PR Newswire Summary of EntertaiNet Copy Moved Monday

(NEW YORK) New American Library to Publish 'The Sopranos: A Family
History'
NYMFNS3 10/02/2000 05:20 r l bc-CT-HunkMania-expands
(DANBURY) HunkMania Male Revue Expands it's Operation to Connecticut!
LAM037 10/02/2000 06:01 r f bc-CO-AmeriVest-new-pres
(DENVER) AmeriVest Names New President
NYM012 10/02/2000 06:01 r f bc-NJ-StorageApps-LSI
(BRIDGEWATER) StorageApps Selects LSI Logic for High-Performance,
Fibre-Attached SANLink Storage Systems
HSM055 10/02/2000 06:02 r n bc-MN-Mall-Amer-Sotheby
(BLOOMINGTON) Snoopy Statues Fetch Big Bones at Sotheby's Auction
HSM069 10/02/2000 06:05 r f bc-NY-Warner-Music-Group
(NEW YORK) Warner Music Group Unveils First Releases in DVD-Audio Format
LAM059 10/02/2000 06:30 r e bc-CA-Offspring-MP3.com
(SAN DIEGO) The Offspring Releases Free Single on MP3.com Before Album
Hits Retail Stores
NYM057 10/02/2000 07:01 r f bc-NY-SmartBargains.com
(NEW YORK) 'Survivor' Host To Give Away Tropical Island Getaway At Launch
Of Smartbargains.com, Just Before Heading To Australian Outback
NYM048 10/02/2000 07:02 r f bc-MA-Praecis-Pharm
(CAMBRIDGE) PRAECIS PHARMACEUTICALS INCORPORATED Invites You to View Its
UBS Warburg Global Life Sciences Conference Investor Presentation
SFM025 10/02/2000 07:15 r f bc-CA-NBCi-AccuWeather
(SAN FRANCISCO) NBCi and AccuWeather Unveil Anchor Tenancy and Content
Deal
SFM020 10/02/2000 07:30 r f bc-CA-American-Champion
(HAYWARD) ACEI's Subsidiary BA Network Lands US$6 Million
Contract For Voice and Data Lines
CHM001 10/02/2000 07:31 r e bc-TN-HGTV-fall-hints
(KNOXVILLE) Henry Harrison, Host of New HGTV Series 'Help Around
The House,' Offers Tips For Fall and Beyond
HSM046 10/02/2000 07:58 r f bc-MA-Market-Vision-Band
(BOSTON) Bands.com Joins Forces w/Digital Adventure, HMV Canada to Launch
'City Rocks-Canada Volume 1,' a CD Celebrating the Best in Canadian Rock
NYM008 10/02/2000 08:00 r e bc-NY-History-Channel
(NEW YORK) Modern Marvels: Men at Work Week 2000
SFM003 10/02/2000 08:06 r f bc-CA-3DO-Co-Ships-Two
(REDWOOD CITY) 3DO Ships Two Value Packs for PC
SFM004 10/02/2000 08:07 r f bc-CA-3DO-Co-Sammy-Sosa
(REDWOOD CITY) Sammy Sosa High Heat Baseball(TM) 2001
Championship Edition Slides Safely Into Stores
NYM050 10/02/2000 08:08 r e bc-NY-History-Britain
(NEW YORK) The History Channel(R) Presents a Six-Hour Mini-Series of Epic
Proportions And Psychological Intensity That Offers a Transforming View...
NYM055 10/02/2000 08:08 r f bc-NY-Imbot.com-Zephyr
(NEW YORK) Imbot.com, the Web Enabled Messaging Service, Receives Funding
SFM060 10/02/2000 08:08 r l bc-CA-eHow-Halloween
(SAN FRANCISCO) Halloween's How-to Headquarters Launched Online at
eHow.com
LAM058 10/02/2000 08:09 r f bc-CA-Dotcomix-Duke-2000
(SAN FRANCISCO) Dotcomix Brings Aboard New Talent
DCM018 10/02/2000 08:23 r v bc-DC-WWF-Vote-Smackdown
(NEWS ADVISORY) The Rock Heads to Capitol Hill
SFM028 10/02/2000 08:30 r f bc-FL-CA-MyPoints-Mars
(FORT LAUDERDALE) Mars Music and MyPoints.com Announce Marketing Agreement
CGM028 10/02/2000 09:00 r f bc-CA-Levy-BlueMeteor
(SAN FRANCISCO) Levy Restaurants Selects BlueMeteor to Host Oracle
Applications On World-Class Technology Infrastructure
LAM012 10/02/2000 09:00 r f bc-KS-Infinity-Inc.-Oil
(CHANUTE) Infinity, Inc. Signs Letter of Intent With Major
Independent Oil and Gas Company on LaBarge Project
LAM020 10/02/2000 09:01 r f bc-CO-ScheduleWise
(DENVER) Bonfils Blood Center to Offer Scheduling Online;
High-Tech Solution Will Increase Blood Donations
SFM066 10/02/2000 09:01 r f bc-CA-Phone-Telcel
(REDWOOD CITY) Telcel Launches Commercial Wireless Internet
Service Using Phone.com Platform
HSM004 10/02/2000 09:06 r e bc-FL-iTV-Freddie-award
(BOCA RATON) iTV Celebrates Winning 2000 Freddie Award
FLM006 10/02/2000 09:07 r f bc-FL-SportsLine.com
(FORT LAUDERDALE) SportsLine.com Records More Than 1 Billion
Page Views in September
DEM009 10/02/2000 09:14 r v bc-MI-Masonic-Blast!
(NEWS ADVISORY) Blast! An Explosive Musical Celebration Opens At the
Masonic Temple Theatre October 3 at 8 p.m.
NYM059 10/02/2000 10:00 r e bc-NY-Arista-Stankonia
(NEW YORK) Arista Artist Outkast Issues a Statement Regarding
Distribution of Their Unreleased Album Stankonia Over the Internet
NYM111 10/02/2000 10:24 r f bc-TX-Panja-Music-Choice
(DALLAS) Panja and Music Choice Form Alliance to Deliver Digital
Music Content to Home Internet Appliances
DAM038 10/02/2000 11:38 r f bc-GA-Southwick-Invst
(ATLANTA) Southwick Investments Initiates Coverage of Rick's
Cabaret With Long-Term Buy Recommendation
MNM018 10/02/2000 11:42 r v bc-MN-Park-Nicollet
(NEWS ADVISORY) Free Movie Screening at Park Nicollet Re: Breast
Cancer/Mountain Climbing
NYM128 10/02/2000 11:55 r e bc-NY-World-Sports-oper
(NEW YORK) World Sports Enterprises to Cease Production Operations
NYM027 10/02/2000 12:00 r v bc-CO-Red-Bull-Winter
(SALT LAKE CITY) Renowned Skateboarder Tony Hawk Shines at
'Red Bull Rock-N-Air'
LAM003 10/02/2000 12:01 r e bc-CA-Cypress-Hill-Smoke
(MARIETTA) Insider Magazine Presents the 3rd Annual Cypress Hill Smoke Out
LAM106 10/02/2000 12:06 r e bc-CA-Wild-Brain-EM.TV
(SAN FRANCISCO) Award-Winning Wild Brain Partners With EM.TV
For Hot New Animated Series 'Mr. Baby'
NYM135 10/02/2000 12:29 r f bc-New-Cinema-Partners
(TORONTO) New Cinema Partners to Amend 10-SB in Accordance with
Comments Received from the Securities and Exchange Commission
NYM146 10/02/2000 12:37 r f bc-NY-Newsweek-Carlton
(NEW YORK) Newsweek Productions and Carlton Television Announce Co-Venture
OT050 10/02/2000 12:39 r f bc-Marketing-Agreement
(CHARLOTTE) eatsleepmusic.com and Sound Choice Accompaniment Tracks
Enter Strategic Content Distribution and Marketing Agreement
CGM064 10/02/2000 12:43 r f bc-NC-ProMusicFind.com
(RALEIGH) Raleigh-based ProMusicFind.com Acquires Second Largest
Record Dealer Search Service on the Web
NYM158 10/02/2000 12:50 r a bc-MA-Miss-Universe-HIV
(BOSTON) Miss Universe(R) to Speak at Forum on Women and
HIV/AIDS at The Harvard AIDS Institute
NYM162 10/02/2000 13:08 r f bc-NY-Bloomberg-TV-new
(NEW YORK) Bloomberg Television Launches Two New Shows,
Continuing Push Into Branded Programming
LAM113 10/02/2000 13:14 r e bc-CA-Kalisto-Fox-Kids
(LOS ANGELES) Kalisto Entertainment and Fox Kids Europe
Establish Exclusive Partnership
LAM116 10/02/2000 13:17 r e bc-CA-Luis-Miguel-New-CD
(LOS ANGELES) VIVO - Luis Miguel's Live CD Available in Stores
Tomorrow October 3 On Warner Music International
CGM074 10/02/2000 13:39 r e bc-IL-Playboy-Nov-intrvu
(CHICAGO) Ben Stiller is Playboy's November Interview
DCM067 10/02/2000 13:43 r e bc-XM-Satellite-Radio
(WASHINGTON) XM Satellite Radio Taps New Programming Talent;
Second Wave Brings 11 Additions
NYM125 10/02/2000 13:53 r e bc-NY-VH1-Kiss-PPV-conc
(NEW YORK) VH1 Classic Taken Over by KISS Legends Gene Simmons and Paul
Stanley for Exclusive Pay-Per-View Concert 'Pre-Game' Show, October 7
LAM127 10/02/2000 14:12 r f bc-CA-TMCS-Iceland
(PASADENA) Ticketmaster Online-Citysearch Expands International
Presence to Iceland; TMCS Signs Agreement with World Wide Web Inc.
FLM011 10/02/2000 14:17 r v bc-TX-Walt-Disney-World
(NEWS ADVISORY) Walt Disney World's Millennium Celebration Coming to 

