principal sum of One Million Five Hundred Thousand and No/100 Dollars
($1,500,000.00), or so much thereof as shall be outstanding from time to time
during the term hereof. All principal and interest shall be paid and collected
in immediately available funds in lawful money of the United States of America.
Interest shall accrue from the date hereof, up to and through the Maturity Date.
Principal and interest thereon shall be due and payable in equal monthly
installments of Twenty-Five Thousand and No/100 Dollars ($25,000.00) each during
the term hereof (each, a "Monthly Payment" and collectively, the "Monthly
Payments"), beginning on the first (1st) day of each calendar month immediately
following the Closing Date and continuing thereafter on the first (1st) day of
every calendar month during the term hereof. All outstanding principal and
accrued but unpaid interest shall be due and payable in full one hundred eighty
(180) days from the date hereof (the "Maturity Date"). Gibralter covenants and
agrees that all Monthly Payments made by the Company under this Note shall be
credited to reduce the amount of outstanding principal and interest due and
owing hereunder. Interest hereunder shall be computed on the basis of the actual
number of days elapsed in a 365-day year, and shall be calculated on the
outstanding principal balance hereunder at an annual rate of interest equal to
ten percent (10%) per annum.

     In addition to principal and interest, the Company agrees to pay all costs
of collection, including, without limitation, reasonable attorneys' fees if the
indebtedness evidenced hereby is collected by or through an attorney-at-law.

     The Company at its option may prepay the indebtedness evidenced by this
Note in whole or in part without penalty or premium but with accrued interest to
the date of such prepayment of the principal amount prepaid.

     This Note is given in accordance with the terms of that certain Agreement
and Plan of Merger dated as of December 21, 2000 (the "Merger Agreement"),
between the Company, Paladyne Corp., a Delaware corporation ("Paladyne"),
Gibralter and the other parties thereto. All capitalized terms used herein and
not otherwise defined shall have their respective meanings as set forth in the
Merger Agreement. This Note shall be secured by a security interest granted
pursuant to a security agreement dated as of the 1st day of February, 2001 (the
"Security Agreement").

     The following events shall constitute a default under this Note (each, a
"Default"): (a) the Company's failure to pay one or more Monthly Payments when
such payments are due hereunder; (b) the Company's failure to pay all
outstanding and accrued but unpaid interest on the Maturity Date; or (c) a
default or breach shall occur under any other promissory note, loan or credit





agreement, lien instrument, or other financing document to which the Company is
a party and which default or breach is not cured within any applicable grace
period thereunder.

     In consideration of the loan evidenced by this Note, Paladyne hereby
irrevocably, absolutely and unconditionally guarantees prompt payment of this
Note in full, when due, whether by acceleration or otherwise, to Gibralter, its
successors, endorsees, or assigns, irrespective of the genuineness, validity or
enforceability of this Note, or the existence of any security for payment of
this Note, pursuant to that certain unconditional guaranty agreement dated as of
the 1st day of February, 2001 (the "Guaranty").

     No delay or failure on the part of Gibralter or on the part of any holder
of this Note in the exercise of any right, power or privilege granted under this
Note, or otherwise available by agreement, at law or in equity, shall impair any
such right, power or privilege or be construed as a waiver thereof. No single or
partial exercise of any such right, power or privilege shall preclude the
further exercise of such right, power or privilege. No waiver shall be valid
against Gibralter unless made in writing and signed by Gibralter, and then only
to the extent expressly specified therein.

     This Note shall not be subordinated, assigned, or otherwise transferred by
the Company without the prior written consent of Gibralter.

     Time is of the essence hereunder. This note shall be governed by the laws
of the State of North Carolina.

              PRESENTMENT AND NOTICE OF DISHONOR ARE HEREBY WAIVED.

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     IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Company has caused this Note to be executed in its
name and attested to by its authorized officers, and its corporate seal to be
hereunto affixed, all as of the date first above written.

                                        COMPANY:

                                        E-COMMERCE SUPPORT CENTERS, INC.
                                        a North Carolina corporation

   ATTEST:                              By: /s/ Terrence J. Leifheit
                                           ------------------------------------
/s/ Clifford A. Clark                      Terrence J. Leifheit, President
- -----------------------------
Clifford A. Clark, Secretary

[CORPORATE SEAL]


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