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Technology Stocks : WAVX Anyone? -- Ignore unavailable to you. Want to Upgrade?

To: jas singh MD who wrote (2454)	5/29/1998 11:14:00 AM
From: M. Frank Greiffenstein	Respond to of 11417

The porno connection... LOL, didn't I post here a while back that the Wave meter would be great for viewing porno on a pay-per-view basis? No more credit card numbers sent over insecure lines to people of quesitonable character? From the Wired article: <<As far as the Internet being proof of the pay-per-use model, McAteer says such content has been a small part of Web use, and primarily confined to pornography publishing.>> Jas, I think the article does contain some positive information and some clues. For example, how many people on this board knew that MSFT would have to write programs to interact with the Wave meter (APIs)? MSFT has always been a company that hedges its bets, and demonstrates the ability to turn on a dime. Seems to me it woulnd't take much time for MSFT to write such programs at minimal cost. Why not write them just in case Wave meters take off? DocStone

To: jas singh MD who wrote (2454)	5/29/1998 11:24:00 AM
From: andrew peterson	Read Replies (1) \| Respond to of 11417

Interesting article. Some good points on the skeptical side, but there are a lot of things I'd take issue with. First is the premise in the lead sentence -- that the WaveMeter is primarily about renting software. That's one use, but putting it the way the article does, it makes the meter sound like a very limited device. The meter is a way to buy stuff -- it gives people more options of ways to buy stuff, not fewer. It opens up possibilities rather than limiting them. If you have the option of trying before you buy, maybe you'll do that, especially for a big purchase. On the analysts's comments: "Overall I'm pessimistic on metered content. Like micropayment, it relies on capabilities built into the client -- i.e. the user's PC. That needs to be widespread with a critical mass," That's increasingly a moot point -- and an odd comment to make just when WAVX is taking the steps needed to achieve that critical mass. "Part of the lack of interest on the part of consumers, McAteer believes, is an aversion to monitoring technology built into their PC, be it a smart-card reader or a usage meter." This too is a moot point if the meter is already on your computer. Sure, you don't have to use it, but if you've got a CD with a hot new game sitting on your desk and you can try it out for a few cents, you're likely to do that. It's just a matter of offering the right enticement. Listen -- credit card companies track all your moves too, but we're not resistant to them. Why? The reward for their use is just too enticing. The same will be true of the WaveMeter. "Nor does McAteer see the pay-as-you-go market. Consumers, he said, like to own. "There is a real value in ownership." Part of that value is the consumer's ability to take their time in getting to know a piece of software, he said." Hello! You can buy stuff with the meter. Buying means owning. In fact, with a meter you can get to know it before you buy it. This is an argument for, not against metering. "But in this case, he points out that there are several parties that have to build it -- from chip suppliers like Standard to PC manufacturers to software companies, including Microsoft Corp. building metering APIs into its operating system." Now this one is interesting. Is it in fact true that metering capabilities will need to be built into operating systems? I've never heard that before and I don't understand why it would be true. Could someone else help out with this question? Responses, anyone? I'm glad to have a negative case made. It will sharpen our abilities to make our side of the argument.

To: jas singh MD who wrote (2454)	5/29/1998 8:06:00 PM
From: John	Read Replies (1) \| Respond to of 11417

Hello Jas, I agree with your viewpoint. The article about Wave and the comments from the analysts really made me laugh. Where do they get these so-called experts? I feel very confident that I can respond to the article and our good friend Doc as a true expert in the field of consumer behavior. Especially when it comes to purchaseing habits. My background is consumer marketing (25 years) and their is definately a strong trend toward consumers choosing to lease or rent versus buying. Look at videos for my first example. The rental market blows away the purchase market. Then look at telephones, furniture, time-share, airplanes, cars, etc. They all created leasing/rental markets valued in the billions. IMO, the trend of ownership (in many categories) has shifted dramatically to lease, rent or rent-to-own. And privacy...that's a joke. Every credit card company knows what we buy, telephone companies know who we talk to and the list goes on. Wave is just another company that will have information on it's clients. IMO, WAVX has opened the door to the next level and is close to reaching its goal of critical mass distribution. Once a few of the OEM's start testing the software bundled program they will see very positive results...guaranteed. Imagine buying your new IBM and inside the box is some really cool software...especially games. Don't you think a large percentage of the buyers will be intrigued enough to give the rental program a test drive...just out of curiosity? Especially when they are guaranteed a 20% discount off the retail price if they buy through rent-to own wave meters. It is a NO BRAINER. However, the down side is you have to have "field" test results to really make it big. Which means at least a few million computers have to be out there for 3-4 months before accurate results can be read. But if they get the right software bundle program, the test results should prove to be very successful. Then the OEM market will all include wave meters and the Internet content providers will all make their web sites "Wave Enabled". Especially with the increased band width. Be patient all, it will probably take a year before wave hits that home run.... But so far they have a double and I'll take that every day. Cheers......John P. S. Hey Doc, if you read this far...thanks for the article link, but I think you are reading the market wrong on wave...! Good luck with your other stocks and hope you decide to stick a piece of wave into that longggggg portfolio. Also, read Bill Gate's book, "The Road Ahead". You will see a great deal of the book addresses Micropayment predictions and what the future has in store.