L'INTERNET
The French have been slow to adopt the Internet.  This is due in part to the cautious nature of the French Government which has often cited the Internet as a tool of American cultural colonialism and the existence of Minitel.  Minitel is France's version of the Internet and was was created 15 years ago by the state controlled France Telecom SA.  Today, 35 million users regularly logon to Minitel for information and to purchase items from over 25,000 on-line vendors.   With only 3% of its citizens on the Internet and not wanting to be left behind, the government is encouraging greater acceptance and use of the Internet.  To increase the number of Internet users, the government has pledged one billion French francs (US$168 million) to wire the county for Internet access.  Minitel is doing its part by introducing new terminals that would provide access to both the Minitel network and the Internet.  Only time will tell if the French people are willing to accept the Internet and if Minitel can coexist with the Internet.  (Source:  Wall Street Journal, 3/27/98.)

BUYING A CAR VIA KIOSKS
Ira Motor Group of Danver, Massachusetts, is installing kiosks at its automobile dealerships so that customers can check the existing inventory of cars, apply for financing at one or more lending institutions and get approval all without having to deal with a sales person.  If the customer decides to purchase the car, they can print out the information to use in closing the deal at the dealership.  Each kiosk has a personal computer, touch screen monitor and printer and is attached to the dealer's network. Approximately 10% of the dealership's sales now come from the kiosks and this is expected to grow as the number of kiosks increase at each dealership.  The cost of selling a car via a kiosk is estimated to be between US$200 to US$300, compared to US$1,000 for selling the same car through a sales person.  (Source:  Internet Week, 3/2/98.)

INTERNET 2
The next generation of the Internet is up and running.  Often referred to as I2, this new network was created to provide "research users" at large universities and research facilities with a very fast and secure network that isn't bogged down by the commercial and individual traffic found on the Internet.  Funded by the federal government and the universities, I2 will be governed by no less than 7 different government agencies and 11 congressional committees.  92 of the 150 universities and research facilities are currently connected to I2.  (Sources:  PC Week, 3/2/98 and Internet Week, 3/2/98.)

WEB SITES OF THE MONTH
Looking for the perfect stock to purchase for your portfolio?  If so, you may want to use StockScreener www.stockscreener.com and Financial Web Rapid Research www.rapidresearch.com to identify the stocks that meet your needs.  The Financial Web Rapid Research screens stocks based on a questionnaire you complete.  StockScreener uses 20 different variables including the minimum and maximum amounts for the debt/equity ratios, growth rates and volatility measures.  (Source:  Wall Street Journal, 3/5/98.)
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Technology Tidbits is published monthly by Jerry Price, Eau Claire, Wisconsin
© 1998 Jerry W. Price

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