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{{IBM-Reprint}}
By [[Van Landrum]]  
By [[Van Landrum]]  
----
----
'''''In Van Landrum's latest Road Trip, he provides us an alternative to the crush of holiday  
'''''In Van Landrum's latest Road Trip, he provides us an alternative to the crush of holiday crowds - shopping on the Internet. Settle into your easy chair, grab your mouse, and display your fondest gift selections.'''''  
crowds--shopping on the Internet. Settle into your easy chair, grab your mouse, and display  
your fondest gift selections.'''''  
----
----


It's November, and it's time to think about what to get Aunt Millie and the rest of the extended  
It's November, and it's time to think about what to get Aunt Millie and the rest of the extended family for the holidays. But if you're like me, your time is constrained and you just can't seem to face the crowded malls. So let's jump into the WebExplorer for a road trip to the mall on the Internet.
family for the holidays. But if you're like me, your time is constrained and you just can't seem to  
face the crowded malls. So let's jump into the WebExplorer for a road trip to the mall on the  
Internet.


Shopping on the Internet has received a lot of press lately, both good and bad. Much has been  
Shopping on the Internet has received a lot of press lately, both good and bad. Much has been said about security issues and whether or not shopping on the "net" will survive. A lot of work is being done now to find ways to make it safe to use your credit card on the Internet. While you wait for these security issues to be resolved, shop for what you want on the Internet, then order by phone. You should, however, know something about the company before placing your order.
said about security issues and whether or not shopping on the "net" will survive. A lot of work is  
being done now to find ways to make it safe to use your credit card on the Internet. While you  
wait for these security issues to be resolved, shop for what you want on the Internet, then order  
by phone. You should, however, know something about the company before placing your order.


Let's look at a few of the World-Wide Web (WWW) shopping sites available today.
Let's look at a few of the World-Wide Web (WWW) shopping sites available today.


'''Branch Mall''' at [[http://cybershoppe.com/]] has good variety in its retail selection.  
'''Branch Mall''' at [http://cybershoppe.com/] has good variety in its retail selection. Categories offered include flowers and plants, food, books and magazines, music and videos, cosmetics, and home products. An education section offers toys, books, and other products for  
Categories offered include flowers and plants, food, books and magazines, music and videos,  
cosmetics, and home products. An education section offers toys, books, and other products for  
sale, all designed to bring science to life.
sale, all designed to bring science to life.


In Branch Mall's "hobbies, toys, and novelties" section you will find the Santa Letter. On this  
In Branch Mall's "hobbies, toys, and novelties" section you will find the Santa Letter. On this page, you can fax or mail a letter with a North Pole postmark from Santa to a child (or adult) on your Christmas list.
page, you can fax or mail a letter with a North Pole postmark from Santa to a child (or adult) on  
your Christmas list.


For the adults on your list, a two-bottle package of Forest Hill Chardonnay might be the perfect  
For the adults on your list, a two-bottle package of Forest Hill Chardonnay might be the perfect gift. Forest Hill is produced in the Napa valley by vintners David and Kathy Manace and was featured in the April issue of ''Smart Money'' and the ''Wall Street Journal Magazine of Personal Business''. Check out the wine selections at [http://cybershoppe.com/wine/wine.html].
gift. Forest Hill is produced in the Napa valley by vintners David and Kathy Manace and was  
featured in the April issue of ''Smart Money'' and the ''Wall Street Journal Magazine of Personal  
Business''. Check out the wine selections at  
[[http://cybershoppe.com/wine/wine.html]].


For your cyberspace friends, you might choose the Cyberspace Navigator hat--a black baseball  
For your cyberspace friends, you might choose the Cyberspace Navigator hat - a black baseball cap with a five-color logo embroidered on the front ([http://cybershoppe.com/cybernav/cybernav.html]).
cap with a five-color logo embroidered on the front  
([[http://cybershoppe.com/cybernav/cybernav.html]]).


'''The Internet Shopping Network''' (ISN) at [[http://shop.internet.net]] was bought by  
'''The Internet Shopping Network''' (ISN) at [http://shop.internet.net] was bought by the Home Shopping Network in September 1994. The products are primarily technology items, but a wider variety of choices (home and office, flowers, specialty stores, gourmet foods) is being  
the Home Shopping Network in September 1994. The products are primarily technology items,  
added. You must first be a member of ISN to buy from them. Membership, however, is free and only a phone call away.
but a wider variety of choices (home and office, flowers, specialty stores, gourmet foods) is being  
added. You must first be a member of ISN to buy from them. Membership, however, is free and  
only a phone call away.


