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Technology Stocks : InfoSpace (INSP): Where GNET went! -- Ignore unavailable to you. Want to Upgrade?

To: Nilda Ovalles who wrote (2095)	3/16/1999 6:09:00 PM
From: Hawkmoon	Read Replies (1) \| Respond to of 28311

but if I travel in time and put myself in the 1920 I see a wonderful new tool, which didn't exist before and which cut distances and time by allowing me to deliver and hear a message almost instantaneously to where the signal could be heard. the scope of what I (and millions of others) could do with that new life style basically changed the world and my view of it No doubt it was a significant leap forward, and much of the hype was heightened by the prospect of TV coming just around the corner. But it still wasn't interactive. The broadcasters could sell advertising between their regular programming as they continue to do, but they had no way of actually enticing someone to get on the phone and make a purchase until the advent of home shopping networks. But even with home shopping, you as the customer have to sit there like a vegatable with no life viewing hundreds of products you don't want until you see something that catches your eye. All this is happening while your missing reruns of Seinfeld or Days of our lives. But now, you use broadband capability to bring on-demand video streams into your home that detail a particular product. You watch programs when you want based upon your schedule, not the broadcasters. You use your set-top box (and as PA well knows, that is where the internet is heading) with its IP telephony application to call relatives (and possibly use videophone technology via IP to boot). You shop online from global manufacturers rather than being forced to shop at Sears or some other brick and mortar establishment. (Alternate scenario, online manufacturers/vendor have centrally located distribution outlets where you can pick up your orders on a drive-through basis when they arrive). And companies that establish an early E-commerce presence and brand name will receive the bulk of attention from the many nations who have yet to establish E-commerce capability. Those who are first will find a global market facilitated by overnight/3-day delivery logistics and credit/debit cards. The downside may be the lack of personal interaction "flesh to flesh" between humans as TV screens and computer monitors become the accepted manner of interaction. Heck, several branches of my local bank have already gone to video screens so you can't see the teller until they pop up on the monitor. Very impersonal. On the upside, you get to interact and meet with people you may never have had the chance to meet before (like we're doing now.). Regards, Ron