TEACHERS AND STUDENTS SEEK BACK-TO-SCHOOL COMPROMISES

Hurricane Isabel taught local students and teachers a physics lesson: It's hard to read in the dark.
Schools took note as they began reopening this past week. Accordingly, many have relaxed or even banned homework temporarily, including Mack Benn Jr. Elementary in Suffolk.
``That was an issue that did come up simply because some of our teachers don't have lights, and their children go here,'' Principal Ronald M. Leigh Jr. said. ``Not only that - it's pretty stressful right now.''
Thus schools walk several fine lines: acknowledging reality while trying to return to routines and keep up with academic demands.
Those demands mean some students are hustling to catch up on missed work.
Brittney A. Brink of Chesapeake's Great Bridge High had to cram for Friday tests in history and English. Jazmyn Artis of Portsmouth's I.C. Norcom High moaned, ``I have a week to learn what I'd have learned in two weeks.''
Margaret Bonay faced a math quiz on her return Thursday to Landstown High in Virginia Beach, and expected some 60 pages of reading - four times that of a typical night - in Advanced Placement History.
Still, she said, ``I know a lot of teachers are pretty lenient.''
``I pretty much backed off any major homework assignments,'' said Linda Lavender, a computer teacher at the Beach's Advanced Technology Center - home Internet access remains a problem for many students.
Private Norfolk Academy recommended no tests or quizzes, and to go easy on the take-home stuff. It also offered students use of its computers today. Exemptions were given from an art assignment to sketch something ``under bright light,'' said Sarah K. Johnson, a junior.
Norfolk principals reminded staff that it's not just students without power. Jeanne Kruger of Rosemont Middle e-mailed that ``both completing homework or grading it can be difficult by flashlight.''
Louis C. Page, principal of 1,200-student Norview Middle in Norfolk, charged teachers to move forward with patience, remembering that some students remain powerless or even homeless.
``In a school this size,'' he said, ``you have some children who were untouched and others who had severe situations.'' 

PC Data: 250,000 Units of Microsoft's Windows Me Sold During First Four Days of Release

Microsoft's new consumer PC operating system, Windows Millennium Edition (Me), sold 250,000 units in the U.S. during its first four days in the market, putting the product on a path to sell more than 400,000 units in its first month, according to early sales figures released today by PC Data. During its first day, Thursday, Sept. 14, the product sold 75,000 units.
At the current sales rate, the new operating system will easily surpass one million units sold at retail before the end of the year. Microsoft's two previous upgrades, Windows 95 and Windows 98, sold 600,000 in their first month on the market. Each title went on to sell two million units in their first six months.
"Windows Me has a way to go before it becomes the top selling product of the year," said Roger C. Lanctot, senior director of research for PC Data. "But the title is likely to have a huge impact on how home PCs are used now and in the future."
"Its integration of video, audio, photo editing and recording capabilities will bring this functionality to a wider audience, and create new opportunities for both publishers and peripheral manufacturers. The product's arrival has already given a boost to lagging retail software sales and promises to provide a push for fourth quarter sales in all software categories. Windows Me is the most important new piece of software in 2000," he added.
About PC Data
PC Data is the leading provider of high tech sales intelligence in the United States. Its PC Data Online division has become a primary source of Web measurement through its panel of over 120,000 U.S. home Internet users. It also conducts rapidly deployed surveys over the Internet. In addition to the U.S., PC Data collects online data in the Pacific Rim, Australia, Italy and Canada.

