Hearthlist Digest #320 - Wednesday, July 14, 1999
 
Internet News
  by "Craig Issod" <[email protected]>
 

(back)
Subject: Internet News
From: Craig Issod <[email protected]>
Date: Wed, 14 Jul 1999 15:30:33 -0400
 
Not many posts lately, so I'll share some internet news with our readers....
 
The one thing that's not overhyped?
 
The internet is growing beyond almost all expectations. It's truly amazing
that many people still don't understand the impact this is having (and will
have) on our businesses and on ourselves as both consumers and members of
society.
 
It truly represents a shift every bit as dramatic as those created by the
car, TV, radio, train and other such "revolutions". In fact, you could say
it combines all of these along with new possibilities of democratic
possibilities.
 
No one can argue that this is a "niche" thing anymore. Take the following
snipets of recent news articles:
 
1. More car shoppers using the Internet, study shows
 
"Forty percent of consumers who recently bought a car or truck used the
Internet to help them shop, up from 25 percent a year ago, according to
initial results of a J.D. Power and Associates survey."
 
2. Nielsen NetRatings says Web audience growing
 
"Nielsen/NetRatings said the size of the home Internet audience was about
105.3 million in June, vs.101 million in May and 95.8 million in April."
 
end quotes..
 
Using some common sense, if 40 percent of car buyers are looking for car
information online, what do you think the percentage might be looking for
stoves and fireplaces on the net?
 
Sort of gives you some idea of what Andy Grove (founder of Intel) means
when he states that in five years ALL businesses will be internet
businesses (or non-existent).
 
The Apple of my eye....
 
As most list members know, I'm an apple computer user...have about 5 Macs
at present..and a Windows Machine which sits idle on the neighboring desk...
 
In the past, we've had some heated discussions on the future of Apple and
Mac computers. Some list members argued that Apple was history and would
not last out the year.
 
As an Apple stockholder and user, I'm happy to report that my esteemed
comrades were mistaken. Apple stock has just hit a 4 year high, and I'm
dreading paying the capital gains tax on my "winnings" if I sell.
Meanwhile, the stock is still getting a "buy" recomendation from many major
brokerages. They sold over a million iMacs in the past year, and are poised
to introduce many other breakthrough products in the next few months. With
the lowest P/E of any major Computer/Internet/Software company, I'm hoping
the stock still has a long way to go...
 
Strange Pellet Stove
 
A HearthNet reader faxed a line drawing of a Pellet Stove that he cannot
identify. It is strange looking, I'd say it looks somewhat like a
toilet.....he states it may say something like Brentwood or Lukus/Luxus on
it. Two small panes of glass in the front, rounded design - pipe out the
rear.
 
Any Guesses or leads?