Site Design: Domain Name Terminology
From: www.wilsonweb.com

"Defines various common domain name terminology, such as parked or for sale page, domain locking, domain status alerts, forwarding and masking, e-mail forwards, and change of registration. Date: Jun 21, 2004, 20:31 PST"

E-Mail Marketing: "Deliver My Mail" Campaign Launches
From: www.wilsonweb.com

"Dr. Ken Evoy has launched the Deliver My Mail campaign to demand that ISPs do their job to deliver customer-requested, opt-in e-mail, rather than filtering it out without notice. He threatens ISPs with a class action lawsuit if they don't stop damaging small businesses ability to deliver e-mail to their customers. Date: Jun 20, 2004, 13:27 PST"

Site Design: Are Junk Mail Graphics Copyright Free?
From: www.wilsonweb.com

"Don't ever use graphics or photos on your website without permission. Rather, subscribe to a monthly service from which you can download royalty-free photos and graphics, such as from ClipArt.com, Photos.com, or AbleStock.com. Date: Jun 16, 2004, 08:55 PST"

E-Commerce: International E-Commerce
From: www.wilsonweb.com

"Suggests targeting the website to suit both langage and culture of the target group, with sales in the suitable currency and by the appropriate means for that group. Money exchange systems examples include PayCash, WorldPay, PayPal. Date: Jun 16, 2004, 07:30 PST"

Conversion: Introduction to A/B Split-Testing for Your Webpages
From: www.wilsonweb.com

"Link Description: Explains that split run testing isn't as difficult as thought. No longer the exclusive domain of large companies, testing is now available to -- and vital -- to smaller businesses. He promises an price entry point of $20 to $30, with a couple free programs thrown in. Date: Jun 11, 2004, 19:39 PST"


MSN Hotmail Takes on Google with 250 MB of Email Storage
From: www.webpronews.com

"In a few weeks, users of MSN Hotmail will be offered 250MB of storage space. The upgrade will take place in early July, Microsoft announced today."

Google Loses Gmail s UK Domain
From: www.webpronews.com

"Google may be defensive of its brand, but, it appears that Google is not has driven to protect its Gmail brand. Recently, the search engine went on a buying binge for domains that resembled the Google brand name. However, it appears that they forgot, or didn't care, to do the same for Gmail."

Is Google Going Open Source?
From: www.webpronews.com

"Not quite, but, the number one search engine is planning on releasing SOME of its code to the public, according to The Age, an Australian news site. News of this came as Google reps are visiting Melbourne, with the idea of opening a research and development center."

Google Makes Amendments To IPO Filing
From: www.webpronews.com

"Google has made some amendments to its initial filing that was done for the SEC with the intention, it seems, of quelling fears that have risen about Google since it (http://www.webpronews.com/news/ebusinessnews/wpn-45-20040429GoogleFinallyFilesIPO.html)first filed in April 29, 2004."

Citing Search Result Counts Is Not News
From: www.webpronews.com

"Fox News reporter John Gibson argued that the BBC had displayed "a frothing-at-the-mouth" anti-American bias. In response to some complaints about this coverage Fox News said searching for the phrase "BBC anti-american" in the Google internet search engine resulted in (http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/entertainment/3805691.stm)47,200 hits."


Eavesdropping on NASCAR
From: www.wired.com

"Nextel lets NASCAR fans listen to track chatter. Also: Titan is unlikely to reach a plea agreement on bribery charges.... UPS introduces wireless scanning.... and more."

Overstocking in Afghanistan
From: www.wired.com

"For years, we've heard the Internet will change the face of global commerce. Even so, it's odd that Afghanistan's biggest private employer nowadays is a discount online retailer in Utah. By Joanna Glasner."

Spyware Bill Sailing in House
From: www.wired.com

"A House committee overwhelmingly approves a bill that would ban installation of spyware without users' permission. Still, the bill raises hackles among software industry folks and allies in Congress. Michael Grebb reports from Washington."

You've Got More Advertising
From: www.wired.com

"AOL says it will buy Advertising.com for $435 million. Also: Hotmail plans to increase storage to 250 MB.... Italian mobile-phone group blocks Vodafone messages after 'fake messages' spat.... and more."

Florida to Tax Home Networks
From: www.wired.com

"Home and small businesses with two or more networked computers may be subject to a communications tax in Florida. No one seems to want the tax, but it's moving along anyway. By Michelle Delio."


