| |
Anvil
Issue Twenty
--------------------------------
*Four out of five dentists recommend a weekly dosage of Anvil, a
newsletter and Web site providing insight into online industry news,
issues and trends.
--------------------------------
TOP
INDUSTRY NEWS
*The Latest Internet Scam
*Brain Candy: CyberHumans
DESIGN
*AIGA and FDT for PDX
*Web Builder Competition
HOSTING
*Online Crime
*Finding The Best Online Service
MARKETING
*Disney Sees Starwave
*Content-Focused Matchmaking Online
TOP
WEB PICKS
*Computer Searcher
*CyberDiet
*File Mine
*GambleNet
*Internet Domain Study
--------------------------------
TOP INDUSTRY NEWS
--------------------------------
*The Latest Internet Scam
Last week’s issue of Anvil uncovered a new method of Internet fraud
involving a clever use of modem controls to generate huge long distance
charges. In the wake of this recent event, a German-based computer
club recently revealed the ability to use an ActiveX applet to trick
Microsoft’s financial software program Quicken into transferring
money into a desired account without the users’ knowledge. By lowering
the default security level from high to medium, users can accept
"unsigned" or potentially hostile ActiveX applets, which
can wreak havoc on the system. Microsoft’s ActiveX language is used
currently in Internet Explorer and is similar to Java in functionality.
The important point to keep in mind is that nothing is secure or
sacred, online or otherwise, and it’s still easier for someone to
gather financial data on you from your trash. Similar programs can
also be designed in alternative languages and work on other browsers
to achieve much greater damage. More information can be found directly
from the Chaos Computer Club or Microsoft Web sites.
http://berlin.ccc.de/
http://www.microsoft.com/security
*Brain
Candy: CyberHumans
Late one night this week, I had an in-depth discussion with my roommate
regarding the influence of computers on the future. His psychology
background shed new light into this fairly complex issue. Our mindset
was this: beyond competitive advantage and monetary gain, why do
computer technologists strive so hard for faster, smaller, cheaper
and more powerful computers? To help understand this issue, let’s
take a step back to 1968 when the first computers to use integrated
circuits became commercially available. Since that time, mainframe
computers transitioned to personal computers (PCs) in the late 70’s,
laptops in the late 80’s and personal digital assistants (PDAs)
in the early 90’s. What’s the next logical step? How about computerized
wristwatches and headsets. Further down the road, look for microchip
implants in the brain to improve interpersonal communications and
intellect, maybe even a bar code on the neck for ID purposes. What
again is the point of trying to improve ourselves and computers
continuously? I would say we are trying to create the perfect human,
or CyberHuman as it were. What we can’t do with genetic engineering
we can compensate for with artificial intelligence: a living God.
--------------------------------
DESIGN
--------------------------------
*AIGA and FDT for PDX
VIVOMEDIA recently launched two new sites: American Institute of
Graphic Arts (AIGA) Portland and First Discount Travel Portland.
The Portland chapter of American Institute of Graphic Arts (AIGA)
is a great resource for graphic artists in Portland as well as around
the world. The AIGA provides an exchange of ideas and information
including the encouragement of critical analysis and research, advancement
of education and ethical practice. Typical to designers, the site
oozes with creativity, yet provides valuable information in easily
accessible parcels. More than just the average online travel agency,
First Discount Travel provides unique vacation ideas, recent value
packages and a comprehensive directory of travel resource links.
First Discount Travel’s experienced professionals can design an
affordable travel package, delivering quality cruise, air, hotel,
train and auto arrangements for leisure and business travelers.
http://www.portland.aiga.org/
http://www.1discount-travel.com/frame2.html
*Web
Builder Competition
The ultimate Web designer contest is happening February 24 as a
part of the Web97 conference in San Francisco. The competition will
attempt to create rivalry between California’s Silicon Valley and
New York’s Silicon Alley. One team representing each geographic
hotbed will have eight hours in which to create a work of wonder.
The contest can be tracked via the official Web97 Web site, and
the sites are being created pro bono for charity.
http://webreview.com/universal/web97.html
--------------------------------
HOSTING
--------------------------------
*Online Crime
Security is always a top issue in today’s online news, as demonstrated
in this week’s issue. Security breaches can occur at many different
levels to achieve vastly different results. Perhaps the most common
form of breached security is email forgery. Whether flaming, spamming
or spoofing, the use of forged email can be quite damaging. The
best way to protect yourself is by using complex, meaningless passwords,
and changing them frequently. Also remember never to give out passwords,
social security number or credit cards numbers to unknown or unsecure
parties online. Another reason to take a closer look at current
password protection is to protect against industrial espionage,
an all too common and relatively unreported phenomenon in today’s
Internet society. To better understand your habits and unseen dangers
in Internet security, take a minute to fill out CNET’s security
quiz.
http://www.cnet.com/Content/Features/Dlife/Crime/index.html
*Finding
The Best Online Service
CNET recently evaluated the most popular online services today,
and provided detailed analysis of results. Services tested included:
AOL, CompuServe, Prodigy and MSN. Evaluation criteria included:
interface, email, content, community, Web integration and pricing.
