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METAFORIX MAIL Volume 1, Issue 26 January 23, 2001 What do
you get when you combine a jet-lagged East Coaster on West Coast time,
a glacially slow Internet connection, and a dinosaur laptop? A "streamlined"
edition of Metaforix Mail, that's what! We'll return to our usual format
next week. Thanks for reading. CONTENTS AT A GLANCE: ON MY MIND: Shopping
ON MY MIND [From the Editor] Souvenirs The upside of that jet lag I mentioned is a business-plus-pleasure week in the San Diego area. The scenery is breathtaking, the weather lives up to my most demanding cool and breezy standards, and I have a great excuse to indulge my fondness for shopping.Yesterday, I visited an irresistable gallery, La Jolla Fiber Arts. I love textures, accessories, any kind of "wearable art." So I was in seventh heaven as I browsed through the handcrafted creations of the sixty artists whose work is represented there. Making well-practiced use of the standard excuse, distance -- "I hardly ever get to San Diego. If I don't buy one of these lovely pieces now, I'll never have another chance!" -- I gave myself permission to buy a hand-painted silk scarf. Really, I couldn't possibly leave it there. It combines all of my most flattering colors, it goes with practically everything I own, and besides, when will I get back here? As I was completing my purchase, enjoying a chat with the proprietor, the following question tumbled unbidden from my lips: "Do you have a web site?" "Yes, in fact, we do. The address is on our card. We don't sell directly from the site, but we display selected pieces and you can always order by phone." And, in fact, www.lajollafiberarts.com is a very inviting site, worthy of the gallery itself. The only problem is this: What does such ready availability do to my (and many other travellers') rationale for buying far away from home with a greater sense of freedom? And even more to the point, what does this new real-time connection mean for small businesses? In thinking about the incident and the questions it raised, I found more justification than ever for my belief that a Web presence, no matter how modest, is no longer an option. We have arrived at the point where customers ask for and expect to conduct business over the Internet -- perhaps only in small numbers, but certainly in large enough numbers that merchants are no longer surprised by the question. In a competitive marketplace, it's simply too expensive to ignore the Internet. Learning to use the Web to grow your business in a cost-effective way is an investment you should make, if you haven't already. (Metaforix, of course, is in the business of helping people do just that.) This story is a great example. You can be sure that I've bookmarked La Jolla Fiber Arts. It's the only shop in the San Diego area I'm likely to patronize from the comfort of my own home. Right now, such sales may just be gravy. But not for long. Cordially, Lois C.
Ambash, Editor IN THE MEDIA Only AARP Knows for Sure USA
Today reports on the results of a survey recently commissioned by
the newly-hip AARP. When asked, the vast majority of Americans (males
and female) profess that "It's Okay to Be Gray": 90% are satisfied with
the way they look. 60% prize "inner beauty" over physical appearance.
Only 25% of women feel it is essential to them to be physically attractive.
Two-thirds state that aging women are viewed no more negatively than aging
men.
Access previous issues of Metaforix Mail by date by visiting our archives. Or use the search box on any page of the Metaforix site (www.metaforix.com) to search by keywords. Thanks for the Hyperbole Jeff Schmidt is president of the online literary agency NY Creative Management and leader of the "Literary Agenting" community at www.iUniverse.com. In his most recent column "From the President's Desk," Jeff introduced Metaforix and showered us with very kind words of praise.We appreciate the kudos -- and we recommend Jeff's column, along with the associated cornucopia of useful links and tips on the publishing scene. To read Jeff's column, go to: http://communities.iUniverse.com
Online Dining Foodies around the nation and the world have long been familiar with the Zagat Restaurant Surveys, the compilation of consumer-generated restaurant ratings. Started over 20 years ago, Tim and Nina Zagat's New York hobby has grown into a mini publishing empire. Some 100,000 reviewers contribute detailed ratings of eateries in 45 cities and regions.Not quite two years ago, Zagat launched its own Web site. Search by location, neighborhood, cuisine, and find anything else you'd like to know about where to eat in major travel destinations -- including driving directions and the chance to voice your opinion for dessert. The text of each Zagat review is a pithy, humorous, and forthright melange of diners' comments. Separate numerical scores rate food, decor, service, and price. Whether for business or pleasure, Zagat.com is reason enough to make sure you stay wired while you're travelling. To visit this delicious site, go to: www.zagat.com
Guest Columnists and Interviewees Wanted! Metaforix Mail seeks your opinions on how information technologies are (or are not) changing your world of work.Guest columns are welcome. Contributions are subject to editing for length and clarity. If your column is accepted for publication, it will be permanently posted on the Metaforix web site, along with a link to your e-mail address or URL. As a small token of appreciation, you will also receive a $10 gift certificate toward your next purchase at Amazon.com. Alternatively, you may wish to participate in a telephone interview, which will be written up for publication in a future issue of Metaforix Mail. to be considered, please send a brief note indicating your professional perspective and the topic you would like to address. To submit a column for consideration or to be considered for an interview, e-mail editor@metaforix.com. Please note that the links contained in Metaforix Mail are current as of the time of publication. Some of them may no longer be operative at the time you access past issues. To
Volume 1, Issue 25 January 16, 2001 |
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