In this report, we will tell you about some of the popular online services
available. The services act as a "Super BBS" that allows you to exchange
messages and information, chat among users, participate in several
conferences, shop online for just about anything (the computer version of
"Home Shopping Club"), as well as make airline reservations and do several
other things.
Online Information Service Advantages
There are several things that online information services all have in common
with each other.
* Large Database of files for downloading
* Extensive mail files for downloading
* Numerous conferences, forums, and discussions available
* One information database, AT LEAST!
* Several games available for one player or multiple players.
* A wide variety of user-friendly services
Many of these features can be found online at no charge. Since they charge
access fees, you might be wondering why anyone would pay for access to an
online information service when they can call local BBSes for free. Well,
the reason should be obvious. To put it simply, it is because they are BIG!
There are literally tens of thousands of people around the world who tap
into an online service.
You can find information on just about anything that you are interested in.
What? You like studying the life cycle of fish that live on the bottom of
the ocean? Well, you probably can find information about that topic some
where on an online information service. Interested in the latest political
nonsense? Yes, you can find information about politics. Just a general
question about what is available online? You can find it all on online
information services.
Many of the online information services will offer a continuous chat
conference known as "CB" or "Citizen's Band" conference. It works much
like CB Radio operates. You talk to people by typing on the computer.
There are hundreds of online games that you can play either by yourself
or you can play against another user. The advantage of online games is
that you can play against someone else who is online at the same time.
You don't have to make a play, and then wait a week for the next person
to log on and then play. You can play an entire game in just a few minutes
or an hour, however long it takes to play a complete game.
You might play a game where you get into a WWII airplane and do battle
Page 1
against the NAZIs, (all the other players are the NAZIs, or vice versa).
You might play a game where you and al of your teammates are in a dungeon,
and you will use your own knowledge and expertise to navigate the team
through the dungeon without being killed. This will be an exciting game
to play because each player has different ideas, so the game will be
different each time you play.
Even though these are all common on most online information services, most
of them offer databases for specific informaiton to users.
You may also use online information services to do your shopping. Many
companies offer items for sale in a service area usually called something
like: "The Electronic Mall," "The Mall," or "Electronic Shoppers Club"
(ESC). You shop by selecting an item that you want and selecting the
quantity, and then they bill you and send you the product.
Several of the online services offer what is called "Check-Free Transaction
Processing" from the CheckFree Processing Center. This allows you to pay
your bills electronically by debiting your checking account and crediting
the payee's account. This makes it so you don't have to write and mail
a check, and it takes care of a lot of paperwork you would otherwise have
to do. This service also provides you with updated registers showing your
account status.
Many software companies are offering online help for users, as well as
customer support. You can find conferences available that will talk about
almost any Microsoft product. These conferences are almost always moderated
by a person representing the software company being discussed.
In general, these online information services are a good place to go for
help on a specific matter or topic; or to get involved in a quick game of
chess or checkers, etc.; or to pick up on a good buy in the "mall".
Kamis, 24 Januari 2008
SELECTING YOUR FIRST COMPUTER
There are still a lot of mail order dealers and regular everyday people
performing their daily office and accounting duties by hand. This is unfor-
tunate because a computer system will cut your workload up to 80% _ thereby
leaving you more time to market and develop new products. Plus _ it's fun.
There has not been one single person that I have trained or knew, that after
learning what a computer could do for them, thought it was a bad idea. In
fact, everyone couldn't understand "how" they did without one and will never
go back to the old method again.
Of course, most people are either "afraid" or don't feel they have the time
to learn a computer system. They like the old way of doing things because it
works for them. But _ if you want your business to boom _ you must invest in
some type of computer system.
For the beginner to the world of computers, you really don't need a system
with a lot of "frills" to complicate your learning process. There are lots
of older XT's and word processors on the market in the $250-$400 range.
That's about the same amount you would pay for a typewriter and it's much
more efficient.
