Will Skype and eBay Change eCommerce?
Posted by Administrator on Sep 29, 2005
Skype is a VoIP (Voice over IP or Voice over Internet Protocol) technology that uses the power of the Internet to allow callers to talk to one another through their PC’s. VoIP calls over the Internet are not new at all even though VoIP is becoming more and more mainstream.
Several years ago, I worked with a start-up Internet telephony company developing VoIP communications. We courted auto dealers, real estate agents, and other high end industries that might benefit from the technology. We had VC money and investors lined up, and analysts that said VoIP was going to explode.
Everyone forgot several things….Users needed speakers and a microphone. We thought we had it covered, we would give microphones away. The next issue that everyone missed was that even though most PC’s had a sound card, and many with speakers and a microphone, not many users had plugged them in to actually use them.
Through much beta testing and trying to work with businesses, PC to PC calling for business use failed. End users didn’t want to tweak, adjust, or mess with audio settings to make a cheap PC to PC call. On the business side, businesses didn’t want a voice call with jitter or echo.
Businesses would rather a customer make a standard voice call for the best call quality as possible.
Another area I think eBay may have missed is the power of text messaging. The great thing with text messaging is the ability to make quick bursts of communication and then you’re done. Most people don’t want to get into lengthy calls. Allowing buyers and sellers to communicate via a voice call, many sellers / buyers might feel put out by callers that want to talk at length about any particular product.
Only time will tell whether eBay’s adoption of VoIP technology will reap any major benefits for buyers and sellers. For now, I don’t see the real value as there are easier, more effective methods of communication for buyers and sellers to communicate with one another without the hassles of configuring a PC to make a call.
What are your thoughts about PC to PC calls using VoIP technology? Share your views with our visitors.
Dallas Shopping Online - Dallas Gifts
Posted by Administrator on Sep 7, 2005
It’s Here! Metroplex Directory is launching its online store for Dallas shopping, gift baskets, and more. If you are a Dallas Fort Worth business and you have a product you would like to sell online contact MetroplexDirectory today for details on how you can add your products.
In addition to providing a secure online shopping experience, MetroplexDirectory also provides feeds to various shopping engines as well as provides some search engine optimization and marketing savvy to its online store.
MetroplexDirectory shopping online is a great option for businesses that are not ready for an ecommerce web site or don’t want to be bothered with the management and maintenance of an online store.
Start your Dallas shopping experience today by browsing Dallas Gifts, gift baskets, and other products from local busineses.
Dallas Assists Hurricane Katrina Survivors
Posted by Administrator on Sep 2, 2005
The city of Dallas will open it arms to 25,000 plus residents of New Orleans that have been displaced by Hurricane Katrina. Look for additional details to follow for volunteer opportunities to assist these families.
Let’s also set the record straight. The news media keeps calling the survivors of Hurricane Katrina and families that have lost their homes “refugees�.
It is extremely insensitive to identify fellow Americans that have lost everything as “refugees�.
Boeing Workers Reject New Contract, Vote to Strike
Posted by Administrator on Sep 2, 2005
Another indicator of the real state of America.
Amidst the tragedy in the Gulf Port states, tens of thousands of Americans being displaced, and a rippling affect going through our economy, we see the selfishness of unions and union employees.
Put contract negotiations on hold for six or twelve months, but don’t add additional stress to the already fragile economy. I hope employees and union officials feel the sting of this poor decision to call for a strike in the midst of national tragedy.
Boeing Workers Reject New Contract, Vote to Strike
By VOA News
02 September 2005
Striking Boeing workers
Striking Boeing workers
Machinists for the U.S. airplane maker Boeing voted to strike Friday, after rejecting a new contract offer.
Union members voted late Thursday to authorize the strike by more than 18,000 workers who manufacture components and assemble planes.
Boeing officials expressed disappointment at the vote. In a written statement, they said they will not assemble airplanes during the strike. Earlier, Boeing officials warned a strike would be devastating to the company.
Union leaders had urged members to reject the new contract, saying it failed to meet their demands on health care and pension benefits.
Boeing managers were seeking to cut some benefit costs, which they say have risen sharply in recent years.
Boeing is currently locked in a trade dispute with its European rival Airbus over government subsidies.
Church Challenge - Hurricane Katrina Survivors
Posted by Administrator on Sep 1, 2005
Reverend Frankling Graham issued a challenge to southern churches this evening on Fox News.
If every church in the south could take in 10 families from New Orleans survivors of hurricane Katrina, we could make a huge dent in the housing needs for families that have been displaced by the recent flooding.
Reverend Graham went on to urge church leaders to challenge their denominations, and to unite for the sake of families in need.
Do you have an interest in helping New Orleans families? Contact your church, or church denomination to unite with other churches across the southern U.S. to assist in the short term housing needs of the New Orleans homeless.