Web Economy Is Growing Up
Just 10 years ago, the Internet was a balky tool used primarily by scholars and bureaucrats. Today, it’s the cornerstone of the Information Age.
New statistics compiled by the University of Texas at Austin’s Center for Research in Electronic Commerce underscore how big the “Internet Economy” has become:
* It now directly supports more than 2.47 million workers, which is more than the number employed by the federal government (excluding postal workers).
* The Internet Economy grew 62 percent last year to $523.9 billion and is on track to reach about $850 billion this year. That would be larger than either the auto and truck ($728 billion) or life insurance ($724 billion) industries.
* Internet Economy companies generated almost one of every five dollars in revenue from the Internet.
The Net-based economy could get another shot in the arm this week as cybermerchants ring up Father’s Day purchases and surfers send greetings.
Here are a few Web sites with special promotions or other features tied to Father’s Day:
* Picture this: Regards.com, whose goal is to “revolutionize the art of sending greetings,” boasts several features designed to dazzle dad.
You can attach movie clips to your greeting, e-mail an interactive game of basketball that you both can play, even have a caricature drawn from his photograph. The latter can take up to 72 hours, but it’s free.
http://www.regards.com
* Time out: Time with family topped the list for the ideal way to spend Father’s Day, according to a poll sponsored by WishClick, which bills itself as “the leading online personal gift service.”
While you can’t buy that on the Internet, WishClick can facilitate several other options high on dads’ wish list, including dinners out, tickets to sporting events or other “romantic” or “traditional” gifts.
http://www.wishclick.com
* Just the facts: What fruit cakes are to Christmas, neckties are to Father’s Day.
For a whimsical look at America’s favorite Father’s Day gift, check out infoplease.com. You’ll also find a collection of in-depth news features, family statistics and a special gift guide. There’s also information on issues of concern to fathers, such as custody battles and day care.
http://www.infoplease.com