PC Data Online: August Top 100 Shows Renewed Growth Below Top Portals

Yahoo.com, aol.com and msn.com continued to dominate the August Top 100, according to a PC Data Online report released today. At the same time, several diverse categories -- women, online financial resources, e-tail, and lottery and sweepstake -- exhibited new signs of strength and growth.
PC Data Online, a leading Internet research firm that specializes in web commerce measurement, compiles a monthly list of the top web sites, based on unique users that visit the site. The list is based on a proprietary software tool that tracks visitors and buyers on each web site.
"When you compare August 2000 web activity with a year ago, it is obvious that a more savvy, sophisticated user has replaced the typical online neophyte," said Jeff Moulton, Internet analyst for PC Data Online. "Users are clearly showing a growing online confidence and comfort with the Internet, and, as a result, the next wave of web activity is emerging."
The increasing presence of women on the net accounted for advances for ivillage.com and women.com. Ivillage moved in the No. 43 slot from the No. 74 position in July, while women.com advanced six places to the No. 62 position from No. 68 in July.
Sites that make online usage and financial transactions easier also showed gains. E-wallet site gator.com continued its steady climb up the chart in August to the No. 48 position from No. 65 last month. X.com (formerly paypal.com), which arranges financial payments and transfers online, advanced from No. 76 in July to No. 60 in August. Nextcard.com, a Visa-related site that helps online management of money, scored the highest ranking of the group at the No. 44 site, up from No. 51 in July.
Retail sites saw increased shopping traffic in August. Amazon.com maintained its dominant position in the No. 12 site. Cdnow.com had an impressive 25 percent increase in traffic, moving up to No. 58 from No. 87 in July. Half.com, an e-bay.com affiliate that offers large discounts on e-tail items, premiered on the Top 100 in the No. 65 spot from the No. 116 spot with a 41 percent increase in traffic. Barnesandnoble.com moved up five positions to No. 79 from No. 84 with a seven percent increase in traffic. Ourhouse.com, a home improvement site, made the biggest gain among e-tailers moving up to No. 92 from No. 156 with a 50 percent increase in traffic.
The lottery and sweepstakes category continues to evolve as the web's prominent recreational activity, claiming nine of the Top 100 positions. They are: freelotto.com at No. 25 with 12.1 million unique users, webstakes.com at No. 36 with 9.6 million unique users, luckysurf.com at No. 37 with 9.5 million unique users, iwin.com at No. 41 with 9.million unique users, imustlotto.com at No. 74 with 6.5 million, grouplotto.com at No. 85 with 6.1 million, easywinning.com at No. 86 with 6.1 million, jackpot.com at No. 95 with 5.8 million unique users and windough.com at No. 96 with 5.7 million unique users.
New to the Top 100 in August were entertainment site eonline.com (from No. 105 to No. 88), CBS' sports site sportsline.com (from No. 123 to No. 98) and games site dealtime.com (from No. 110 to No. 100).
About PC Data
PC Data was established in 1991 and is a leading source of computer hardware, software and gaming intelligence and data. Its PC Data Online division is a leading provider of web traffic measurement and analysis. Through its 120,000 home Internet panel, PC Data Online also fields custom, state-of-the-art Internet based surveys from topics ranging from online music trends to online behavioral differences between men and women to web buying preferences and trends.
August Top 100
Aug Rank July Rank Web Site Aug Unique Users (000) %Change
1 1 yahoo.com 54,393 4
2 2 aol.com 48,340 5
3 3 msn.com 42,355 3
4 4 microsoft.com 33,134 4
5 5 passport.com 32,036 2
6 6 geocities.com 30,815 0
7 7 AOLProprietary.aol 30,153 3
8 8 lycos.com 22,486 9
9 10 ebay.com 19,970 5
10 12 angelfire.com 19,109 5
11 13 excite.com 19,028 9
12 11 amazon.com 18,998 5
13 9 altavista.com 18,824 -8
14 14 netscape.com 17,779 3
15 15 tripod.com 16,736 5
16 16 ask.com 16,199 6
17 17 iwon.com 16,067 11
18 19 about.com 15,824 17
19 21 speedyclick.com 14,197 16
20 26 go.com 14,112 23
21 20 real.com 13,457 4
22 28 cnet.com 12,885 17
23 18 americangreetings.com 12,805 -6
24 23 looksmart.com 12,527 9
25 22 freelotto.com 12,154 -1
26 24 goto.com 11,823 3
27 25 bluemountain.com 11,629 1
28 46 passthison.com 11,214 39
29 30 infospace.com 11,099 3
30 34 homestead.com 10,651 11
31 55 jobsonline.com 10,547 44
32 29 zdnet.com 10,377 -4
33 27 xoom.com 10,243 -7
34 41 mypoints.com 10,166 20
35 32 msnbc.com 9,990 -6
36 33 webstakes.com 9,637 1
37 37 luckysurf.com 9,547 6
38 44 prizecentral.com 9,386 14
39 38 mapquest.com 9,087 2
40 39 uproar.com 9,054 2
41 47 iwin.com 9,022 12
42 31 priceline.com 8,589 -20
43 72 ivillage.com 8,477 35
44 51 nextcard.com 8,449 11
45 43 alladvantage.com 8,375 -1
46 36 snap.com 8,240 -13
47 50 digitalcity.com 8,212 5
48 65 gator.com 7,999 23
49 52 coolsavings.com 7,972 7
50 42 mailbits.com 7,894 -7
51 35 napster.com 7,867 -17
52 59 cnn.com 7,822 13
53 60 espn.com 7,671 12
54 61 windowsmedia.com 7,669 13
55 63 google.com 7,500 14
56 57 weather.com 7,494 6
57 45 shockwave.com 7,384 -10
58 87 cdnow.com 7,297 25
59 108 unicast.com 7,115 44
60 76 x.com 7,073 15
61 53 icq.com 6,950 -6
62 68 women.com 6,922 8
63 54 flowgo.com 6,831 -7
64 103 bizrate.com 6,821 34
65 116 half.com 6,770 41
66 88 earthlink.com 6,769 17
67 70 sexshare.com 6,767 7
68 40 gamesville.com 6,725 -22
69 89 preferences.com 6,712 16
70 79 bonzi.com 6,590 10
71 78 fortunecity.com 6,577 9
72 56 porncity.net 6,526 -8
73 85 classmates.com 6,525 11
74 148 imustlotto.com 6,504 60
75 49 onhealth.com 6,498 -18
76 67 webmd.com 6,376 -1
77 58 travelocity.com 6,329 -10
78 64 lifeminders.com 6,325 -4
79 84 barnesandnoble.com 6,322 7
80 62 disney.com 6,249 -7
81 * digital-impact.com 6,231 *
82 71 karasxxx.com 6,214 -1
83 66 mtv.com 6,193 -5
84 73 expedia.com 6,174 -1
85 126 grouplotto.com 6,163 37
86 92 easywinning.com 6,114 10
87 149 hotsocket.com 6,069 49
88 105 eonline.com 6,066 19
89 81 v3.com 6,058 2
90 69 cjb.net 6,013 -5
91 80 majorhost.com 5,938 -1
92 156 ourhouse.com 5,867 50
93 96 pogo.com 5,863 8
94 107 planetofmusic.com 5,827 17
95 109 jackpot.com 5,785 17
96 97 windough.com 5,674 6
97 * akamai.net 5,583 *
98 123 sportsline.com 5,571 22
99 86 cybererotica.com 5,555 -5
100 110 dealtime.com 5,509 11
* PC Data does not consider these sites true sites in the traditional definition of a web site. Web sites, according to PC Data, are defined as a primary domain. 