'''Hammacher Schlemmer''' (see Figure 1) offers many unique products through ISN, including  
'''Hammacher Schlemmer''' (see Figure 1) offers many unique products through ISN, including items for the home, travel, and collectibles. They offer a nice layout, effective graphics, and extensive product descriptions.
items for the home, travel, and collectibles. They offer a nice layout, effective graphics, and  
extensive product descriptions.


[[Image:shop1.gif]]
[[Image:shop1.gif]]
Line 52: Line 30:
'''Figure 1. Hammacher Schlemmer on the Internet'''
'''Figure 1. Hammacher Schlemmer on the Internet'''
   
   
'''Spiegel''' has a Web site called "dotSpeigel" at [[http://www.spiegel.com/spiegel/]]. This  
'''Spiegel''' has a Web site called "dotSpeigel" at [http://www.spiegel.com/spiegel/]. This high-tech, trendy site uses the latest hypertext markup language (HTML) technology. While Spiegel's site doesn't offer a lot of products online, there are some interesting articles. In fact, they call their site a "'magalog' - a 21st century, interactive magazine where you can get great ideas on fashion, entertaining, and home decorating; give us immediate feedback and tips about how we can serve you better; and buy everything you can see (with online ordering coming soon)."
high tech, trendy site uses the latest hypertext markup language (HTML) technology. While  
Spiegel's site doesn't offer a lot of products online, there are some interesting articles. In fact, they  
call their site a "'magalog'--a 21st century, interactive magazine where you can get great ideas on  
fashion, entertaining, and home decorating; give us immediate feedback and tips about how we  
can serve you better; and buy everything you can see ( with online ordering coming soon)."


'''The Sharper Image''' (see Figure 2) has an online catalog at  
'''The Sharper Image''' (see Figure 2) has an online catalog at [http://www.sharperimage.com/tsi/] that is also quite trendy. Their product  
[[http://www.sharperimage.com/tsi/]] that is also quite trendy. Their product  
categories include automotive, electronics and gadgets, great gifts, health and massage, home and safety, outdoor and garden, and travel and luggage. Good graphics, complete product descriptions, and a secure ordering system make shopping at the Sharper Image easy.
categories include automotive, electronics and gadgets, great gifts, health and massage, home and  
safety, outdoor and garden, and travel and luggage. Good graphics, complete product  
descriptions, and a secure ordering system make shopping at the Sharper Image easy.


[[Image:shop2.gif]]
[[Image:shop2.gif]]
Line 69: Line 39:
'''Figure 2. Sharper Image on the Internet'''
'''Figure 2. Sharper Image on the Internet'''
   
   
'''Eddie Bauer''' is at  
'''Eddie Bauer''' is at [http://pathfinder.com/@@VJLMCGGBhgAAQIlU/DreamShop/live/shops.map?101,76] Whew! I know it is a long address, but try it out anyway to access the fine products Eddie Bauer has to offer. Eddie Bauer provides nice color photos of its products and complete  
[[http://pathfinder.com/@@VJLMCGGBhgAAQIlU/DreamShop/live/shops.map?101,76]] Whew! I know it is a long address, but try it out anyway to access the fine products  
Eddie Bauer has to offer. Eddie Bauer provides nice color photos of its products and complete  
descriptions. To order, call their 800 number.
descriptions. To order, call their 800 number.


'''MecklerWeb''' has an Internet Mall at [[http://www.mecklerweb.com/]]. As of this writing,  
'''MecklerWeb''' has an Internet Mall at [http://www.mecklerweb.com/]. As of this writing, there were 3,281 companies listed in the Internet Mall. Unlike the other malls, these are listings of other WWW sites. If you have a particular company in mind, you can look them up at this Web site to see if they are on the Web.
there were 3,281 companies listed in the Internet Mall. Unlike the other malls, these are listings of  
other WWW sites. If you have a particular company in mind, you can look them up at this Web  
site to see if they are on the Web.


These are just a few of the retail malls you can access via the Web. Search MecklerWeb to find  
These are just a few of the retail malls you can access via the Web. Search MecklerWeb to find more online stores or use the WebCrawler at [[http://webcrawler.com]] to search the Web for your favorite store. By "Web-shopping" online you can find gift ideas or purchase gifts, and  
more online stores or use the WebCrawler at [[http://webcrawler.com]] to search the Web  
then have the gifts sent to your friends and relatives. After shopping the "net," you can go to your local mall to listen to the music, watch the shoppers, and enjoy the atmosphere - knowing your holiday shopping is done!
for your favorite store. By "Web-shopping" online you can find gift ideas or purchase gifts, and  
then have the gifts sent to your friends and relatives. After shopping the "net," you can go to your  
local mall to listen to the music, watch the shoppers, and enjoy the atmosphere--knowing your  
holiday shopping is done!


