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Anvil
Issue Twenty Four
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*Four out of five dentists recommend Anvil, a free weekly newsletter
and Web site providing insight into online industry news, issues
and trends.
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TOP
INDUSTRY NEWS
*Pay Per View Online
*Dow Jones’ Rotten Apple
DESIGN
*Sun Shines On Java
*Dive Into The Web
HOSTING
*Hackers Infiltrate Newsgroups
*Free Access Too Good To Be True
MARKETING
*Datamining Software Offers Insight
*Internet Market Overview From NUA
TOP
WEB PICKS
*Aviation Safety
*Bulwer-Lytton Fiction Contest
*National Fraud Information Center
*National Transportation Safety Board
*Sports Celebrity Network
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TOP INDUSTRY NEWS
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*Pay Per View Online
Generating revenue from content has been a challenge for many Web
sites. Two of the most popular sites online today recently announced
a new fee structure allowing visitors access to proprietary content
via CyberCash micropayments. ESPNet SportsZone and Playboy Enterprises
will allow personal transactions via an Internet wallet for amounts
between 25 cents and $!0. ESPNet will allow access to RealAudio
broadcasts of NBA games and extensive player and team statistics.
Similarly, Playboy will offer access to previously unpublished articles
and photos. Both companies are trying to increase revenue and viewership
by offering "day passes" to visitors who may not want
a full subscription. Additional sites using CyberCoin include: American
Banker, Bloomberg, DBC Online, Quote.Com, Washington Weekly, Enews
Direct and Computergram. These companies, and others considering
micropayment technology have to balance proprietary fees with advertising
revenue opportunities to avoid loss of viewership.
http://www.news.com/News/Item/0,4,8858,00.html
http://a.dignews.com/sponsors/yahoo_newsstand/
http://espnet.sportszone.com/
http://www.playboy.com
*Dow
Jones’ Rotten Apple
Apple’s stock hovered steadily around 16 earlier this week in the
wake of last Friday’s major restructuring announcement. Roughly
30 percent of Apple’s work force or 2,700 permanent and 1,400 contract
and part-time employees, received the bad news late Friday. Apple
will take a $155 million charge in Q2 for restructuring and cut
spending on products including OpenDoc and Cyberdog. The picture
continues to look grim for Apple as analysts, investors and the
general public speculate on future profitability and growth.
http://www.news.com/News/Item/0,4,8852,00.html
http://www.usatoday.com/life/cyber/tech/cta008.htm
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DESIGN
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*Sun Shines On Java
In an attempt to stave off attacks from Microsoft and developers,
Sun Microsystems applied to submit Java to a joint technical committee
of the International Standards Organization (ISO) and International
Electrotechnical Commission (IEC). Sun will reportedly release Java
specifications including class libraries, APIs and the Java Virtual
Machine. Careful not to throw away their branding rights, Sun will
retain control of the code and trademark for all related technologies.
While the newly opened language cannot be called Java, Sun will
work with key players to develop new APIs. The move is targeted
directly at ActiveX, Microsoft’s proprietary competitor to Java.
By opening the language to the public, Sun will not only look good
in the eyes of supporters, but help to promote widespread use and
increase market growth. Microsoft applauds Sun’s efforts, but questions
why a reference implementation isn’t being offered for companies
to follow.
http://www.news.com/News/Item/0,4,8849,00.html
*Dive
Into The Web
Yet another competitor has entered the rapidly saturating city directory
market this week. U.S. West Interactive Services recently launched
DiveIn city directory in ten cities including: Seattle, Portland,
Los Angeles, Phoenix, Denver, Minneapolis-St. Paul, Chicago, Detroit,
Atlanta, and Jacksonville, Florida. The new service is geared toward
residents, not tourists. The launch cities were chosen for their
higher-than-average online population. Site features are divided
by interests and include event calendars, Web site reviews and community
billboards. Content is provided by local partners including: MovieLink,
Preview Travel, golf.com, US West Yellow Pages on the Internet and
rent.net. Although no national or local advertisers are currently
signed up, U.S. West hopes to leverage existing properties, including
cable television, to generate advertising revenue. DiveIn will have
to compete with Yahoo, Digital City, Sidewalk and CitySearch.