News in brief

Morgan Crucible's ex-chief charged THE former chief executive of Morgan Crucible, Ian Norris, and three others have been charged in the US with attempting to obstruct a price-fixing probe into the carbon products industry.
Two of the four - not including Norris - agreed to plead guilty on some counts.
Possible penalties include fines and up to 10 years in prison. The charges were filed in Philadelphia. In 2002, Morgan Crucible (down 1p at 127p) paid [pounds sterling]7m fines to settle antitrust charges.
Capital on prowl CAPITAL Radio says it 'will be looking at acquisitions next year'. Its shares fell 221/2p to 4971/2p as six-month likefor-like radio revenues fell 3pc. ClassicFM's owner GWR said its underlying UK revenues are up 4pc.
Merger blueprint AIR France and KLM are poised to agree an 80:20 merger, but the role of potential partner Alitalia remains unclear.
Caudwell 'shopping' MOBILES tycoon John Caudwell, who this week sold his Phones4u retail chain to Vodafone for [pounds sterling]400m, is seeking an acquisition of up to [pounds sterling]1bn 'outside mobile and inside the UK'.
Crunch for Names LLOYD'S Names were told that the EU Commission plans to close its probe into whether UK law gave adequate supervision to the Lloyd's market. The European Parliament said the Commission must decide by November 15.
Gloom for insurers THE financial strength of UK insurers fell further in the past year, says credit agency Standard & Poor's. It downgraded over a dozen leading companies including the Prudential, Standard Life and Friends Provident. S&P expects the downward trend to slow in the next three years.
Amstrad's [pounds sterling]3.8m SIR Alan Sugar's Amstrad lost another [pounds sterling]6m on its em@iler home internet gadget last year, though sales doubled. Group profits were [pounds sterling]3.8m pretax, against [pounds sterling]1.8m losses. Dividends rose 0.7p to 3p. Amstrad fell 21/2p to 117p.
Dana gusher DANA Petroleum's UK, Russian and African fields trebled its first-half oil output. Net profits soared from [pounds sterling]1.3m to [pounds sterling]11m, cash flow from [pounds sterling]3.5m to [pounds sterling]18m. Dana fell 31/2p to 2361/2p. 

Yahoo! attracts 66m users in July

Yahoo! Inc attracted the biggest global audience in July, according to a report by the research firm Nielsen/Net Ratings.
The research found that Yahoo! attracted a global audience of 66m people, followed by America Online (AOL) with 62m and Microsoft's MSN with 50m visitors on an at-home basis only, said Nielsen/Net Ratings.
The company measured usage in the US, the UK, Ireland, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Singapore and Japan in July. MSN was ranked first in terms of unique audience in the UK, Canada, Australia and New Zealand and Yahoo! was first in Japan, Singapore and Ireland. AOL was ranked first in the US.
MSN logged the most minutes online per user in Australia, Ireland, Canada and Singapore, while Yahoo! logged the most time in New Zealand, the UK, Canada and the US in July.
The report also found that about 42% of home Internet users (around 52m people) visited shopping sites in July. 

WINDOWS SHOPPING; Cyber Monday sees Brits spend pounds 22.4million an hour on the web.

BRITAIN went into a pounds 22.4million-an-hour Christmas shopping frenzy yesterday - without setting foot in the shops.
Yesterday was Cyber Monday - the world's biggest online shopping day - according to price comparison site Kelkoo.
An estimated pounds 537million was spent at the click of a mouse.
According to a survey by Tesco Direct, 78 per cent of consumers will indulge in "non-store shopping". Here we look at just how popular internet shopping has become since the first online store began trading around 15 years ago.
Following the introduction of online banking in 1994, internet shopping began when Pizza Hut launched the first online pizza shop. The following year, Amazon launched and auction site eBay burst on to the market in 1996.
When online shopping began, the main users were young men, usually with a high income, according to the authors of The Impact of Internet User Shopping Patterns and Demographics on Consumer Mobile Buying Behaviour.
This profile is changing. In the US, the early years of the internet showed very few female users but by 2001 women made up 52.8 per cent of the online population.
In the early 2000s, Tesco became of the first major retailers to make their goods available online and delivered to the consumers' homes via their "pioneering" Tesco.com. Today, they are recognised as the world's largest online grocer with an online annual turnover of pounds 1billion.
In 2008, Tesco had a 27.1 per cent share of UK site visits compared wit h Asda (10.1per cent), Ald i (who don't sel l online) 9.5 per cent, Sainsbury''s (6.9 per cent) and Waitrose/ Ocado on 4.2 per cent.
In the mid-2000s, Britain's largest clothing retailers M&S launched their online shop.
Almost a third of consumers are planning to do more Christmas shopping online this year than they did last year, according to the latest Interactive Media in Retail Group e-Customer Service index.
Sixty-one per cent of e-shoppers plan to do 50 per cent or more of their present-buying.
According to IMRG, UK consumers will spend pounds 17.4billion online during the last quarter of this year - the up from pounds 15billion in 2009.
A survey by Tesco Direct found that one in 10 British shoppers will use their mobile phone to buy presents online this year, instead of using a home PC or laptop.
Smart phones have meant that those with hectic lives can shop for bargains on the go using their handheld devices.
In fact, the survey found that half of those shopping using a smart phone and "apps" will do so in front of the TV while one in four will log on to shopping sites during the daily commute.
eBay Mobile made online Christmas shopping easier for their visitors firstly by merging then buying and selling apps -then they introduced an innovative app that includes a barcode-scanning feature you can use to scan a product and compare its price to eBay.
In the US, seven million shoppers will buy using their mobile phones this year, says the National Retail Federation, compared with just four million in 2009.
During their busiest day, Play.com predict 1200 orders will be placed every minute.
There are two peak purchase times for Play.com shoppers - just after 9am as mums arrive home after the school run (or as employees arrive in the office for the working day - more than half of orders received by Amazon last year were from work PCs) or at 9.30pm.
Amazon have always been the must-visit online store for savvy e-shoppers. On the first Monday of last December, they sold two million items during a 24-hour period.
Globally, Amazon have experienced a 26-40 per cent increase in online orders on last year. Amazon Mobile UK have introduced an Amazon Remembers app which lets you take snapshots of products in a store to remember them later.
Sales for Tesco.com almost reached pounds 1billion in 2005, with profits for the online store up by 55 per cent to pounds 56.2million.
Five years on, Tesco reported their web revenue continued to rise year-on-year, generating a profit last year of pounds 136million.
They put their success down to new sites clothingattesco.com and tescoentertainment.planning com, both of which were launched in October last year.
The online shopping phenomenon looks set to explode in the next five years, according to food and grocery experts at IGD.
The organisation predict that the market value in the UK will double to pounds 9.5billion by 2015.
The rising trend is driven mainly by 18 to 34-year-olds and is down to developments including smart phone apps and "click and collect".
Joanne Denney-Finch, chief executive of IGD, also said: "Wider delivery coverage and better home internet connections are some other reasons why internet grocery retail has the potential to grow significantly." 

Powell Injury Dampens Today's Duel vs. Lewis // Lowered Expectations in High Jump

BARCELONA GAMES TRACK & FIELD

Today was the day Carl Lewis and Mike Powell were to begin theirmuch-anticipated and eagerly awaited High Noon shootout in the men'slong jump.

Today will be a day Powell hopes he can take two steps withoutwincing in pain.

