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JimWorld Gazette Issue #94 06/30/2000
JimWorld Gazette - Issue #94 - June 30, 2000CONTENTS
- Does Your e-Commerce Site Sell...
- JimWorld Update Report
- Are You Listed In Looksmart?
- Snippets
FROM OUR SPONSOR
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< http://www.atomz.com/gazette >
DOES YOUR e-COMMERCE SITE SELL...
... Or just take orders?Many believe the myth that God rested on the seventh day because He had worked so hard creating existence during the previous six days.
Not so!
He rested because his biggest creation was yet to come. On the 8th day... He created Chocolate!
Chocolate is the most important of the 4 Basic Food Groups we learned about in school:
Any good Webmaster knows the absolute truth of that list. They are the pillars that prop up the Internet.
So imagine my distress when my doctor pronounced that I had something called Type II Diabetes a little over a year ago. This seemingly minor problem would attack two of the very foundations upon which I had built my life: Chocolate and Coca-Cola.
The Coca-Cola issue was easily resolved by a minor switch to Pepsi One. No sugar and real flavor. I just can't tell my relatives in the South that I drink Pepsi. I'd be disowned!
But, how could I have any quality of life without Chocolate? Was life over?
Nope.
Over the past couple of years an amazing array of sugar free "sweets" has become available. The only problem being that they are a bit hard to find and vary
greatly in quality. Except for Jelly Bellys. Their jelly beans taste the same with and without sugar. Fantastic!
But man does not live by Jelly Bellys alone. So I turned to the Internet in search of my daily fix of Chocolate.
And ran into an absolutely massive swamp of web sites that wouldn't help me buy this basic necessity of life.
I of course started with a couple of search engines looking for "sugar free chocolate" and found thousands of pages to choose from. I happily began visiting one site after another in growing frustration.
I ended up driving to the Mall to buy essential supplies at the candy stores. Got some white Chocolate bark, malt balls, Coconut Haystacks and several Pecan Turtles.
Probably the site that came the closest (yet still missing by too much) was Candy Direct at < http://www.candydirect.com/ >
Open up a browser window and visit the Sugar Free Chocolate page there.
What you'll see is a long list of candy items that you can order for prices ranging from $30 to over $50 per pound. Let's face it. A pound of one type of candy is a bit much.
Unfortunately, there are no pictures of the candy. Just names. Not even any tantalizing descriptions of the yummy tastes and textures. Also missing is an ingredient list for each item. If you are selling sugar free candy, you have to assume that your potential customers need to fit these items into a rigid diet. At a minimum they, need detailed ingredients if they are to buy.
Here's what I am offered to tantalize me into spending $50 for a pound of candy:
S/F ENGLISH TOFFEE, MRS. CARROL'S $36.75 5#
S/F BUTTER ALMOND TOFFEE, MRS. CARROL'S $36.75 5#
S/F MILK CHOCOLATE ALMOND BARK, MRS. CARROL'S $36.75 5#
S/F DARK CHOCOLATE ALMOND BARK, MRS. CARROL'S $36.75 5#
S/F WHITE CHOCOLATE ALMOND BARK, MRS. CARROL'S $36.75 5#
The list goes on for a couple of pages and has a link to a "Secure Order Form" where you can type in the items that you want. No cart in this part of the site, even though other parts have a cart.
And what is that little "5#" at the end of the lines? Does it mean I get 5 pounds for $36.75 or is it 5 pounds at $36.75 per pound? I still have no idea. Probably 5 pounds for $36.75 since that is more in line with the Mall. I guess.
Hard as I tried, I couldn't find a place to order an assortment of Chocolate candies so that I could try out their quality and flavor.
How about some sales pitch about each of the manufacturers? Maybe let me know that this isn't mixed up in someone's bathtub at home? Maybe some testimonials to help replace the loss of seeing and smelling the candy in a store?
If I were to order from this company, I would have to spend hundreds of dollars to find (hopefully) the candies they sell that I like well enough to reorder. Keep in mind that this site was the best of the ones I visited. Not the worst site by a long margin.
If I go to the Mall and shop for candy, I can drool over the products, smell them, anticipate the pleasure to come, buy just one piece of each to determine what I like, ask about the ingredients (or just read the labels that have all of that information anyway) and go home with exactly what I want.
It would be wonderful if I could do the same on the Internet. I can't. When I can, I will spend a lot of money with some happy merchant.
