Monthly column that appears in several auto newsletters monthly.

January 1996
A hale and hearty hello from the outer fringes of cyberspace. We are all back from the wars of the annual Turkey Run and as usual, it was a happening! I really appreciate the response we had to the Internet presentation we had set up in the O.F.C.C. tent. Between Dennis, (the head old fart ) and the guys from Good Guys, it was an interesting weekend. We met many new friends and enjoyed talking right up till I lost my voice. I was surprised at the number of car nuts who are already on the Internet and aware of what is happening and the phenomenal growth that is happpening as we speak.
One of the really novel things that I was able to enjoy this time was the fact that I walked around the Speedway and took many pictures of the 4800 cars on display. The only difference was that I didn't have any film in the camera! Thankfully, this time I didn't need film because the camera was completely digital and had no film. I didn't have to wait for developers to process the film. I just transfered the pictures over into the computer, cleared the camera and walked back out and started taking pictures all over again.
The camera was an Apple Quicktake that costs about $700, and is currently about the most reasonable digital camera on the market. There are several models and makes of pure digital camera, and the most expensive can cost upwards to almost $40,000. The more expensive models are used in photographic quality and prepress production. I use most of my pictures for reproduction on the Internet so the lowest priced models is great because its output is better than most television can display.
I use Macintosh computers and equipment exclusively and had my full size computer in the tent for the display presentation.I had no problems other than people tripping over extension cords and instantly shutting me down in the middle of a presentation. The only other problem was that I borrowed some sound speakers and placed one of them too close to the monitor and the magnetism caused the colors to go nuts on one side of the screen. Fortunately a friend came by and said, "Hey, Dummy, move dat speaker and the picture will clear up, jeez!" Guess what, he was right. I thought my monitor was gone. Big time computer guy, uh?
Terry Bender of Kissimmee, FL became our very first classified user on the Internet. I didn't tell him that because I wanted his decision to be on the merits on the value and not on the fact of being the first person. He is now on the Internet available to a quickly growing number of users and specifically, members of the automotive hobby. I applaud his decision, not just because of the benefits that I will derive, but the fact that he realized that he can reach a large number of people at a very low fee. Add to that the fact the his neat little truck is in full color and the response can be immediate. No waiting for the magazine to come out. just boom, there it is. Thanks, Terry
If you would like to put your vehicle on the Internet, give me a call and I will put it there till it sells or 3 mos. whichever comes first. Besides, it is a kick to see your car on tellybision
I read in USA Today (12/14/95) that it is predicted that 3 years from now, 25% of the new cars sold in the United States will be sold on the Internet. Even I find that hard to believe, but when you think of the bargaining power of the Internet, I believe it is possible.
If I buy something for my computer, I do not go to the local computer store. I pick up the phone and if I call before midnight, I can have a product delivered to my door by 11:00 the next morning. I pay by credit card. Quick and easy, down and dirty!
People worry about credit card security on the Internet. I believe you stand more of a chance of credit card fraud by handing your card to a waiter or waitress and having it disappear for 20 minutes, than you ever would on the Internet.