Powell aggravated a chronic hamstring injury Monday afternoon atthe practice track adjacent to the Estadi Olimpic. The pain startedin his lower back and spread to the right leg. He was unable to workout Tuesday.

The qualifying round in the jump is today. The finals aretomorrow.

"If the prelims were today, he'd be jumping," said Brad Hunt,Powell's agent. "That is felt with absolute …

Chimps' future prompts debate over NM primate lab

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) — A decision to move 186 chimpanzees from a southern New Mexico facility to Texas is pitting government officials and scientists against a coalition of elected officials and animal rights advocates, including New Mexico's governor and also famed primate researcher Dr. Jane Goodall.

The chimps have spent the past decade undisturbed by medical researchers. But the National Institutes of Health has decided to cut government costs by moving the animals to a San Antonio primate facility, where animal rights activists worry they'll be improperly poked, prodded and stabbed in the name of science.

Gov. Bill Richardson and others would prefer to see the chimps' …

Oz children as young as 10 view pornography on school laptops

It was found that at least five students at one country primary school were caught watching porn on the machines at home.
One angry father, who was not named, said he was shocked to walk in and see "full-on" images on the screen in his grade 5 son's bedroom, and that his son was embarrassed.
"I went into his room and I couldn't believe it. He was a bit sheepish," the Herald Sun quoted him as saying.
The father said he'd been led to believe the computer, leased from Ouyen P-12 College, had filtering software, but he found out the school filtered the net only on its wireless network.
After the man raised his concerns with the school council, a check of students' Internet browser histories revealed at least another four students had either deliberately or accidentally surfed porn websites.
Ouyen P-12 College principal Leanne Dawes said the school had technical advice that filtering software on the computers would clash with its own wireless Internet security system, blocking students' access to educational material.
She said the school held regular cyber-safety classes, and it was up to parents to monitor home Internet use.
"Parents need to realise you can put all the blocks in the world on, but it's about teaching students how to use the tool," she said.
A spokesman for the Education Department said schools used secure Internet service providers, ensuring appropriate use on school grounds.
"Parents have full authority to manage their child's Internet use outside of school. The school provided parents with information about supervised Internet use," he said.
The spokesman said parents and children also signed a user agreement, setting out the child's responsibilities for appropriate use of the computers.
Published by HT Syndication with permission from Asian News International.

Web expanded at convention, but reach into homes uncertain.(Nation)(2000 Democratic National Convention)

LOS ANGELES - All through the Democratic National Convention, the talk was strictly happy along Internet Alley and Democracy Row until someone asked about the Internet services' profits and actual number of users.
Then - with one or two exceptions among the 62 Web site representatives on hand at the press center - there was hemming and hawing.
Take Women.com Network, an extensive Web site launched in January and dedicated to the females who now make up the majority of Internet users.
The site is nonpartisan and allows users to write petitions, sign any of more than 1,000 existing petitions, write their state and federal representatives and register to vote in states where it's legal to do so on line. The site even provides "shopping" information on candidates and lets women say exactly what they want in a politician. The site also has video of interviews and clips of convention speeches.
"We are doing very well," said Executive Producer Lisa Stone.
But ask her how many visits her site logged during the Republican Convention and how many it was getting during the Democratic one and she refuses to be specific.
"We've had a definite traffic bump. But we only give out numbers quarterly." she said.
In contrast, Voter.com was not the least bit hesitant to discuss either numbers or its business plan. The site features advertising, both commercial and political; unfiltered position papers and press releases from politicos, and offers candidates target outreach to registered users who say they want to get material from particular politicians or companies.
"We normally have 500,000 unique users a month, people who come on at least once," said Chris Lisi, Voter.com's media relations director. "On the second day of the Democratic convention, we had 280,000 page views, which translates to 140,000 users, which was a record for us. We're not making a profit yet, but we think we're well on our way."
ABCNews.com, which features video interviews conducted by ABC-TV stars Sam Donaldson and Cokie Roberts, was not offering specific numbers.
"We have no numbers yet from the conventions," according to a spokeswoman, "but we do know we've had an increase of 20 percent from our regular programming. That's probably because we're doing five Webcasts a day during the convention, compared to three normally."
Maybe one reason the dot-coms don't like to give out specific numbers is that the numbers aren't yet very good, and no one can be sure if or when they ever will be good.
A study of Web traffic during the Republican convention conducted by Harvard University's Joan Shorenstein Center on the Press, Politics and Public Policy concluded that visits to the four most popular news Web sites dropped 14 percent. The survey tracks choices of 120,000 home Internet users.
"Not a single respondent in our survey claimed to have participated in a convention-dedicated Web site," the report said. The survey also found that even though Voter.com placed computer kiosks around Philadelphia, only 120,000 people visited the site during the Republican convention.
Over on Democracy Row, the nonprofit Web sites were less concerned with money, more interested in visits. But they were equally unable or unwilling to get specific.
The 6-year-old California Voter Foundation's calvoter.org Web site, the largest state-oriented net operation, lists the top 10 donors for and against every ballot measure in the initiative-happy state and provides links to hundreds of other election-related Web sites. The site is funded by private donations and foundation grants.
"Our traffic has doubled with every election, both primary and general, since we started in 1994," said Executive Director Kim Alexander. "It's now about 500,000 page views per election."
One oddity she reported: Web site visits rose more during the week before the Republican convention than they did during convention week itself. 

Town of Moon celebrates Apollo mission. (Originated from Knight-Ridder Newspapers)

    MOON, Ky. _ It was a sunny day in Moon Wednesday. The astronaut wore a pink dress and blue high heels.     A crowd gathered around the lunar module and watched patiently. Finally, the door opened.     Diane Sharp peeked out, and she immediately told the crowd about poor supplies on her trip.     Hear this, Ground Control: the Moon Pies were melting, the RC Cola was warm and the foot gear was totally unacceptable.     ``I tell you one thing,'' Sharp said as she took one small step onto a flatbed truck. ``Neil Armstrong did not have to do this in heels.'' OK, so this is all a little goofy.     But who cares?     What better way to celebrate the 25th anniversary of the first U.S. … 

Town of Moon celebrates Apollo mission. (Originated from Knight-Ridder Newspapers)

    MOON, Ky. _ It was a sunny day in Moon Wednesday. The astronaut wore a pink dress and blue high heels.     A crowd gathered around the lunar module and watched patiently. Finally, the door opened.     Diane Sharp peeked out, and she immediately told the crowd about poor supplies on her trip.     Hear this, Ground Control: the Moon Pies were melting, the RC Cola was warm and the foot gear was totally unacceptable.     ``I tell you one thing,'' Sharp said as she took one small step onto a flatbed truck. ``Neil Armstrong did not have to do this in heels.'' OK, so this is all a little goofy.     But who cares?     What better way to celebrate the 25th anniversary of the first U.S. … 

And now for some Leo/ Tobey/Baz Luhrmann rumors

Romeo already reported that Baz Luhrmann wants to make his next film an adaptation of F. Scott Fitzgerald's "The Great Gatsby." That news has been around for about a year now. Well, the flamboyantly straight/free- spirited/somewhat heterosexual-ish director does want to make "Gatsby," and it's firing up the blogs lately that Leonardo DiCaprio, Tobey Maguire and Amanda Sey fried are in talks with Luhrmann to star. Now it's true that …

Bahrain Weather Forecast.