http://www.news.com/News/Item/0,4,8842,00.html
http://www.divein.com
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HOSTING
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*Hackers Infiltrate Newsgroups
At least a dozen ISPs reported hackers accessing password files
via newsgroups this weekend. The hackers are exploiting a hole found
in ISP newsgroup servers recently publicized by Computer Emergency
Response Team (CERT). An attack by one or more hackers sending out
phony requests for administrative information including passwords
can be avoided by proper installation of software and a free patch
found online. Once passwords are obtained, the ISPs entire network
could be compromised. There is no way to know exactly how many ISPs
have been violated, but the best bet is to question system administrators
regarding newsgroup security. Changing password immediately and
frequently is an additional safety precaution.
http://www.news.com/News/Item/0,4,8861,00.html
*Free
Access Too Good To Be True
AOL’s problems are contagious. Recently, j3 Communications experienced
problems with registration for new users. The company is attempting
to lure away disgruntled AOL users by offering free Internet access
to customers that sign up with their long distance carrier. j3 is
offering their service in 350 cities for up to 600,000 customers.
While the idea is novel, the implementation has backfired somewhat.
So far, only 5,000 customers have signed up for the service so far.
The problems should be fixed shortly according to j3. The new business
model of free access was pioneered by @bigger.net and Cyber FreeWay
and has experienced less than rampant growth.
http://www.news.com/News/Item/0,4,8882,00.html
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MARKETING
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*Datamining Software Offers Insight
Online merchants now have a greater ability to target promotions
via a new tracking software from Snickelways Interactive. MerchantView
1.0, now in beta, tracks individuals based on demographic data,
buying patterns and additional criteria. The software allows customer-specific
pricing based on four elements: company goals, customer preferences,
customer profile and day-to-day marketing trends. While the initial
version will compliment ComForce server software, a plug-in is expected
shortly for IBM and Microsoft merchant server software. The software,
aimed at empowering marketers, is expected to be released by July.
http://www.news.com/News/Item/0,4,8876,00.html
http://www.news.com/News/Item/0,4,8872,00.html
*Internet
Market Overview From NUA
More Internet statistics for the weary. NUA recently announced their
summary findings regarding the latest and greatest Internet usage
statistics and trends. Highlights include estimates on the total
number of Internet users, which range from 30 to 57 million. Percentage
of businesses with Web sites range from 25 to 60 percent. According
to NFO Interactive, 55 percent of participating households made
an online purchase in 1996, with popular items including software,
books and CDs. Cowles/Simba estimated online transactions totaling
$993.4 million in 1996. Jupiter Communications indicates the travel
industry is the hottest growing market segment online. The latest
research regarding browser market share indicates that Netscape
currently owns between 56 and 70 percent of the market, with Microsoft
controlling the remaining share. The complete report can be accessed
online.
http://www.nua.ie/surveys/reports/janfeb97.html
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TOP WEB PICKS
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*Aviation Safety
Whether paranoid or cautious, Aviation Safety offers valuable information.
The site provides access to several of the principal aviation safety
data and information sources the Federal Government uses for various
purposes. Search the databases, browse common aviation terms in
the glossary or review recent FAA regulations.
http://nasdac.faa.gov/internet/
*Bulwer-Lytton
Fiction Contest
Since 1982 the English Department at San Jose State University has
sponsored the Bulwer-Lytton Fiction Contest, a whimsical literary
competition that challenges entrants to compose the opening sentence
to the worst of all possible novels. The contest, the brainchild
of Professor Scott Rice, originated when he uncovered the origins
of the line "It was a dark and stormy night." Take a moment
to review past winners and submit your own original works for consideration.
http://www.bulwer-lytton.com/
*National
Fraud Information Center
The National Fraud Information Center is a project of the National
Consumers League, America’s oldest nonprofit consumer organization.
NFIC helps consumers report fraud and offers helpful advice on how
to avoid becoming a victim. Browse past issues of the Internet Fraud
Daily Report, learn how to protect yourself from fraud and report
incidents of fraud.
http://www.fraud.org/
*National
Transportation Safety Board
The National Transportation Safety Board is an independent Federal
agency charged by Congress with investigating every civil aviation
accident in the United States and significant accidents in the other
modes of transportation and issuing safety recommendations aimed
at preventing future accidents. The site provides information on
recent accidents and publications in the aviation, highway, marine,
pipeline, hazardous materials and railroad industries.
http://www.ntsb.gov/
*Sports
Celebrity Network
Catch the daily spin on the biggest names in sports at Sports Celebrity
Network (SCN). SCN is the only destination for comprehensive, daily
coverage on and off the field of the top athletes that drive professional
sports. Features include daily news briefs, biographies, interviews,
quotes, statistics and top picks.
http://www.sportspin.com/
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