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Anvil
Issue Fifteen
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*Anvil is a weekly newsletter and Web site providing insight into
online industry news, issues and trends in easy to swallow caplets.
In this week’s issue:
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TOP
INDUSTRY NEWS
*Online Publishers Face the Music
*Fabrik’s Email Netiquette Guide
DESIGN
*McAfee Leverages Web Push
*Grab with DataBolts
HOSTING
*Possible Fees for ISPs
*More Troubles for AOL
MARKETING
*Regional Content Goldrush
*WebTV Alliances
TOP
WEB PICKS
*KnowX
*Net-Profit
*All About Beer
*Superbowl
*Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
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TOP INDUSTRY NEWS
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*Online Publishers Face the Music
A recent Wall Street Journal article addresses the general failure
of online publishing ventures. The article mentions a short list
of revenue-generating disappointments as the Global Network Navagator
(GNN), NetGuide Live, Wired, "The Spot" and TNT’s "Spiv."
All shared strong backing and awareness, yet failed to generate
ad revenues and faced severe cutbacks or extinction. A major problem
faced by online publishers is defining the nature of the business.
In this new realm, many advertisers don’t see the value of online
advertising and sponsorship. Until the mess is sorted out, only
the largest publishers like Time Warner and Dow Jones can endure
the short-term losses. A recent survey by Jupiter Research shows
more than 900 companies are competing for $300 million in advertising
revenue in 1996. The 10 biggest publishers are reaping two-thirds
of the business and any company outside the top 100 is garnering
less than $3,000 in ad revenues a month. While the article brings
up a few good points, I feel it’s a bit rash. The New York Times,
ESPN Sportzone, Wall Street Journal, c/net and San Jose Mercury
News have all successfully generated ad revenue based on their site
content and were scarcely discussed. I also firmly believe that
content is king, and the only way to survive online today is by
providing unique, entertaining or timely information.
http://www.wsj.com
*Fabrik’s
Email Netiquette Guide
Fabrik Communications, an e-mail service provider, is providing
a free print guide for email users. The Email Netiquette Guide covers
important issues and misconceptions common to the email environment,
including privacy, use of ALL CAPS and emoticons :8), subject lines
and more. Visit Fabrik’s Web site for an overview or send an email
to order a copy (netiquette@fabrik.com. Include the following information:
name, title, company, phone number, e-mail address and shipping
address.)
http://www.fabrik.com/html/wn/netguide.htm
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DESIGN
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*McAfee Leverages Web Push
BackWeb continues to generate awareness with continual product improvements
and strategic partnerships. In their latest agreement, users of
McAfee virus protection software will receive new updates automatically
via BackWeb’s broadcast technology. SecureCast, (notice the similarity
to PointCast), will search out users, update software and transmit
virus alerts and technical information to users. BackWeb is aggressively
marketing itself against competitors like Marimba, PointCast and
Intermind. A beta version of the new service will be available on
McAfee’s Web site Monday. Future experiments include providing virus
software and updates for a monthly fee, rather than an outright
purchase.
http://www.mcafee.com
http://www.backweb.com
*Grab
with DataBolts
IBM recently announced an alternative to web browser bookmarks.
Databolts will allow users to fetch Web pages from one site without
leaving another. Databolts will be supported in SmartSuite applications,
and will be announced at the LotusSphere conference in Orlando,
Florida later this month. The DataBolt technologies are part of
IBM’s effort to address the business concerns of commercial Web
sites, such as protecting copyrights and increasing visitor traffic.
The software is based on technologies originally developed for two
IBM Web sites, infoMarket and infoSage. Repackaging the technology
allows users to drag and drop icons from a palette onto their Web
page, eliminating the need to follow hyperlinks to retrieve information.
While the software will reduce time spent online, it does generate
questions regarding advertising and site traffic. If the technology
is implemented, it could endanger popular search engines as well.
Users will no longer visit the site, decreasing both hits and ad
views. IBM states the product will only work with consenting Web
sitesAdditional DataBolt products include cryptolope secure transaction
software, a news ticker and an editor for developers. Products will
be offered in both Java and ActiveX components.
http://www.news.com/News/Item/0,4,6959,4000.html
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HOSTING
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*Possible Fees for ISPs
Network Solutions, the company currently monopolizing Internet domain
name registration, is discussing the possible activation of an Internet
Protocol (IP) fee structure. Under the new plan, Network Solutions
will create a new non-profit organization, the American Registry
for Internet Numbers (ARIN), that would administer the allocation
of the IP numbers and charge a fee to ISPs, corporate entities,
universities and individuals. Specifically, membership will be open
to any entity or individual wishing to participate in IP-related
issues and attend the twice annual membership meetings. Membership
is optional ($1,000 annually) and entities requiring IP addresses
do not have to first become a member of ARIN. ISPs would have to
join ARIN for a tidy fee, ranging from $2,500 to $20,000 depending
on size allocation. If the proposal is ratified, end users will
feel the crunch as ISPs pass on the lofty fees. In related news,
many Webmasters and other individuals are creating a stink regarding
Network Solution’s domain name registration handler InterNic. The
company is accused of monopolistic manipulation through nonexistent
invoices, lost checks and untimely replies to calls and faxes. According
to InterNic, these issues are being addressed through automated
billing and registration and the threat of competition.
http://www.arin.net/
*More Troubles for AOL
The latest knife in the back of online service AOL may break the
company. Earlier this week, two individuals filed suit in New York
and California accusing AOL of breach of contract. The suits follow
frustration with the inability to access the Internet using an AOL
dial-up account. The class action lawsuit alleges misrepresentation
of services and breach of contract. The class action includes everyone
who pays a monthly rate of $19.95 for unlimited access introduced
late last year. The users who filed the suit claim that the "unlimited"
usage promise was meaningless since they can rarely access the Internet.