When I have alternatives, I don't have to buy on a Web site. I can choose to buy only when the site proves to me that the people behind it have a desire for my business. That they are willing to put forth some effort to win my loyalty, and my money.
At this site, like so many others, I really don't know if their order processing scripts work well or not. I never got that far, because they forgot one key ingredient.
They forgot to sell me.
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JIM NOTE: As you doubtless recall, I began testing LiveHelper this week. I've installed it in TipWorld at < http://jimworld.com/tipworld/ >
This stuff is addicting. I've been able to "talk" with visitors as they browse through the tips database. They can ask questions that are not in the tips files and I get to "reach out and touch someone" which is sorely missing from most of our e-lives.
An added advantage is being able to actually watch people as they move through the site. Kind of makes the whole process more personal to see that real people are on your site, while they are still there instead of just server log reports of yesterday's traffic.
A couple of times I've used the proactive feature that lets me initiate conversation with a visitor. You can imagine how bored I was to be that drastic! It was fun and got an amazing reaction from a couple of people who've never had a web site actually take notice of them.
This week I'm going to begin playing with the voice chat feature of the system. That could really get addicting.
My final step will be to install the system in the Staff Forums so that moderators can talk to each other or to me, through text or voice, with no long distance charges. Too cool.
Now if I can find a way to get the system to make coffee in the morning, I'd consider life complete.
JIMWORLD UPDATE REPORT
WAP IS COMINGIn response to a steady flow of questions from subscribers, I have outfitted the entire Wilson family with digital phones with built-in web browsers. We're going to start finding ways to put those ridiculous looking, tiny screens to work in meaningful ways. I'll keep you posted as we succeed, and fail in our efforts.
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Keyword Wizard
< http://keywordwizard.com >
The newest list of the Top 500 search phrases and the Top 5,000 search phrases has been updated as of June 28, 2000. There are some interesting new trends apparent in this week's spidering results. Worth your time to check them out.
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JimTools Keyword Research Tools
< http://jimtools.com >
The keyword research tool has been repaired. The tool originally used HotBot as the foundation for it to gather URLs. HotBot underwent major changes in formatting of URLs, which rendered it useless for this tool's purposes.
Thanks to some generous help from Eric Pickup at BuildACommunity <http://buildacommunity.com > the tool has been upgraded. There are now 3 different tools instead of the original one. You can search for keyword suggestions based on results from Fast (AllTheWeb) or Google. More to come this week.
The GoTo Keyword Research tool is undergoing final changes to bring it back on-line in response to yet another format change by GoTo and a restructuring of their keyword suggestion system. Look for it to come back early next week.
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JimWorld Language Translation
< http://jimworld.com/ >
If you've visited the JimWorld home page this week, you'll have noticed many changes throughout the site. The first step of a site reformatting has been completed to make information easier to find.
In the right hand column is a new language translation tool. The tool is free and has several advantages over AltaVista's Bablefish translation service. It is faster, includes more languages and does not take visitors away from your site. Give it a try. If you want to add it to your site, just visit FreeTranslations.com at < http://jimworld.com/re/go.cgi?ID=962219583 > to sign up.
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FreeSiteTemplates
< http://freesitetemplates.com >
We now have 55 free templates available and a steady flow of new designs being contributed. These templates will make your life much easier when starting a new site design project.
Why are so many people contributing site designs? One reason is that it makes them feel good to help others. The other reason is that it generates business for them. That is the best combination of results anyone could hope for.
Why not knock out a design or two and upload them today?
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JimTool Extractor
< http://jimtools.com/extractor/ >
The much anticipated release of the JimTool Extractor Version 1.3 is now available online. Existing users may download the free upgrade patch file to access all of the many new features. The free demo file has also been updated and is available for download.
Version 1.3 significantly expands the power of the Extractor by giving it the ability to process multiple files at one time with the output being combined and duplicates removed.
Also new is the "Scrub" feature, which allows almost any file format to be used as input to the Extractor. When you scrub a file such as an AOL mailbox, all binary coding information is Scrubbed from the file prior to the extraction of URLs or email addresses. You can now even extract from database files on your system in most cases.
For those of you who have not yet tried the JimTool Extractor, it is a powerful program that was designed to overcome some of the worst time-consuming problems I've faced over the past four years of managing a large mailing list.