A basic system will handle mundane tasks without error, keep your mailing
lists updated, labels printed and basic accounting functions. The best place
to begin looking for a computer system for YOUR particular needs is a
national, monthly publication entitled "Computer Shopper." Their address is
PO Box 51020, Boulder CO 80321 and a 1-year subscription is currently $21.97.
This gigantic book/magazine It's packed with over 700 pages per issue of the
lowest prices and highest quality computer services around. In addition,
if you study the contents you will gain a terrific computer education. Don't
be afraid to call manufacturers and ask specific questions on a system they
are selling. Explain your needs (and possible future needs if you know them)
and ask the sales person for advice.
Don't take everything the salesperson says as "gospel" and call around. Don't
be worried about not understanding computer language. If you study the ads in
your "Computer Shopper" things will begin to make sense. (To a lot of people,
this magazine is the bible of the computer business.)
Check with other manufacturers to find out what they have to say. Compare
prices. The only thing you need to keep in mind is determining exactly what
you are planning to use your computer system for. Not everyone needs desktop
publishing, engineering functions and costly word processing software. You
may be able to obtain your software programs through Shareware and Freeware
(low-cost or free programs). Take your time and ease into your new
computerized office very slowly. You'll love the change!
In the meantime, here are a few low-cost computer systems you may want to
check out. Just keep in mind that things change over time and these prices
may not be current at the time you are reading them. However, they will give
you some type of starting point until you get your hands on a "Computer
Shopper":
286/12 Computer System with 40 megabyte hard drive, 1 megabyte of RAM (random
access memory), 3 1/2" floppy drive, 5 1/4" floppy drive, 14" black and white
monitor. $499 from H&J Electronics, 800-275-2447
386SX/40 Computer System with 125 megabyte hard drive, 2 megabyte RAM,
3 1/2" floppy drive, 5 1/4" floppy drive, 14" color monitor. $799 from
Midwest Micro, 800-572-8844
486SX/25 Computer System with 120 megabyte hard drive, 4 megabyte RAM,
3 1/2" floppy drive, 14" color monitor. $1,295 or $50 per month from NCR
(an AT&T Company), 800-398-6346
Used Computers and Equipment. Just call General Electric Rental/Lease,
800-875-3396
performing their daily office and accounting duties by hand. This is unfor-
tunate because a computer system will cut your workload up to 80% _ thereby
leaving you more time to market and develop new products. Plus _ it's fun.
There has not been one single person that I have trained or knew, that after
learning what a computer could do for them, thought it was a bad idea. In
fact, everyone couldn't understand "how" they did without one and will never
go back to the old method again.
Of course, most people are either "afraid" or don't feel they have the time
to learn a computer system. They like the old way of doing things because it
works for them. But _ if you want your business to boom _ you must invest in
some type of computer system.
For the beginner to the world of computers, you really don't need a system
with a lot of "frills" to complicate your learning process. There are lots
of older XT's and word processors on the market in the $250-$400 range.
That's about the same amount you would pay for a typewriter and it's much
more efficient.
A basic system will handle mundane tasks without error, keep your mailing
lists updated, labels printed and basic accounting functions. The best place
to begin looking for a computer system for YOUR particular needs is a
national, monthly publication entitled "Computer Shopper." Their address is
PO Box 51020, Boulder CO 80321 and a 1-year subscription is currently $21.97.
This gigantic book/magazine It's packed with over 700 pages per issue of the
lowest prices and highest quality computer services around. In addition,
if you study the contents you will gain a terrific computer education. Don't
be afraid to call manufacturers and ask specific questions on a system they
are selling. Explain your needs (and possible future needs if you know them)
and ask the sales person for advice.
Don't take everything the salesperson says as "gospel" and call around. Don't
be worried about not understanding computer language. If you study the ads in
your "Computer Shopper" things will begin to make sense. (To a lot of people,
this magazine is the bible of the computer business.)
Check with other manufacturers to find out what they have to say. Compare
prices. The only thing you need to keep in mind is determining exactly what
you are planning to use your computer system for. Not everyone needs desktop
publishing, engineering functions and costly word processing software. You
may be able to obtain your software programs through Shareware and Freeware
(low-cost or free programs). Take your time and ease into your new
computerized office very slowly. You'll love the change!