The plaintiffs claim not being able to connect subjects them to
"unjust hardship" and that America Online acted with "malice"
and "fraud" in violation of the California Consumers Legal
Remedies Act. The class action is seeking punitive and exemplary
damages in amounts appropriate to punish the online service. These
lawsuits are likely just cracks in the dam, and should send a message
to other online services including MSN, Prodigy and Compuserve.
http://www.news.com/News/Item/0,4,7011,4000.html
http://www.news.com/News/Item/0,4,7038,4000.html
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MARKETING
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*Regional Content Goldrush
The latest trend in online content combines local directories and
unique content. Current players include Yahoo!, Excite’s City.Net,
CitySearch, Microsoft’s Sidewalk, and America Online’s Digital Cities.
Each service takes a slightly different approach to content layout
and features, hoping to generate the most traffic and ad revenue.
As content is critical to success, partnerships are essential in
generating the most complete directory information and unique content.
Yahoo! was one of the first with regional and international sites.
Excite followed shortly with City.Net. CitySearch, recently announced
media partners for its new local online service in Austin, Texas,
which is scheduled for a late February launch. Digital Cities launched
several months ago and Microsoft plans to launch its first Sidewalk
in late March. While motive revolves around money, users seem to
desire the value-add service. Industry experts predict all but Microsoft
will fail, but I disagree. The first company to provide the proper
mix of unique local content with comprehensive directory listings
and commerce will see revenue from all directions, including advertising,
directory and content sponsorship and transaction fees. Local advertisers
will get a bigger bang for the buck with highly targeted advertising
based on demographic and psychographic profiles.
http://www.news.com/News/Item/0,4,6966,4000.html
*WebTV
Alliances
In an effort to strengthen market position, WebTV recently announced
alliances with Public Broadcasting Service (PBS) and TV Guide. The
partnership with TV Guide will link editorial content to Web sites
and TV shows. The project involves redesigning TV Guide’s iGuide
Web site to offer four channels focusing on TV, movies, music, and
sports. The service, which will be renamed the TV Guide Entertainment
Network, will offer more than 200,000 pages of content, including
a movie database, quizzes, and soap opera news as well as chat sites
featuring entertainment and sports figures. The service will more
closely reflect WebTV’s contents and style, providing links on both
the TV Guide Web site and WebTV monitors. The idea is to create
a bridge between TV and the Internet, a strategy proven difficult
as demonstrated by initially slow sales of the recently introduced
WebTV. In the new model, TV viewers will use TV Guide via WebTV
to guide them on TV. Analysts say such services are needed to help
consumers understand the benefits of Web content. WebTV’s partnership
with TV Guide should be effective as TV Guide is a widely recognized
consumer brand. The recently announced PBS partnership will provide
PBS programming, both on-air and online for WebTV users. An updated
version of PBS ONLINE will launch in February. Both services should
launch directly from the WebTV front page. In related news, WebTV
recently announced a new high-quality video technology called WebTV
VideoFlash, which will reportedly bridge the gap between the Internet
and TV by providing full-screen, TV-quality video capability from
the Internet through conventional phone lines. The technology is
expected to provide significantly faster download times and will
download automatically to all WebTV subscribers as part of a regular
software upgrade later this year.
http://www.news.com/News/Item/0,4,6918,4000.html
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TOP WEB PICKS
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*KnowX
KnowX provides easy access to public records information including
state corporate and limited partnership records, UCCs, liens, judgments,
bankruptcy records and lawsuits. Users can search for individuals
or companies by state. A summary of results is free, details can
be obtained for a fee. Real property records and other databases
will soon be added. I’d have to say convenience outweighs the privacy
issues; I found out I’m wanted in all 50 states, for free.
http://www.knowx.com/
*Net-Profit
Net-Profit is an organization of Internet experts teamed to explore
online marketing opportunities as well as expose and discredit the
scams and other detrimental efforts. Net-Profit is aimed at an audience
of managers and entrepreneurs who need a route to the leading edge
of Internet business strategy. Site features include a monthly column,
"net strategy" by Jim Carroll, as well as the weekly column
"new thinking" by Gerry McGovern. Both columns are accessible
to all visitors.
http://net-profit.com/
*All
About Beer
The ultimate resource for beer lovers. The site includes a Brew
pub finder, articles and columns, chat rooms, a calendar of events
and recipes for homebrewers.
http://www.allaboutbeer.com/
*Superbowl
Starwave’s official Super Bowl site has trivia, news, polls, online
chat and a virtual tour of the Superdome. Official partners in the
project include Fox and the NFL.
http://www.superbowl.com/
*Dr.
Martin Luther King Jr.
In honor of Martin Luther King’s birthday this Wednesday, The Seattle
Times created a robust feature on the Civil Right’s activist. The
site has a special focus on the Pacific Northwest, but also reaches
across the country, with the record of an electronic dialogue set
up between school children in Birmingham and Seattle. Visit the
scenes of the civil rights past, and hear the voices of some of
those contemplating the future.
http://www.seattletimes.com/mlk/
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