Manama, Sept. 11 (BNA) -- TheMeteorology Department at the Civil Aviation Department expects a fine weathertoday.

Northwesterly to northerly winds range from 10 to 15 knots, …

RAILROAD RIDE CLOSES UNTIL '87.(Show)

The Delaware & Ulster Rail Ride, a popular tourist attraction in Arkville, has been derailed by soaring liability insurance rates, according to ride management.

The last train leaves today, but the tourist railroad expects to be back on track for the 1987 season.

Trains are expected to run according to schedule this weekend, with the last excursion pulling out of the Arkville Depot at 4 p.m. today.

The final run will be made by the "Red Heifer," a 1928 Brill diesel locomotive.

The Delaware & Ulster Rail Ride is currently administered by the Catskill Rail Committee, composed of …

Fit Gogga can spin his way back into favour.(Sports)

BYLINE: MICHAEL OWEN-SMITH

IF there is one position that is totally up for grabs in the South African Test team, it is that of specialist spin bowler.

There were three bowlers who took five wickets in an innings in last weekend's opening round of the SuperSport Series - Claude Henderson, Con de Lange and Johan Botha - but they all did it in the first innings and not in the second, when they were meant to bowl their respective sides to victory.

In fact, not one of them ended up on the winning side.

Nicky BojA(c), the current Test team incumbent, took seven in the Diamond Eagles' match against the Titans, but the selectors were not impressed …

I&B nod to 74% FDI in broadcast carriage services

New Delhi, May 26 -- The Information and Broadcasting ministry has "broadly agreed" to increase the foreign direct investment (FDI) limit for broadcast carriage services to 74% across Direct-to-Home, Internet Protocol TV, Mobile TV, Headend-in-the-Sky and Teleport platforms so that uniformity is achieved in FDI
ceiling in carriage services.
A copy of the I&B ministry draft (a copy of which is with HT), said: The 74% limit is justified in the view of the burgeoning growth of the sector which requires huge investment and also in view of the convergences of technologies.
While favoring to retain the 26% FDI cap for news and current affairs TV channels, the ministry agreed for an increase in FDI in FM radio to 26% from the present 20%.
The I&B ministry also agreed with TRAI recommendation for a 74% foreign investment cap for multi-service operators (MSO) from the present 49% adding that amendments also needed to be made in the Cable Act while defining cable operators. In case of local service operators (LCO), it favoured retention of the FDI limit at 49%.
On broadcast carriage services, the ministry's view is that the 49% limit on automatic route is essential since the platform services require substantial infrastructure augmentation and foreign investment needs to be encouraged to fill the investment gap for infrastructure being built up.
There are about 106 million cable and satellite homes in India, of which 26 million are DTH while 80 million are cable homes. There are 706 TV channels in India -among the highest in the world.
Published by HT Syndication with permission from Hindustan Times.

Judge Orders Broadway 'Grinch' to Reopen

All the Whos down in Whoville will have holiday work this year after a Manhattan judge ordered the Broadway production of "Dr. Seuss' How The Grinch Stole Christmas!" to reopen despite the ongoing stagehands strike.

"I'm going to grant the injunction" against the lockout, state Supreme Court Justice Helen Freedman said Wednesday. "I think one Grinch in town in enough."

Her ruling came a day after she heard arguments from producers of the show and owners of the theater housing the $6 million production. Producers, citing a special contract between the show and Jujamcyn Theaters, wanted the show to go on.

The theater …

RV family finds `hydro' happiness in Ontario

MARA PROVINCIAL PARK, Ontario Our rental RV was the only such rig inan Ontario campground filled with tents and little pop-up trailers.

On a hot and steamy day, we longed to flip on our generator fora spot of air-conditioning. But having been tent-campers ourselves,we knew the noisy nuisance it would be to anyone within range. So weforfeited the pleasure.

My son, Jim, and I had flown that morning from Chicago toToronto. There, a man from Cruise Canada, a recreational-vehiclerental agency not far from the airport, took us to our vehicle.Bedding, dishes and utensils were supplied, so all we'd had to bringwas our clothing and hobby gear. We picked up groceries on …

Software tool focuses on immediate needs.

Software tool focuses on immediate needs

Program targets fee-for-service members

As part of a program targeting at-risk Medicaid fee-for service members, case managers at Hudson Health Plan are using a software tool that helps them focus in on the needs of their clients they should address first.

The Westchester Cares Action Program is being funded through a three-year grant program with the New York State Department of Health and targets 250 of the highest-risk, highest-need individuals enrolled in Medicaid fee-for-service in Westchester County.

The program involves Hudson case managers beta-testing the InterMed Complex Assessment Grid, a tool which was developed and used successfully in Europe, according to Margaret Leonard, MS, RN-BC, FNP, senior vice president for clinical services at Hudson Health Plan with …

Bogus callers still doing the rounds - police.

BALLYMENA householders are being urged to be on their guard following reports that bogus callers are doing the rounds of doorsteps in the borough.

Police are appealing to members of the public to be vigilant and adhere to the following advice in relation to bogus callers.

A PSNI spokesperson said: "Bogus callers depend on the good nature and good will of others, and will arrive with a very plausible story, so don't be fooled.

"Always keep unexpected callers outside on the doorstep and never let strangers into your home."

Members of the public should follow this police advice when dealing with unexpected visitors:

*Think before you …

Materials of construction for low-temperature and cryogenic processes: Part 1: to succeed in materials selection for subzero temperatures, appreciate the importance of impact strength.(Cover story)

Trends in the worldwide chemical process industries, especially a steep rise in the compression and liquefaction of gases to lower the costs of their storage and transportation, have heightened the engineer's need to have a working familiarity with chemical-process operation at low (nominally, below 0[degrees]C) and cryogenic (below -100[degrees]C) temperatures. In addition to natural gas, numerous other fluids, such as hydrogen, argon, oxygen, nitrogen, carbon dioxide, ethylene, ammonia and LPG are commonly liquefied.

One key engineering consideration is the choice of materials of construction for such frigid temperatures. Aside from chemical compatibility with and corrosion resistance to the stored liquid, a key mechanical property in the assessment of a given metal or other material for such applications is its toughness, namely, its impact strength. Indeed, toughness can be more important than the tensile strength, yield strength and elongation that play so major a role in specification of materials for more conventional temperatures.

Behavior at low temperatures

At more-conventional operating temperatures, steels are normally considered to be ductile and thus to yield under loads, deforming before an ultimate failure. At subzero temperatures, by contrast, the material exhibits sudden brittleness, making it prone to unexpected fractures. In such a condition, the material is subject to failure without any plastic flow, deformation or other warning. (This strange behavior of steels was first observed in the catastrophic failure of hull sections of warships in the Arctic during World War II.)

The temperature at which the material becomes transformed from the ductile to the brittle phase as it cools is called Nil Ductility Transition Temperature (NDTT). The material's consequent susceptibility to rupture is called its notch brittleness, because the presence of any metallurgical or mechanical notch, such as a crack, can trigger premature and sudden failure as just described. Conversely, the notch toughness (or, simply, toughness) of the material can be defined as the ability of the material to resist fracture in the presence of any mechanical or metallurgical notch.