In the meantime, here are a few low-cost computer systems you may want to
check out. Just keep in mind that things change over time and these prices
may not be current at the time you are reading them. However, they will give
you some type of starting point until you get your hands on a "Computer
Shopper":
286/12 Computer System with 40 megabyte hard drive, 1 megabyte of RAM (random
access memory), 3 1/2" floppy drive, 5 1/4" floppy drive, 14" black and white
monitor. $499 from H&J Electronics, 800-275-2447
386SX/40 Computer System with 125 megabyte hard drive, 2 megabyte RAM,
3 1/2" floppy drive, 5 1/4" floppy drive, 14" color monitor. $799 from
Midwest Micro, 800-572-8844
486SX/25 Computer System with 120 megabyte hard drive, 4 megabyte RAM,
3 1/2" floppy drive, 14" color monitor. $1,295 or $50 per month from NCR
(an AT&T Company), 800-398-6346
Used Computers and Equipment. Just call General Electric Rental/Lease,
800-875-3396
ELECTRONIC ADVERTISING SERVICE
The July 25 issue of TIME Magazine devoted its cover story to a new medium
that is currently being used by over 25 million people and is growing by
2 million new subscribers every single month.
This new medium is at the core of what are called Electronic Bulletin
Boards - a system by which people with computers can get entertainment
programs, make travel reservations, play games, get stock market reports,
watch the news, even buy & sell products - using a computer.
Anyone with a computer can access any Bulletin Board by simply plugging
an ordinary telephone line to the computer. Take note of the following:
> With a regular telephone line, people can (using a standard
telephone) send and receive spoken words and sounds.
> With a regular telephone line, people can (using a fax
machine) send and receive copies of printed images,
whether text, photos, or or designs.
> With a regular telephone line, people can (using a computer
with a Bulletin Board system) send photos, graphic designs,
moving pictures and sound - just like television.
TYPES OF BULLETIN BOARDS
There are bulletin boards for nearly every subject matter. There are
bulletin boards for pet owners, bulletin boards for school teachers,
for doctors, lawyers, entrepreneurs and many other fields of interest.
Of course, the most popular type of commercial bulletin boards are those
that accept advertising, where people from all over the country buy & sell
a variety of products and services.
In fact, one of the fastest-growing features offered by bulletin board
services today is called the Classified On-Line, a multi-category advertising
service filled with classified ads placed by individuals and businesses.
HOW YOUR ADS GET DISTRIBUTED
[STEP #1] You send your 100-word classified ad to an AD BUREAU that will
electronically typeset your ad and put it in a format that is the standard
used for sending electronic advertising.
[STEP #2] After typesetting your ad, the AD BUREAU sends your it to
BRANDEL COMMUNICATIONS which serves as the CENTRAL CLEARINGHOUSE for
all classified advertising nationwide. There, all the ads from different
independent Ad Bureaus across the country are compiled and reformatted
into their respective categories.
that is currently being used by over 25 million people and is growing by
2 million new subscribers every single month.
This new medium is at the core of what are called Electronic Bulletin
Boards - a system by which people with computers can get entertainment
programs, make travel reservations, play games, get stock market reports,
watch the news, even buy & sell products - using a computer.
Anyone with a computer can access any Bulletin Board by simply plugging
an ordinary telephone line to the computer. Take note of the following:
> With a regular telephone line, people can (using a standard
telephone) send and receive spoken words and sounds.
> With a regular telephone line, people can (using a fax
machine) send and receive copies of printed images,
whether text, photos, or or designs.
> With a regular telephone line, people can (using a computer
with a Bulletin Board system) send photos, graphic designs,
moving pictures and sound - just like television.
TYPES OF BULLETIN BOARDS
There are bulletin boards for nearly every subject matter. There are
bulletin boards for pet owners, bulletin boards for school teachers,
for doctors, lawyers, entrepreneurs and many other fields of interest.
