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To: peter michaelson who wrote (6196)	6/20/1999 4:25:00 AM
From: Jeff Dryer	Respond to of 32883

Thanks Peter for your comments on Datek. Like people, companies are not perfect either, but if we strive to understand the strengths and weaknesses (and why?), then a better product/service can evolve. I've been interested in eBay's technical problems lately. It's obvious eBay has a technology weakness... they simply aren't as strong technically as some of the other leading Internet companies. It's a weakness that they need to address... but most people seem willing to stick it out with eBay because the eBay experience will likely improve. >It is possible that they (Datek) have the worst customer service in >the financial industry. >On the other hand, many of us love, or have loved, SI. SI has the >best customer service. It's that human/feelings thing, you know? Like peanut butter and chocolate then : )

To: peter michaelson who wrote (6196)	6/20/1999 4:32:00 AM
From: Jeff Dryer	Read Replies (1) \| Respond to of 32883

>Are you familiar with the NY Times piece on Datek, about a year ago. >Or the recent SEC sanctions. Not the best smelling flower in the >bunch. Yes. I believe all of this has been resolved as of several weeks ago. May 18, 1999 Datek settles with SEC news.com I believe Datek will be much stronger with Paul Allen investments. May 25, 1999 Datek lands $300 million investments cbs.marketwatch.com and June 10, 1999 Paul Allen's fund invests in Island cbs.marketwatch.com

To: peter michaelson who wrote (6196)	6/20/1999 4:51:00 AM
From: Jeff Dryer	Read Replies (1) \| Respond to of 32883

>Jeff, you don't spend much time reading SI, I guess. No offense, but >while Datek has its strengths and has been an empowering agent of >change, no one actually likes Datek. SI is my primary research tool... my window to the rest of the Web. I read several thousand messages for each one I post. I believe SI is the greatest research tool in existence. I have seen negative feedback about Datek on SI, but the good things Datek has done for the financial Web (and in particular individual investors) seems to have been forgotten. Datek Island (their ECN) has changed the balance of power on Wall Street. Everyone is threatened including the New York Stock Exchange, NASDAQ, Goldman Sachs, Merrill Lynch. There is a mad scramble underway to create online exchanges to compete against Datek's Island system. The benefits of Island are better execution prices and lower commissions for individual investors. Old Wall Street firms (market makers and brokers) don't like this because best execution prices used to be their exclusive perks... and big fat commissions for what? their advice? The Datek Island Home page has lots of good stuff to read isld.com