Better Multi-Select Widget
From: webword.com

" Andy Edmonds of Uzilla pointed me to the Better Multi-Select Widget.

"In a recent usability test with non-information workers in an intranet application, we discovered that none of the users successfully selected multiple responses when presented in a HTML select element with multiple selection enabled. To solve this problem, a new form of multi-select was crafted. In addition to creating an affordance multiple selection, this system also provides better system status information."

I found the widget confusing at first but after about a minute I understood the concept. In effect you can hide and show a lot of information in a small space. I could see this concept being used quite effectively on small screens or in cases where users didn't need to see a ton of options all at once. I think that this widget would be best used with semi-advanced and advanced users, mainly because it is not 100% clear how to use it without an overview or instructions.

The concept of hiding information in sections has been around for a while in Lotus Notes. In Notes, there is the concept of the "twistie" which is a little triangle that when clicked opens and closes sections of information. Not a new concept, but I haven't seen anything exactly like this on the web. Not a revolution, but still kind of sweet."

A Visit to the Dentist Without Pain
From: webword.com

" For years I went to a dentist who caused me pain. Every time I would completely dread my visit if I needed a filling or a repair because every time it would hurt. I didn't think novocaine worked and didn't bother getting it because it would hurt no matter what.

However, today I went to a new dentist. This guy was awesome. He was arrogant, but that was his only real flaw. He was joking around, telling me stories, and it was generally pleasant. Furthermore, the drilling experience was painless and even after the novocaine wore off, I've been free of pain.

From beginning to end the experience was excellent. It was good for several reasons:

1. The atmosphere was pleasant, bright, and clean.
2. The dentist was very skilled, personable, and witty.
3. My wait time was virtually nothing; excellent logistics.
4. Billing was simple and they easily handled some insurance issues.
5. NO PAIN during or after (!) the procedure.

So, not only was the physical pain minimized, but the pain of the office visit itself was minimized. Bravo!

I'm talking about this so that other people understand that a good experience is built from many pieces. If this new dentist was good -- no pain! -- I could have still had a bad experience because of his office, or his staff, or some other factor. That didn't happen. Rock on!!"

Buy.com -- Another Bad Experience
From: webword.com

" I placed an order with Buy.com on 12-June for a cell phone. It has been nearly two weeks since I placed the order and I'm tired of waiting for it. So, I decided to cancel my order. In a previous posting I talked about how Buy.com confused me by email. Well, now they are confusing me on their web site too. Here's what they told me when I cancelled the order.

"We'll eMail you within the next business day to let you know if your item has been cancelled."

Are they really telling me that it will take one full business day to know if the order was cancelled? Are you kidding me? My cancellation request is hitting a database, not a person or group of people. Either the item has shipped or it has not. If it hasn't shipped, then I should be able to cancel it and get immediate confirmation of cancellation!

Maybe their site isn't database driven. Maybe it is Powered By Little Squirrels. I just don't get it. Really, it confuses me.

Buy.com's response is especially bad for me because now I have to wait up to one day before I can take my business elsewhere. I can't wait to go some other place to get my cell phone. At this point, because I am so frustrated, I am willing to pay a premium for the item, and I'm going to expedite the shipping too. My cost will be higher but it is worth it to counteract the frustration I fell right now with Buy.com and their Squirrel-Powered web site!

You might be thinking that I am just ranting and raving. Maybe you are right. But think of this. I'm talking about serious business issues and profits. I'm taking my business to another company because I am not happy with my experience. If your web site frustrates people that directly translates to lost sales, lost opportunities, and lost profits. If you are in business, you should care very much about these "little" complaints. My transaction is small -- just a drop -- but those drops add up on the bottom line.

(I help companies like Buy.com all the time. It is shame they didn't get professional usability help!)"

The Fact Finders
From: webword.com

" The Age -- "A new text-based information service offers answers to mobile customers on any network. Tap out a question on SMS, send it to MojoKnows (0410 665 646) and the company will text back the answer: within 15 minutes if customers are willing to pay $3, within the hour for $2 or within 24 hours for $1."

As information density increases it becomes harder and harder to find information. What is the relationship between the two? As information densisty increases how much harder is it to find information? And, is it always harder to find information as the density increases?

Read the article...

(Thanks for the submission Dano!)"

Buy.com Customer Service Email Confusion
From: webword.com

" "We may not be able to provide you information about the wireless plans but we have Buy.com Wireless Customer Support Department who will provide you the further details about the wireless plans."

Can they provide information or not?



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