A family links up, but united we fall

Article Abstract:

Family online mailing lists are inexpensive and user-friendly tools that enable members to keep in touch with one another. This increasingly popular alternative differs from E-mail by allowing all targeted relatives to share the same message. Mailing lists have been in use since at least 1965, but a complex technical structure has mostly limited the offering to large corporations and academic institutions. A small group of companies, including Maryland-based L Soft, are now offering to act as mailing-list hosts for a wider range of users. Monthly fees will cover server operation, security and archive list storage. Users can update the list in seconds by selecting a Web page's pull-down menus. Installation of family mailing lists can take less than an hour and cost less than $35.

Specialized Telecom Services, Wired Telecommunications Carriers, Telecommunications systems, Internet/Web technology, Chat rooms, Chat room/discussion group

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How to spend an allowance without leaving home; sites aim to turn the littlest consumer into an eager on-line shopper

Article Abstract:

The Web sites icanbuy.com, doughnet.com, and rocketcash.com allow parents to use their credit card to set up a spending fund for a child. The child can then use the money to buy things from affiliated retail sites or, in some cases, make donations to charities. Icanbuy also allows kids to make deposits to a savings account. Most experts agree kids will still hang out at the mall with their peers. Some parents see these sites as helpful in teaching children to save for a larger purchase like a sweater, instead of frittering away allowance on candy. Jupiter Communications estimates the 5 to 18 year consumer demographic will be spending $1.3 bil on line by 2002.

United States, On-Line Information Services, Marketing procedures, Videotex & Teletext, Marketing, Online services, Internet/Web overview, Point of sale systems, Retail point-of-sale software

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