Marketing Savvy
CreativeWriting.com, LLC
May 12, 2000  

Hello Everybody,

TGIF!  Whew, another week that rushed by in a blur. :-)  Looks like everybody survived the "love" virus and is back to productivity.  Just when you think it is safe, there's another virus.  It looks like the "I Love You" virus has a friend:

http://www.computerworld.com/home/print.nsf/CWFlash/000510DDBA

By now, we've all updated, upgraded and scanned, so we should be free of viruses.  

It hasn't been that simple for Microsoft.  They are still trying to figure out the solution to their DOJ troubles and running a software program won't solve them.  

Ironically, they have suggested that they know just the right "punishment" for their crime of anti-trust violations.  They are suggesting that they are only grounded for one week instead of a lifetime.  Actually, Jesse Berst says it best in his column entitled, "Microsoft Spanks Itself".  While the article is an accurate assessment of the situation, the comments by the readers are interesting reading.

http://www.zdnet.com/anchordesk/stories/story/0,10738,2566515,00.html

Now...on to the rest of the news.

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++Net Taxes - Current Moratorium Extended

The current federal legislation that prevents taxes from being collected on the Net has been extended for another five years.  Meaning that the moratorium will continue on until October 21, 2006.  For the full story:

http://usgovinfo.about.com/newsissues/usgovinfo/library/news/aa051000a.htm

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++Internet Start Ups still attract Venture Capitalists

Just when the stock market gets a little shaky and everybody starts talking about how Internet Start Ups are losers, we find that investments by venture capitalists are actually up for the first quarter of 2000.  Up by 266%.  Doesn't look like it's slowing down any time soon. 

http://www.ventureeconomics.com/news_ve/1999VEpress/VEpress05_04_00.htm

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++Do I Need a Firewall?

Just a little clarification here.  The Shields Up! product, that I talked about in my previous newsletter, is actually only a tool that will test your computer.  To get actual firewall software, you'll have to buy some other software.  I'm leaving both links here so that you can use the first one to test your computer and the second one to see if you want to buy the software from Zone Labs to add a firewall to your system.  

Thanks to Paul Lawler for clearing up the confusion:  

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++Yahoo and Lycos scrap Broadband - for now

Both companies had products developed for broadband access.  Unfortunately, the customers simply aren't there and they've cut these two programs.  Slow access is still mainstream for consumers and they will wait until the threshold of broadband customers increases before launching their high speed products.  More on this and what other ISP's are doing with regard to broadband.

http://www.nua.ie/surveys/index.cgi?f=VS&art_id=905355753&rel=true

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++Dr. Ebiz Answers Questions

He's like the Dear Abbey of small business on the Internet.  This issue covers hiring a web design firm, starting an Internet business and putting advertising banners on your site.  The answers are simplistic, but they do explain how to get started.

http://doctorebiz.com/current/current.htm

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++Biztro

Former Microsoft employee didn't feel that Microsoft was truly helping the small business owner.  One business plan later and we have Biztro.  It's a web based company that allows business owners to log on and do payroll, benefits, human resources, purchasing, etc. 

Will it catch on?  Maybe, it's cheaper than buying all the small business products offered by Microsoft, you don't have to install a software application and it's easier to use - according to the owners.  

While you are at Business 2.0, read all the articles.  Superb information. 

http://www.business2.com/articles/2000/05/content/feature_3.html

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“Winners expect to win in advance.  Life is a self-fulfilling prophecy.”

--Anonymous

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