Notch toughness is a function of the impact strength: a notch-tough, and accordingly ductile, material possesses better impact strength than does a brittle one. The impact strength of a material varies with the …

Afghans protest after overnight raid kills 4

Afghans are demonstrating in front of a line of U.S. military vehicles in eastern Afghanistan to protest what officials say are the deaths of four Afghans during an overnight U.S. raid.

Khost Province Deputy Gov. Tahir Khan Sabari says the raid killed four people and wounded two. Protesters also said several Afghans were arrested.

Sabari says the raid took …

the revolution will not-be televised.(African American businesses and technology)

It's happening online. You need to know how to apply information technology to create wealth, build your business, boost your career, and educate the next generation.
THIRTY YEARS AGO, WE REFERRED TO A PROGRAM AS A television show; a window was something you looked out of; a memory was something you cherished; a hard drive was a long road trip; an application was for employment; a web was a spider's home; and a virus was the flu. Now these words have taken on new meanings, keeping pace with the rapid evolution of technology.
We have seen society shift from an Industrial Age, an age of motors and the assembly line, to an Information Age, an age of computer networks, to a Digital Age, an age of Internet and wireless access.
During its 30-year-history, BLACK ENTERPRISE has told the stories of black Silicon Valley pioneers such as John W. Thompson, chairman, president and CEO of software giant Symantec Corp. We have reported on the accomplishments of today's black digerati, among them Dwayne M. Walker, CEO of ShopNow.com, a publicly traded Internet company.
Despite their vast contributions to past and present technology, issues and challenges still face African American executives and entrepreneurs. They must create and use technology to improve education, economics, and employment within their families and communities.
Indeed, the revolution will not be televised because it's happening online. And the weapon that is going to help liberate African Americans in this digital economy is information technology. Information is fast becoming the world's most resource.
It's perfectly clear, however, there is a huge gap between the "haves" and the "have nots" when it comes to equal access to information and the tools of technology--be it computers in the home, Internet connectivity, or wireless devices--which can be applied to better one's quality of life.
That's not to say that there aren't a number of African Americans who have fully embraced technology for personal and business use. In fact, those who do have access to the Internet are going online at a rate twice that of the general population. African Americans are expected to purchase more computers than other groups over the next couple of years.
As African Americans play catch-up with the rest of the nation, they can't afford to miss a step. The following five strategies will enable you to survive and thrive in the new millennium and ready yourself for the next technological age.
* UNDERSTAND AND EMBRACE NEW TECHNOLOGY. Our world changes so quickly, it has become increasingly difficult to keep up with new technological developments and to understand their implications. Already futurists are talking about an electronic wallet--a smart card that replaces your money, keys, driver's license, medical records, and other necessities. By the year 2006 hybrid-powered cars that run on electricity and natural gas will be commercially available. Just around the corner are smart homes that will make the typical family resemble the Jetsons, not the Jeffersons. An automated home will free up your time.
You will be able to capitalize on the forces and trends shaping the world of tomorrow, but only if you have the right information and technological tools. The real hook up is being online. Not only does it enable small businesses to compete with large companies, but preferential treatment is given to companies that do business with each other electronically.
Looking for a new job or to buy a new home? There are more listings posted on the Web than there are ads in newspapers. Being online also has its financial benefits. You can pay your bills and keep tabs on your 401(k) plan. Online trading can be cheaper than using a stockbroker. Some of the lowest prices for goods, especially hard-to-find items, are found at stores whose addresses end with dotcom.
Just a few years ago, dial-up (through standard phone lines) was the only way to get on to the Net. Online service providers are offering high-speed broadband access via cable modem or DSL (digital subscriber line).
Broadband is more than a technology, says David Angell, author of DSL For Dummies (IDG Books, $24.99). "It changes the way we live, learn, and work, by tapping into the full promise of the Internet" for running a household, managing a business, investing in the stock market, and connecting to friends, family, and clients.
In the meantime, wireless handheld devices, such as your Palm organizer and cell phone, will become your most trusted form of communication. Imagine using a personal digital unit to create a smart map that will help you avoid traffic.
It seems there's nothing a computer chip can't do once you slip it into the right place. The promise of tomorrow is that you can access any information--and anyone--from anywhere at anytime within the blink of an eye.
* BE AN ACTIVE PARTICIPANT CLOSING THE DIGITAL DIVIDE Beyond the role of public and private partnerships, everyone has a part to play. Overcoming the digital divide begins at home. Whereas it is commonplace to have a television set in nearly every room, African American families should have more than one computer--one for mom, one for dad, and another for the kids.
"Technology, computing, and Internet access are a given in my home," says Al Zollar, president and CEO of Lotus Development Corp., an IBM company. "It is integrated in our lives." The 23-year veteran, one of the highest ranking African Americans at IBM, cites, for example, that he anticipated his daughter's phone bills at college would be high. However, it turns out that Keisah Zollar, a 19-year-old student at the University of California at San Diego, uses instant messaging. This way she keeps in touch with her family and friends via the Internet.
"Closing the Digital Divide gap is a crucial agenda," he stresses, "because we live in a society that increasingly relies on computers and the Internet to deliver and enhance communication."
But if we're not plugged in, we can't play. And if we don't play, we can't expect to win. One way you can help ensure that everyone has access to information technology is by getting your employer to donate computers to schools or churches in the area. Volunteer your services teaching computer and Internet skills at any of the more than 350 Community Technology Centers nationwide. Visit the CTC Network Website (www.ctcnet.org). The Digital Divide Network (www.digital-dividenetwork.org) has extensive listings of volunteer opportunities.
* PREPARE THE NEXT GENERATION OF BLACK DIGERATI. Opportunities abound in the high-tech sector. Yet, the nation's Cop tech companies resemble the rest of corporate America. Minorities are moving laterally while other groups are moving up. Also, too few African American students are earning science and engineering degrees, says George Campbell Jr., president and CEO of the National Action Council for Minorities in Engineering (NACME).
Statistics from NACME's "Math is Power" campaign show that African American students lose interest in math and science after the sixth grade. Ironically, Generation Y has grown up on technology. Today's youth are familiar with interactive characters and 3D graphic video games. Never mind listening to CDs on A Sony Discman; we're talking downloading music from the Net and listening to it on portable digital players.
You need to do whatever you can to help the children around you--including nieces, nephews, grandchildren, as well as your own youngsters--to understand and appreciate the value of science and math. Trips to science museums should be a part of every family's regular outings. Board games and software programs about black scientists and inventors should be in every home. Don't forget to constantly upgrade your own skills so you can compete in an increasingly technological workforce.
Using current technology to educate the next generation must be a priority, This is a call to arms for African American churches, fraternities, sororities, and businesses.
* BUILD PROFITABLE E-COMMERCE COMPANIES. For would-be Internet moguls, private-equity markets are more pliable than ever before. The amount of venture capital investments ballooned to $21 billion in 1999, with Internet companies getting the biggest share. It is becoming less difficult for African American netpreneurs to get start-up capital thanks to a growing community of tech-focused African American venture capitalists.
