Get the Most out of the Internet

October 5, 1999

American Express Blue presents Aliza Sherman, author and founder of Cybergrrl, Inc. who discusses the internet, computers, websites, and email.

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American Express: Welcome to the first of an ongoing series of Blue from American Express chats! Tonight's chat will help newcomers (and old pros, too) get more out of the online experience. You can ask as many questions as you like, but please keep them on topic. Our special chat host is Aliza Sherman, author and the founder of Cybergrrl, Inc. Welcome! How can we help you "Get the Most out of the Internet"?

Aliza Sherman: I'm here in New York with my chihuahuas at the computer as usual.

Sharla Says: What are some things on the Web that could save me time or help me do something useful?

Aliza Sherman: Funny you should ask! I just gave a speech last week called "Cool Web Tools" such as mrwakeup.com, where you enter your phone number, the time you want a wakeup or reminder call, and voila! Your phone will ring! Never late for a meeting again! Or efax.com, where they give you a free fax number and you can give it out, then people can fax you, but the fax comes to you in your email. And yes, I did say, it's totally FREE! Then there's stamps.com for those who hate to run to the post office, where you can turn your computer, laser printer, and labels into a postage machine--but you DO have to pay for the postage, but the software is free. And alexa.com. Their free software adds a window to your browser which lets you rate the sites you visit, and then tells you other sites that are just like it, to save you time finding things. I could go on forever, but let me just tell you one more, which I LOVE! It's gator.com which gives you free software which will remember every single password for every single website or service you belong to, and will remember how you like to fill out registration forms so you don't have to fill them out over and over and over again. It's secure, private, and saves you LOTS of time and typing.

Bascom Says: What are some of the search engines you recommend and why?

Aliza Sherman: I'll tell you the secret of cybergrrl searching. I first go to Yahoo.com, and I like it because it's categorized and alphabetized. But it doesn't always have what I need, so I cast a wide net with altavista.com. I'll end up then with tens of thousands of results maybe, but usually the best ones are on the first page or two.I also like go.com, which used to be infoseek.com, because it's a combination search engine (which means computers and software gather and organize the links) and also an edited directory like yahoo, with real human beings picking and reviewing sites. If you are looking for women-only sites, like for women's issues, health, or for girls, there's femina.com, and for good articles, how-to's, and other behind the scenes tips, go to searchengine.com.

FintanMalone Says: A lot of sites have forms they want me to fill out to register and they ask a lot of questions. What do they want and how can I keep them from bugging me or selling my information?

Aliza Sherman: Companies usually want this information for one main reason: marketing research and data. They want to know who you are, to better understand how to sell to you. Sometimes, however, it does feel like an invasion of privacy. I would recommend you set up a special email account using free web-based email, like hotmail.com or eudoramail.com, and use this when you register anywhere. I would then suggest being honest when you fill out the forms, do so only if you know the company, or have read the privacy policy of the company. Most reputable websites have a privacy policy if they are asking for information. It will tell you what they will or will not do with your information. For example, cybergrrl.com will never give out or sell any information we retrieve, but we DO tally how many are teens, in their 20s, how many are college graduates, etc. We use this to better serve our audience, and to let advertisers who come to us know. You can trust us!

RobYnne Says: What are portal sites and what do they offer me that is worth checking out?

Aliza Sherman: A portal is just a fancy name that a search engine gave themselves (and other sites are now calling themselves) that they are the gateway to everything you could ever want. They will offer you possibly free email, forums, chat, the weather, stock quotes, maps, and driving directions, news headlines, and on and on and on. Whatever they think will keep you at their site and get you to depend on them. Now there are things such as health portals, where all the features are more health-oriented, or travel portals, or parenting portals. They will come up with a new buzzword soon, when everyone starts rolling their eyes when they hear of another portal. But they are trying to be helpful to you, so they are worth checking out.

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