Of course, the most popular type of commercial bulletin boards are those
that accept advertising, where people from all over the country buy & sell
a variety of products and services.
In fact, one of the fastest-growing features offered by bulletin board
services today is called the Classified On-Line, a multi-category advertising
service filled with classified ads placed by individuals and businesses.
HOW YOUR ADS GET DISTRIBUTED
[STEP #1] You send your 100-word classified ad to an AD BUREAU that will
electronically typeset your ad and put it in a format that is the standard
used for sending electronic advertising.
[STEP #2] After typesetting your ad, the AD BUREAU sends your it to
BRANDEL COMMUNICATIONS which serves as the CENTRAL CLEARINGHOUSE for
all classified advertising nationwide. There, all the ads from different
independent Ad Bureaus across the country are compiled and reformatted
into their respective categories.
internet learn
An e-mail ("E" for electronic) is a letter sent electronically. Whereas
regular mail is sent through the postal system, e-mail is sent to a
computer via the telephone line. You can send and receive e-mail from
anywhere in the world. All you need is a computer, a regular telephone line,
and a software program used for sending and receiving e-mail.
Although there's a wide variety of programs used to send and receive e-mail,
these software programs have some features in common. E-mail programs work
by helping you compose your letter and then sending it to your recipient.
An electronic mail is generally made up of two parts: (1) Recipent(s) List,
which identifies the addressee and destination where your e-mail is going;
and (2) the Message, which contains the actual text of your letter.
An e-mail can have one or multiple recipients, and because your messages are
sent at a speed of 2400 to 14400 bits per second, it is possible to send
a one-page letter (the size of a regular bond paper) in less than ONE second.
This makes it possible for marketers to send e-mail to tens of tousands of
potential customers practically overnight.
HOW E-MAIL WORKS
One way of sending e-mail is by using an on-line service like Prodigy,
Compuserve, or America On-Line. However, a more effective way of establishing
an e-mail system is by going on the Internet. Through the Internet, you can
send and receive e-mail from any person who on-line, regardless of the
on-line service they are using.
HOW TO GET STARTED
Contact an Internet Service Provider (ISP) in your area. Your ISP will likely
charge you a flat fee of $30 to $40 a month to give you a dial-up Internet
access. This means, anytime you want to get on the Internet all you have to do
is dial the access phone number which your ISP gives you.
Once you're on the Internet, you can send e-mail anywhere in the world, and
it won't cost you a penny. Remember, all you're doing is accessing your
ISP's computer which is a local call away. However, through your ISP's
system, you are able to send e-mail to anywhere in the USA and to 147
countries around the world.
MULTIPLE E-MAIL
By sending multiple copies of the same e-mail to a number of people, you
are able to do direct selling without any cost. There are a number of mailing
lists available on the internet itself, giving you the e-mail addresses
of groups and individuals to whom you can send your information.
regular mail is sent through the postal system, e-mail is sent to a
computer via the telephone line. You can send and receive e-mail from
anywhere in the world. All you need is a computer, a regular telephone line,
and a software program used for sending and receiving e-mail.
Although there's a wide variety of programs used to send and receive e-mail,
these software programs have some features in common. E-mail programs work
by helping you compose your letter and then sending it to your recipient.
An electronic mail is generally made up of two parts: (1) Recipent(s) List,
which identifies the addressee and destination where your e-mail is going;
and (2) the Message, which contains the actual text of your letter.
An e-mail can have one or multiple recipients, and because your messages are
sent at a speed of 2400 to 14400 bits per second, it is possible to send
a one-page letter (the size of a regular bond paper) in less than ONE second.
This makes it possible for marketers to send e-mail to tens of tousands of
potential customers practically overnight.
HOW E-MAIL WORKS
One way of sending e-mail is by using an on-line service like Prodigy,
Compuserve, or America On-Line. However, a more effective way of establishing
an e-mail system is by going on the Internet. Through the Internet, you can
send and receive e-mail from any person who on-line, regardless of the
on-line service they are using.