The winner: AOL, which offers a "shrewd and efficient interface,
a bounty of content, and a well-established community. And at $19.95
per month for unlimited access, it’s the same price as a basic ISP
account that provides little more than a Net connection." The
decision comes after weighing in the recent access troubles faced
by AOL users. Regarding the comparison between online services and
ISPs, the decision isn’t clear cut, and depends on usage patterns
and preferences.
http://www.cnet.com/Content/Reviews/Compare/Online/
--------------------------------
MARKETING
--------------------------------
*Disney Sees Starwave
Walt Disney recently announced their purchase of a one-third stake
in Starwave for $80 million dollars. Seattle-based Starwave, owned
by Microsoft co-founder Paul Allen, currently operates five highly
trafficked sites including: ESPNet Sportszone, NBA.com, NFL.com,
Nascar Online and Mr. Showbiz. The deal entails Disney’s management
of creative yet loosely-managed Starwave. Disney hopes to leverage
Starwave’s creativity for Disney’s ABC News site, targeted to compete
with MSNBC. The letter of intent for purchase values Starwave at
nearly $300 million, a record amount for a Web design and maintenance
firm.
reported.
http://www.nando.net/newsroom/ntn/info/021597/info30_14415.html
http://www.starwave.com
*Content-Focused
Matchmaking Online
The latest online market research trend may be "deep interviews"
according to Barry Diller, founder of Consumer’s Edge. In this latest
model, consumers will pay for value-add advice from online interviewers
who will provide highly accurate answers to product and service
questions. Whether purchasing a car or back massage, Consumer’s
Edge will provide you the solution that best maps to your needs.
Industry analyst firm Forrester Research calls these new electronic
agents "content-focused matchmakers." While the term may
not stick, the service could. The benefit to end-users is apparent,
an answer to a perplexing question with minimal effort. The revenue
stream for Consumer’s Edge is through finder’s fees common in the
middleman market supposedly made obsolescent from Internet technology.
Through a cash infusion from investors including Vulcan Ventures,
SoftBank, American Express and the Washington Post, Consumer’s Edge
will launch their site next month. The goal is to have different
channels for each interest, whether travel, careers, entertainment
or electronics. Current competition includes: CarPoint, Netbuyer
and Auto-By-Tel.
http://pathfinder.com/@@l7CuywUAXIRxNvaF/time/magazine/1997/ dom/970217/business.the_webs.html
--------------------------------
TOP WEB PICKS
--------------------------------
*Computer Searcher
The Computer Searcher is a completely free service that helps users
sell or search for PCs, Macs or other computer products. The site
is easy to use and highly functional.
http://www.computersearcher.com/
*CyberDiet
Surfing in Cyberspace tends to prevent a healthy lifestyle, complete
with exercise and healthy food. This comprehensive site provides
users with detailed information on proper dieting and exercise.
Users can fill out the Interactive Nutritional Profile and find
out just how bad the situation is. Sections of note include Exercise
Tips, Food Court, Diet Preservers and Recipes. Join now with no
obligation.
http://www.cyberdiet.com/
*File
Mine
In the spirit of CNET’s SHAREWARE.COM comes CMP’s File Mine. File
Mine features a comprehensive database of downloadable shareware/freeware
files for DOS, Windows 3.1/95,
Mac and other software platforms. The site helps users find files
by either searching a database or a directory. Files fall into five
major categories--games, home/education, Internet/intranet, multimedia/design
and programs/utilities.
http://www.filemine.com/
*GambleNet
Interactive Gaming and Communications’ Global Casino has opened
it’s doors for real money transactions to a potential user-base
in excess of 30 million people. Similar to other online gaming ventures
like Casino Royale (http://www.funscape.com/), Global Casino, which
cost approximately $1.8 million dollars to develop, will operate
through IGC’s Grenadian subsidiary, Global Casinos Ltd. The estimated
$10 billion dollar online industry offers huge revenue opportunities
for online gaming sites.
http://www.gamblenet.com/
*Internet
Domain Study
While Internet statistic are a dime a dozen these days, the Internet
Domain Study is a little different in that it searched the Internic
domain name registration database for information. Highlights include
the latest figure on hosts (16 million) and domains (828,000) as
of January 1997. Statistics date back to 1993.
http://www.nw.com/zone/WWW/top.html
|
|