How well have you integrated the Internet into your company's operations? Not every e-business needs to be an e-commerce site. Your Website may serve as a calling card to improve brand awareness.
Poor planning, severe cost-cutting and un-realistic notions about how to conduct on-line business will contribute to the decline of many e-commerce sites, according to Karen Lake, founder and president of StrategyWeek.com To ensure that your current or anticipated e-commerce business falls into that 20% that succeed, listen to your customers and respond quickly to their needs. Also, look beyond the U.S. and learn to accommodate an international customer base. Globalization will be even hotter tomorrow than it is today.
* JOIN ONLINE COMMUNITIES. The World Wide Web is becoming a powerful medium for bringing about a greater sense of community online and off. The Net has become a meeting place for people to share resources and exchange ideas. Netizans are coming together in person to put their words into action--from forming book clubs to starting investment clubs.
Make no mistake about it, the Net has a soulful side, offering plenty of opportunities for you to network, shop, find jobs, and meet that perfect mate. There are more than a dozen black-oriented Web portals and destination sites, from NetNoir, one of the first cyberspace explorers, to BlackPlanet.com, one of the fastest growing community sites today.
At Africana.com, "we're bridging the gap between a national and an international community," says Philippe Wamba, the site's editor in chief. "We want our site to be useful and relevant to people's lives, For example, we ran a series `from job to career,' which provided advice on how to package and present yourself."
It is paramount for African Americans to harness all the information the Net has to offer from every possible venue. It has the potential to improve every aspect of human life. Through distant learning and interactive multimedia, the Net can enhance the educational experience. Forget about holding a traditional job, telecommuting will allow you to market your skills to organizations around the world.
There are no signs that the digital economy will slow down. It will continue to spur job growth and open the doors to prosperity for Web-savvy entrepreneurs. In the 21st century, African Americans must make sure that they, too, share in the spoils of the digital revolution.
kim folsom
president and ceo, seminarsource.com on implementing technology in small business
TECHNOLOGY IS TRULY LEVELING THE PLAYING field. So investing in technology and applying it to your business is very much a winning strategy for completing in the open market. Currently, about 2% of all businesses in the world have a presence on the Web. That means 98% don't, an opportunity that you can use to increase your ability to succeed in business. For example, e-commerce can allow you to easily reach global markets that you probably wouldn't otherwise be able to access.
Using technology will mean more access to capital for African American business owners. With the [stock] market where it is today, people are more willing to invest. But it has to be a sound investment. You'll still need to show potential investors that you're going to give them a return and show how your management team and business plan and your model will mitigate their risk and get that return.
One of the fears many companies have about using technology is the perception that you first have to know it and understand it. No, you don't. You can hire or partner with people who have the knowledge. Get to know people who can help you and leverage them; that's what's called strategic relationships. Don't use your personal lack of technology know-how as an excuse not to implement it. Technology isn't going to replace traditional business concepts like brand recognition. It will only enhance them. There are enough companies out there that can help you get set up so that you can use your business as a model and show others how it's supposed to be done. How you execute your business is up to you, but know that success through applied technology is attainable.
Kim Folsom has over 20 years of experience in the analysis, design, development, and installation of high-volume transaction-based financial and e-commerce systems, as well as managing business operations and personnel for financial institutions and high-growth companies, such as Central Federal Savings, Great American Bank, Advanta Mortgage Corp., Alltel Communications, and the National Dispatch Center. Stationed in San Diego, Folsom holds a bachelor of science degree in information systems from San Diego State University and is a candidate for an M.B.A at Pepperdine University.
magic johnson
founder, urbanmagic.com on e-business
I THOUGHT THE LAKERS RAN A FAST BREAK, BUT I CAN'T BELIEVE THE PACE AT WHICH THE Internet changes. The key in sports and in business is who you play with. You must have a strong team. In business, you have to have a strong team. If you don't, you will fail. The great challenge [for e-biz] is that what you do has to be great, different. If the content is not fabulous, you're going to lose right out of the box. There are a lot of companies that saw so many others becoming millionaires overnight that they rushed out there to try to copy. You have to see the landscape, know your competition--"Who's out there? Why did they fail?"--and do it differently.
ON CHALLENGES FACING BLACK ENTREPRENEURS
In one word: money. If you don't have the capital, you aren't going to have good people and good content. Businesses are starting to realize that many of their consumers are minorities, so they are starting to target us. [To start UrbanMagic.com], I had to go to school, in a sense. A lot of people said I couldn't do this. They didn't take me seriously. But you've got to keep trying, get people to buy into your vision. I hire people who are like me, and then I let them do their thing.
ON THE DIGITAL DIVIDE
The Digital Divide is huge. Right now, 15% of minorities are online. We are falling behind. We have to teach and educate [minorities] about how important it is to be online, rye been supportive of groups that create tech centers all across the country. We need to get the young kids in there and give them free access to the Internet. They need to know how to use it.
ON THE WEB
It has to empower minorities, show them how to do things, like how to go in and get a loan or services. A lot of minorities don't know that a lot of loans are earmarked for them. The Web should help them understand how to go about acquiring [services]. It should teach them about business and health--the list goes on and on. But first you have to draw them to site. Entertainers and athletes will be key, but you have to go further and teach them something that they didn't know.
Before he suited up for business, Earvin "Magic'" Johnson captivated sports fans for 13 years as a forward for the Los Angeles Lakers. As if five businesses weren't enough, the congenial chief executive is about to launch UrbanMagic.com, an entertainment-and-music-oriented Website targeting urban youth.
al zollar
president and ceo, lotus development corp. on preparing the next tech-savvy generation
WEALTH CREATION IN OUR SOCIETY HAS BEEN DRIVEN BY TECHNOLOGY, ESPECIALLY OVER THE PAST FEW YEARS. IT'S extremely important to me that African Americans and people of color in general not be left out of this wealth creation wave, as we have been left out of other wealth creation waves throughout history. In order for that to happen, we have to become very comfortable with technology. That starts with our youth.
We really have to solve the problem of our African American and Hispanic children. Many of them are opting out of math and science; attrition is particularly acute around the sixth grade. I think many of the reasons for this have to do with the educational system in general. It's up to us to make sure that we are adequately prepared through the rigorous study of math and science. Many of the schools that our children attend have teachers who don't have the same credentials as those in other communities and private schools teaching math and science. The ability to motivate students to pursue these fields is always going to be linked to the teacher's ability to connect with these students. To use my own personal example, it was a series of teachers through my high school years who motivated me to become interested in math and, ultimately, pursue a college degree in the subject.
Mentoring programs are also very important, and it's crucial for African Americans who are in the technology field to give back and provide that type of guidance. We talk a lot about the Digital Divide and how we have to get access to technology. But at the end of the day, it's people who inspire each other, not the tools they use.
Al Zollar was named president and CEO of Lotus Development Corp., the industry leader in messaging collaboration and knowledge management software, earlier this year. Prior to that, he was general managers of IBM's Network Computing Software Division. He holds a master of arts degree in applied mathematics from the University of California at San Diego.