HOW TO GET STARTED
Contact an Internet Service Provider (ISP) in your area. Your ISP will likely
charge you a flat fee of $30 to $40 a month to give you a dial-up Internet
access. This means, anytime you want to get on the Internet all you have to do
is dial the access phone number which your ISP gives you.
Once you're on the Internet, you can send e-mail anywhere in the world, and
it won't cost you a penny. Remember, all you're doing is accessing your
ISP's computer which is a local call away. However, through your ISP's
system, you are able to send e-mail to anywhere in the USA and to 147
countries around the world.
MULTIPLE E-MAIL
By sending multiple copies of the same e-mail to a number of people, you
are able to do direct selling without any cost. There are a number of mailing
lists available on the internet itself, giving you the e-mail addresses
of groups and individuals to whom you can send your information.
USING THE INTERNET
The subject of electronic marketing will not be complete without at least
mentioning the network or all computer networks, known as the Internet.
Founded over 20 years ago by the U.S. military, and managed in part by the
National Science Foundation, the Internet has 20 to 30 million users worldwide
People who use the Internet include, entrepreneurs, executives, researchers,
educators, technicians, consumers, activists, students, and military
personnel. Most use the Internet to exchange e-mail, pursue special
interests, search databases, and conduct business.
E-MAIL
One of the most popular uses of the Internet allows you to send and receive
messages to and from people around the world from the comfort of your home
computer. These messages, which are free to send, are almost always delivered
faster and more accurately than regular mail. You can send messages to anyone
who has an Internet address. This includes members of most online services.
It is estimated that over 4,000 e-mails per minute gr through the Internet
What this means to you as an information marketer is that you can conduct
"direct mail" through the Internet to existing and potential customers.
This will eliminate your postage and printing costs. It will also reduce the
amount of time needed to process your mail.
The Internet also has mailing lists to which you can have your e-mail address
added. These mailing lists are made up of groups of Internet users with
similar interests. The users send messages back and forth to each other
regarding relevant topics. For example, if you are selling a publication on
gardening, you might want to join a mailing list of users interested in
outdoor hobbies. Whenever someone sends e-mail to this mailing list, the
e-mail goes to everyone on the mailing list. Sometimes the mailing list is
monitored by an administrator. If this is the case, you may be limited to
the kinds of e-mail you can send. If you can't find a list that has to do
with your publication's topic, you can start your own mailing list and wait
for others to join.
Once you join a mailing list, usually for free, you can receive 1000's of
e-mails from users you have already selected based on their interests.
You can then respond by sending an e-mail to each user's e-mail address.
Your e-mail might be a short message where you mention how your information
products can help them. Rather than responding to each e-mail individually,
you may be able to respond by sending one e-mail to the entire Internet
mailing list.
USENET
The Internet also has what is called, USENET newsgroups. This aspect of the
Internet allows users with specific interests to forms groups and share
information with each other, usually by posting messages that others
can read. Unlike mailing lists, you do not need to send or receive any
e-mail. You simply connect to the Internet, locate a USENET newsgroup, and
read or post messages to that particular group.
Page 1
Marketers can also use USENET newsgroups by finding a newsgroup that focus
on interest of specific advanatge to the information products being sold.
You can do this by scanning the messages that have been posted. By recording
users e-mail addresses, you can compile a mailing list to which you can
e-mail information describing your product.
The Internet also has 100's of free databases that can be accessed to gain
information on practically any subject. These databases are indexed so that
you can search for information using key words or phrases. Most are run by
volunteers, but, just about anyone can start one. Publishers can use these
databases for two purposes. First, they are an excellent source of current
information. This information can be used to help you write your publication.
Second, experienced publishers can create their own database. Once created,
the database can be accessed by millions of Internet users worldwide. Your
own database can contain your publication(s), much like your own BBS.
Finally, the Internet, like many online services, is scattered with 1000's of
interesting computer files that is accessible free of charge to Internet
users. These files are usually located in areas called special interest
groups (SIGs). There are over 5,000 SIGs on the Internet.
