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ISSUE #8
Date: Feb 14 1999 03:49:12 GMT
From: WebWord.com Usability Newsletter <WebWord-owner@listbot.com>
Subject: WebWord.com Newsletter #8
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WebWord.com Newsletter
"Usability & the Internet"
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List Owner
John S. Rhodes
John@WebWord.com
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February 13, 1999 Newsletter #8
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Table of Contents
1. The Web for Your Company: Magic Bullet or Poison Pill?
2. Expert Interview: Usability Warrior, Keith Instone
3. What are Cookies?
4. Who Visits WebWord.com?
5. Internet Stocks
6. Losing Your Hands
7. Visiting a non-English Web site
8. Spread the Word, The WebWord :-)
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ITEM #1
A New Moving WebWord Article is now online:
http://webword.com/moving/magicbullet.html
Companies come in two flavors, those that see the Web
as a poison pill and those that see it as a magic
bullet. Poison pill companies are afraid of the Web,
and magic bullet companies embrace it. The new business
model and the new economy are defined by the dynamics
of the Internet. To reject this fact spells failure for
many companies. Of course, users are drive the economy
and usability is of central importance.
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ITEM #2
I realize that I sent off Newsletter #7 with a message
about the interview I conducted with Web usability expert
Keith Instone. However, I want to mention the interview
again because it has been *wildly* popular. It has received
over 400 page views in the last 3 days. Wow! In case you
missed it the first time, here's the URL:
<http://webword.com/interviews/instone.html>
There are several other great interviews available. The most
popular has been Danny Goodman's interview on the usability
of JavaScript <http://webword.com/interviews/goodman.html>.
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ITEM #3
I've been asked by several people about cookies. The short
answer is that they are a harmless way for Web sites to
keep track information about you. Sure, there are certainly
some privacy issues, but they are minor. Here's a pretty good introduction
for you:
<http://www.ctw.org/netfam/techtips/article/0,1124,7598,00.html>
I like the page because they have a fun Sesame Street theme,
starring, of course, Cookie Monster.
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ITEM #4
I thought I'd throw some international spice into this
newsletter. Several people have asked me who visits
WebWord.com, and where are they from. Here is a list, in
order from greatest to least accesses by country:
1. Japan
2. UK
3. Canada
4. Netherlands
5. Denmark
6. Mexico
7. Australia
8. Germany
9. New Zealand
10. Spain
11. Finland
12. Sweden
13. Malaysia
14. France
15. Brazil
16. Latvia
17. Belgium
I have tried to visit sites in these countries, particularly
Japan, but have largely been unsuccessful. I have also sent
e-mail to several people from these countries, without too
much success.
I'm very interested in getting WebWord.com translated (for
free). If you are interested, please let me know. I'd love
to get WebWord.com spread out over the globe. I'll give you
free exposure in this newsletter and perhaps on my site.
Thanks.
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ITEM #5
Internet Stocks
As many of you know, the price of several Internet stocks
has gone through the roof. Normally, stocks are priced based
on earnings, assets, and so forth. However, Internet stock
valuations are based on mania and enthusiasm. What does this
really mean?
No downturn can occur until the *faith* in the Web
disappears. Since "real" value means very little in these
valuations, continuous losses (e.g., Amazon still not
profitable), will not phase prices. It might be a very long
time until the mania fades. The Internet is still perceived
as a cooler, better, faster, than almost anything else. The
Internet is also the epitome of techno-way-cool thinking.
Also, it couldn't have come at a better time -- think year
2000. Internet stocks are here to stay. With mergers occurring,
these companies are getting support from the corporate giants
that have been around for a while. This adds stability and
credibility to these companies. The market is hot, and it is
likely to stay that way for some time. However, I'd venture
that when they fail, it will be catastrophic for some of
them. Faith drops faster than the value of most real assets.
Should you buy stock in Internet companies? I haven't a clue.
I wouldn't offer my advice even if I had it. I just wanted
to get you thinking about stocks and Internet mania.
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ITEM #6
Losing your hands!
Do your hands ache? Is that wrist bothering you? Are you
having trouble opening that bottle? Chances are, that if
you use your computer all day, you are suffering from
RSI (Repetitive Stress Injuries). To learn more about
these kinds of injuries, I am BEGGING YOU to visit these
Web sites. There is excellent information that might just
save you from losing your hands!
Computer Related Repetitive Strain Injuries
<http://engr-www.unl.edu/ee/eeshop/rsi.html>
Typing Injury FAQ
<http://www.tifaq.com/>
Also, in a few weeks, I'll be interviewing Scott Wright. He
is the Webmaster and caretaker of the Typing Injury FAQ
(listed above).
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ITEM #7
Visiting a Non-English Web Site
If you have never visited a non-English Web site, why
not give it a try. This is a good exercise because, unless
you know the language, you will forced to view the site
by its navigation, icons, layout, and colors. It is very
difficult to derive meaning from these sites based on
the language. If you want a feel for what non-language
things work and what don't, this is a great way to start.
Give it a try!
Here are some example sites:
http://www.gmx.de/
http://www.jmk.su.se/
http://www.ispa.be/
http://frikomail.onet.pl/friko/
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ITEM #8
Spread the Word, The WebWord :-)
Please do me a big favor. If you enjoy reading this
newsletter and if you enjoy WebWord.com, please tell a
friend about it. Please recommend WebWord.com on a
a discussion list, or place a link to it on a page of your
site.
Or, perhaps you could simply forward this newsletter to
a friend. Then they can decide to subscribe by going to
<http://webword.listbot.com>.
Recommending WebWord.com is easy. Simply go to
<http://webword.com/cgi-bin/birdcast.cgi>
and fill out
a few lines. It really is a snap!
This kind of support makes WebWord.com possible. Thank you,
and take care.
p.s. You can also support WebWord.com by buying books from
Amazon.com after following this link:
<http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/redirect-home/wedwordcom>
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