Anyone operating a mailing list receives a steady flow of emails asking to be added to the list, have addresses changed or be dropped from the list. Even though I use state of the art mailing systems, there are still many who would rather send me an email and ask to have something done.
When these emails come in, Eudora automatically sorts them into relevant folders. But processing these requests has always been a process of opening each email message and taking action by hand.
The Extractor allows me to extract from each email folder all of the email addresses for each request type and execute them all together on the list server. The timesaving is enormous.
Another example of how I use the Extractor. Each week I receive several hundred submissions for my Way Cool Hot Site Award. These come in the form of email messages from sites all over the web. I gather them all into one Eudora folder. When I am ready to start reviewing sites, I run the Extractor to pull out all of the URLs that have been submitted and remove all invalid URLs and duplicates. I save the output of the Extractor as an HTML page with every URL linked to itself using the Text-To-HTML utility included with the Extractor. Then I run that list through the online Link Checker which is on the main JimTools.com site to eliminate time wasted in trying to reach invalid URLs.
Can you believe that I get about 20% invalid URLs being submitted for an award? Who would have thought that there were that many low wattage lightbulbs on the Web?
With the resulting list of valid URLs, I can fly through the review process using multiple windows to review several sites at one time. This saves me hours, not just minutes.
Because the response to the Extractor has been so high, we are already working on the next release, which will have even more features. Like I originally said, you use it and I'll keep expanding it.
The JimTool Extractor - only $24.95 < http://jimtools.com/extractor/ >
Give the JimTool Extractor a free try. The trial period is based on the number of times you use it and you get access to all of its features.
ARE YOU LISTED IN LOOKSMART?
LookSmart < http://www.looksmart.com/ > is more important than most people think. LookSmart powers the search directories of MSN, Excite@Home, CNN and Time Warner - plus 370 ISPs. That's nearly 74 percent of US Web users.Getting listed is so important that I'm actually suggesting that you spend the money to get listed right away. Imagine that!
Here's what LookSmart has to say about submitting non-business sites:
"Only nonbusiness sites may be suggested for inclusion in the LookSmart directory at no charge. Because LookSmart builds the directory in a planned fashion, it is impossible to predict if or when a suggested site might receive editorial attention."
Everything else falls under the following:
Express Listing - $299
- Onetime payment
- Guaranteed site review in 48 hours
- Listing in all appropriate categories
SNIPPETS
Hamster.com Adds New Options< http://hamster.com >
To the many Gazeteers that belong to the Hamster ad network, you'll want to know that they have added some major improvements to their service. You can now place individual text links on your site that earn CPC revenue for you. This is a great enhancement to an already excellent service. I'm getting a lot of mail from happy members and that is always a good sign.
If you want to see Hamster in operation, stop by < http://www.freesitetemplates.com/ >
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e-Programmer Database
Finding a qualified programmer to create, maintain or even install scripts on a server is becoming more critical every day. To that end, I will be adding a directory of e-programmers to JimWorld and I'd like your input now, during the design phase.
I've started a thread in the Forums at < http://searchengineforums.com/Forum18/HTML/000085.html >
If you are an e-programmer or make use of their services, please come contribute your ideas so that the directory can hit the target the first time. You know how I hate to fix things when there's so much new stuff to do.
The directory will be free, of course, for both vendors and buyers.
----------
Tellme
< http://Tellme.com/ >
Want to take a look at some interesting technology to make data available to cell phone users? Tellme is an online directory of consumer oriented information such as local movie listings and show times, traffic reports, restaurants, stock quotes, weather, sports, horoscopes, soap operas and several more.
Tellme has a couple of twists that set it apart from your basic online directory.
The first is that you access the information by calling an 800 number. The second is that the entire process is voice activated. You speak. It listens and gives up the information you seek.
I found the voice recognition to be excellent for both my voice and Nick's. Never a problem.
However, the navigation is a little awkward. It needs a lot more streamlining. But it's only in public Beta and bound to get friendlier.
It's already very usable and did I mention that it's free?
One added bonus. You can place free 2-minute phone calls to anywhere in the U.S. through their portal. That's cool.
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Yahoo Will Replace Inktomi With Google on Searches
http://www.thestandard.com/article/display/0,1151,16383,00.html
If you've been ignoring your placement in the Google search engine, you'd better get with it. Google is gaining ground every day and becoming a dynamic player in the world of searching.
