I guess it is one of mysteries of Internet Marketing that needs to be quickly solved.

Many fine web hosts are losing their respect daily, due to giant pop-ups. They are probably losing valuable clients as well. No amount of commission that is received from sponsors of giant pop-ups can possibly compensate for this irreparable loss.

What is solution to this problem?

Place conditions on use of pop-ups.

* pop-ups must only be a maximum of 5" X 5" in size

* pop-ups must offer an immediate promotion

* pop-ups must NOT contain a link to another site

* pop-ups must load in a corner of a webpage

It is important to immediately deal with this issue, because many websites might be losing a considerable portion of their "respectable" clientele.

Also, little pop-ups might end of getting thrown out one day due to a possible overall ban on ALL pop-ups. This would not be a good thing, since little pop-ups are super promoters.

When it comes to pop-ups, say "Yes" to little ones, but "No" to giant ones.

Polly Hummingbird hosts an Internet course on how to "Write An Amazing Bestseller". http://humming.gq.nu/waabp.html Contact: mailto:PollyHummingbird@humming.gq.nu

Diagnostic Tools

Here's a closely related subject. Running a "diagnostic" on your site (after upload) will tell you how long it takes to run at various modem speeds, how compatible it is with older browsers, how to improve problem areas, identify busted links, etc.

Link Alarm - Website that emails you reports http://www.linkalarm.com/

Link Sleuth - Software you download and run http://home.snafu.de ilman/xenulink.html

Web Site Garage http://www.websitegarage.com

Scripts

Okay, you're finding you want to do things that HTML just doesn't handle. In a nutshell, if website sends it to user, that's HTML. If user sends it to website, that's CGI.

But do you really want to learn yet another new language? Of course not. It's already been done thousands of times. You want to go pick up some free code, perhaps learn just enough to plug it in and make it work. Here's what you need to know about scripts, then.

http://www.merrymonk.com/cgi-shl/s.pl?index-419

This book will tell you everything you need to know about how to install a CGI script, modify it, or even write your own if you feel like it. It's loaded with many free samples, and it tells you all places to get thousands more. It's a resource you'll refer to over and over again, and it'll pay for itself first time you use it.

Before you actually go out and BUY it, though, download free sample I'm giving away. Then you'll know what CGI is and if you can use it. If you can use it, and I believe you can, this is best book I've read on subject. Easy to read and understand, loaded with useful stuff.

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/michaellarocca/files is where you can get that free sample. It's called sample.pdf.

Software and Graphics

Okay, I have no doubt that you want pictures and buttons and all those bells and whistles. I won't even try to keep list up to date on free artwork. Just pop into any search engine and type "free clipart" or "free backgrounds" or "free wallpaper" and prepare to be hammered.

By way, if you're on a website somewhere and you see an uncopyrighted graphic you like, you can always right-click it and "Save Target As" and take it home with you.

But remember, every graphic takes time to load on user's end. Try to keep file sizes as small as you can manage. This is where "optimization" comes in handy. Or perhaps you want to do a little graphics creation of your own. For these particular tasks, I recommend links below.

DeWitt Industries Interactive Web Site http://www.dewittindustries.com

EarthStation1 Shareware and Freeware http://earthstation1.simplenet.com/software.html

Graphics Optimization http://www.xat.com

Mediabuilder http://www.mediabuilder.com

My Imager http://www.myimager.com/

Scream Design http://www.screamdesign.com