Information Marketers can upload free reports, announcements, press releases,
etc., to these SIGs for others to download. This process is known as file
transfer protocol (FTP).
Using this process, Internet users can send and receive computer files
all around the world. These computer files may contain more complex
information than contained in standard e-mails. These computer files can
contain text, graphics, sound, or they may be actual programs. They have all
been created, saved, and stored by a computer connected to the Internet. You
can send and receive advertisements, small reports, or entire publications
using the File Transfer Protocol.
mentioning the network or all computer networks, known as the Internet.
Founded over 20 years ago by the U.S. military, and managed in part by the
National Science Foundation, the Internet has 20 to 30 million users worldwide
People who use the Internet include, entrepreneurs, executives, researchers,
educators, technicians, consumers, activists, students, and military
personnel. Most use the Internet to exchange e-mail, pursue special
interests, search databases, and conduct business.
One of the most popular uses of the Internet allows you to send and receive
messages to and from people around the world from the comfort of your home
computer. These messages, which are free to send, are almost always delivered
faster and more accurately than regular mail. You can send messages to anyone
who has an Internet address. This includes members of most online services.
It is estimated that over 4,000 e-mails per minute gr through the Internet
What this means to you as an information marketer is that you can conduct
"direct mail" through the Internet to existing and potential customers.
This will eliminate your postage and printing costs. It will also reduce the
amount of time needed to process your mail.
The Internet also has mailing lists to which you can have your e-mail address
added. These mailing lists are made up of groups of Internet users with
similar interests. The users send messages back and forth to each other
regarding relevant topics. For example, if you are selling a publication on
gardening, you might want to join a mailing list of users interested in
outdoor hobbies. Whenever someone sends e-mail to this mailing list, the
e-mail goes to everyone on the mailing list. Sometimes the mailing list is
monitored by an administrator. If this is the case, you may be limited to
the kinds of e-mail you can send. If you can't find a list that has to do
with your publication's topic, you can start your own mailing list and wait
for others to join.
Once you join a mailing list, usually for free, you can receive 1000's of
e-mails from users you have already selected based on their interests.
You can then respond by sending an e-mail to each user's e-mail address.
Your e-mail might be a short message where you mention how your information
products can help them. Rather than responding to each e-mail individually,
you may be able to respond by sending one e-mail to the entire Internet
mailing list.
USENET
The Internet also has what is called, USENET newsgroups. This aspect of the
Internet allows users with specific interests to forms groups and share
information with each other, usually by posting messages that others
can read. Unlike mailing lists, you do not need to send or receive any
e-mail. You simply connect to the Internet, locate a USENET newsgroup, and
read or post messages to that particular group.
Page 1
Marketers can also use USENET newsgroups by finding a newsgroup that focus
on interest of specific advanatge to the information products being sold.
You can do this by scanning the messages that have been posted. By recording
users e-mail addresses, you can compile a mailing list to which you can
e-mail information describing your product.
The Internet also has 100's of free databases that can be accessed to gain
information on practically any subject. These databases are indexed so that
you can search for information using key words or phrases. Most are run by
volunteers, but, just about anyone can start one. Publishers can use these
databases for two purposes. First, they are an excellent source of current
information. This information can be used to help you write your publication.
Second, experienced publishers can create their own database. Once created,
the database can be accessed by millions of Internet users worldwide. Your
own database can contain your publication(s), much like your own BBS.
Finally, the Internet, like many online services, is scattered with 1000's of
interesting computer files that is accessible free of charge to Internet
users. These files are usually located in areas called special interest
groups (SIGs). There are over 5,000 SIGs on the Internet.
Information Marketers can upload free reports, announcements, press releases,
etc., to these SIGs for others to download. This process is known as file
transfer protocol (FTP).
Using this process, Internet users can send and receive computer files
all around the world. These computer files may contain more complex
information than contained in standard e-mails. These computer files can
contain text, graphics, sound, or they may be actual programs. They have all
been created, saved, and stored by a computer connected to the Internet. You
can send and receive advertisements, small reports, or entire publications
using the File Transfer Protocol.
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