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GeoLaws
http://www.geolaws.com/
An essential bookmark for every web publisher. A nice directory to legal resources on the Web.
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Flash Streaming Video? Of Course!
http://www.businessweek.com/bwdaily/dnflash/june2000/nf00619a.htm?scriptFramed
Wildform is a new technology for streaming audio and video over the Net using the Flash plug-in.
Do we need another streaming technology? Yes, if it's as good as this one.
For a look at it in action, check out the Bob commercials at FreeInternet.com < http://www.freeinternet.com/bob/ >
Looks pretty great to me. Add to that the fact that 90% of people have the Flash player already installed. Wildform could be a real player (pun intended.)
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Internet Wire Debuts Multimedia Capabilities
http://www1.internetwire.com/iwire/iwpr?id=11871&cat=te
Internet Wire, Inc. a leading Internet-based distributor of direct company news and other business communications materials, has announced the debut of Internet Wire Multimedia. This service allows companies to add video, audio, graphics and other digital assets to traditional text news announcements. "By adding rich media components to a text press release, journalists, analysts and even potential customers can experience a press release, rather than simply read it," said Jack Serpa, executive vice president of sales and strategic planning at Internet Wire. "Multimedia transforms plain, text-based news announcements into visually rich, compelling stories that entice viewers to focus on the message longer.""
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Principal Cities And Agglomerations Of The World
http://www.citypopulation.de/cities.html
Finding accurate population statistics around the world can be a pain. Listings by city and town is common, but how about the bigger picture - marketing areas? This site solves that problem nicely.
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Dot-com Layoff Tracker
http://www.thestandard.com/article/display/0,1151,15895,00.html
Who's growing and who's not? This site answers the Not question a little too well. The list is growing too long and I think the worst is yet to come for Dot Com's.
The projections of .com's running out of money are dismal and may actually be understated. Too many business plans that didn't include profits.
Does this foretell the end of the Net? No. Just a normal part of the business cycle and a good sign that the Net is maturing.
Everything that goes down, must come up. Or something along those lines.
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I'm sure that everyone has heard that the courts overturned the COPA law (Child Online Protection Act) but many misunderstand what the ruling means.
I started getting a steady flow of email stating that now we don't have to worry about the under-13 year old information gathering problems that has appeared so frequently in the Gazette.
Sorry. That's the COPPA law (Children's Online Privacy Protection Act). An entirely different law.
Check out the facts at < http://jimworld.com/privacy/ >
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My kind of people
Taking its cue from the infamous "McDonald's Scalding Coffee Case," in which a woman obtained a multi-million dollar verdict after spilling a cup of hot coffee she had placed between her legs while in a car seat, http://www.scaldingcoffee.com provides a one-of-a-kind satirical look at legal news and the legal profession.
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AllTheSites.com
< http://www.allthesites.com/submit.htm >
Drop in at this Fast driven search engine and submit your site.
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Network Solutions is implementing some significant changes to the way they secure domain names from being hi-jacked or modified without proper consent. If you have domains registered through Network Solutions, visit the following two pages before the change goes into effect on July 8th.
"When you first registered your domain name you may have selected a security option. You then currently have one of three Guardian authentication methods: "Mail-From," Password (Crypt-PW), and Secure Encryption (PGP).
"With our upcoming upgrade, customers who have not yet selected a security option will be migrated to "Mail-From" security. Customers who currently use the "Mail-From After Update" Guardian authentication method will now have to respond to an e-mail security check before the requested changes will be implemented. Customers who currently use existing Guardian security options do not have to make any changes at all."
< http://info.networksolutions.com/go/h/security/guardian/ >
< http://info.networksolutions.com/go/h/security/contact1/ >
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Word-of-mouth has now become word-of-wire, at least when surfing the web for the top Web sites about your favorite subjects. PlanetClick.com today announced an agreement with LifeMinders, Inc. (Nasdaq: LFMN) to provide daily Top 10 lists of consumer-rated Internet sites to millions of people who subscribe to LifeMinders’ personalized e-mail service. People from around the globe compile these Top 10 lists as they vote for their favorite sites by topic, and rate them, while online.
< http://www.planetclick.com >
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If you are interested in distributing a "private labeled" version of the Gazette to your clients or subscribers, drop me a line at mailto:jim@jimworld.com and let's talk about it.
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