[[Category:Personal Systems Magazine]]
[[Category:Personal Systems Magazine]]

Latest revision as of 21:57, 11 November 2022

Reprint Courtesy of International Business Machines Corporation, © International Business Machines Corporation

By Van Landrum


In Van Landrum's latest Road Trip, he provides us an alternative to the crush of holiday crowds - shopping on the Internet. Settle into your easy chair, grab your mouse, and display your fondest gift selections.


It's November, and it's time to think about what to get Aunt Millie and the rest of the extended family for the holidays. But if you're like me, your time is constrained and you just can't seem to face the crowded malls. So let's jump into the WebExplorer for a road trip to the mall on the Internet.

Shopping on the Internet has received a lot of press lately, both good and bad. Much has been said about security issues and whether or not shopping on the "net" will survive. A lot of work is being done now to find ways to make it safe to use your credit card on the Internet. While you wait for these security issues to be resolved, shop for what you want on the Internet, then order by phone. You should, however, know something about the company before placing your order.

Let's look at a few of the World-Wide Web (WWW) shopping sites available today.

Branch Mall at [1] has good variety in its retail selection. Categories offered include flowers and plants, food, books and magazines, music and videos, cosmetics, and home products. An education section offers toys, books, and other products for sale, all designed to bring science to life.

In Branch Mall's "hobbies, toys, and novelties" section you will find the Santa Letter. On this page, you can fax or mail a letter with a North Pole postmark from Santa to a child (or adult) on your Christmas list.

For the adults on your list, a two-bottle package of Forest Hill Chardonnay might be the perfect gift. Forest Hill is produced in the Napa valley by vintners David and Kathy Manace and was featured in the April issue of Smart Money and the Wall Street Journal Magazine of Personal Business. Check out the wine selections at [2].

For your cyberspace friends, you might choose the Cyberspace Navigator hat - a black baseball cap with a five-color logo embroidered on the front ([3]).

The Internet Shopping Network (ISN) at [4] was bought by the Home Shopping Network in September 1994. The products are primarily technology items, but a wider variety of choices (home and office, flowers, specialty stores, gourmet foods) is being added. You must first be a member of ISN to buy from them. Membership, however, is free and only a phone call away.

Hammacher Schlemmer (see Figure 1) offers many unique products through ISN, including items for the home, travel, and collectibles. They offer a nice layout, effective graphics, and extensive product descriptions.

Figure 1. Hammacher Schlemmer on the Internet

Spiegel has a Web site called "dotSpeigel" at [5]. This high-tech, trendy site uses the latest hypertext markup language (HTML) technology. While Spiegel's site doesn't offer a lot of products online, there are some interesting articles. In fact, they call their site a "'magalog' - a 21st century, interactive magazine where you can get great ideas on fashion, entertaining, and home decorating; give us immediate feedback and tips about how we can serve you better; and buy everything you can see (with online ordering coming soon)."

The Sharper Image (see Figure 2) has an online catalog at [6] that is also quite trendy. Their product categories include automotive, electronics and gadgets, great gifts, health and massage, home and safety, outdoor and garden, and travel and luggage. Good graphics, complete product descriptions, and a secure ordering system make shopping at the Sharper Image easy.

Figure 2. Sharper Image on the Internet

Eddie Bauer is at [7] Whew! I know it is a long address, but try it out anyway to access the fine products Eddie Bauer has to offer. Eddie Bauer provides nice color photos of its products and complete descriptions. To order, call their 800 number.

MecklerWeb has an Internet Mall at [8]. As of this writing, there were 3,281 companies listed in the Internet Mall. Unlike the other malls, these are listings of other WWW sites. If you have a particular company in mind, you can look them up at this Web site to see if they are on the Web.

These are just a few of the retail malls you can access via the Web. Search MecklerWeb to find more online stores or use the WebCrawler at [[9]] to search the Web for your favorite store. By "Web-shopping" online you can find gift ideas or purchase gifts, and then have the gifts sent to your friends and relatives. After shopping the "net," you can go to your local mall to listen to the music, watch the shoppers, and enjoy the atmosphere - knowing your holiday shopping is done!