3 - Social, Political, Cultural:

The Internet is not only for business. Already you find such things as cancer support groups, art shows, concerts, voting. Many organs that are now in development, will be just as important, and perhaps more important than business organ.

* The Internet is alive! A network for learning.

THE GLOBAL SOCIETY Not only is Internet a living organism, it is a living society comprised of living people. People on Internet form networks to make choices and to learn.

1 - People Network

The Internet is not merely a living creature. It's a living society. Every aspect of its life is caused by people, not machines. The machines are there only to enhance relationships among people. Don't be distracted by robots. All of them are servants of people.

The Internet is not a highway for information, but a network for flow of ideas, for learning. Everything is mental, not physical. Everything happens fast, because communication is instantaneous.

2 - Chaotic Idea Flow

Ideas flow through Internet in unpredictable ways. Very unlike TV. On TV, advertiser does not bother with ideas. He sends "information" one way - direct to you. On Internet, all people may partake in flow of ideas. As a result ideas on Internet may:

BRUSH - One idea doesn't meet another idea, but brushes it slightly. They may warm each other as a result. Sometimes brush enhances further development of one of ideas.

MERGE - Two ideas, when brought together produce a bigger, richer idea. They feed on each other and mushroom into something better

COLLIDE - Ideas may come from opposite directions and bang into each other to produce sparks. The sparks may lead to brilliant breakthroughs.

Brush, merge, collide. These are only suggestions of possibilities. Serendipity occurs in all places and at all times, making possibilities infinite. I visit a site and like its format. I copy it with a little modification, as my own. Someone else visits my site and makes further changes for her purpose. I send email to a colleague making a suggestion; he modifies it and uses it for a very different purpose. It's as though you're part of a never-ending brainstorming session.

3 - Personal Choice

People are individuals on Internet. They are autonomous. They make choices. Something they can not do when watching TV. On Internet a person may:

ACT - Initiate any type of action: go to any site, start his own site, send a message to anyone. On TV, only advertiser may ACT

REACT - Respond to another's action: buy something, reply to a message. REACT is all a TV watcher can do

INTERACT - Be part of a to-and-fro exchange: a dialogue, a discussion, a transaction. This is one of most important characteristics of Internet, one that gives it power

Act, react, interact. They represent various aspects of power of a person to be an individual. The Internet, unlike TV, awards each person with gift of autonomy. And each person uses it. Each person has choice. The consumer, unlike consumer of Industrial Society, has power.

* The Internet is alive! It places power in people.

Conversely, unmoderated boards exist for advertising purposes. If you don't mind all of posting, this could be place for you.

What you'll find could be a place for you to test ads. But understand that you will probably not get too much attention. It seems that marketers who use these forums won't necessarily be reading your ad. They are there to post their ads. Here are just a scant few message or discussion boards that you can visit:

http://www.mlmwoman.com/wwwboard/ http://www.talkbiz.com/cgi-bin/mlm.cgi http://www.freemoneyservices.com/forums/UltraBoard.cgi http://www.mlmforums.com/cgi-bin/Ultimate.cgi?action=intro http://www.mlm.com click on "Forum" http://start-smartz.com/cgi-bin/index.cgi "Kiki's Cafe"

As a reminder: You may want to do some business with some of people on these boards someday so follow those guidelines. Don't forget that THEY might want to do business with you, too.

Usually, people who post on these forums are friendly and willing to lend a hand, in regard to sharing advice or information.

For example, if you are an ezine publisher and would like to find out how to sell or buy an ezine, go to your favorite board, post question, and check in a couple times a day for a few days and see if there are any responses.

Don't be surprised when you log into your email box one day and find a response or two to a post you might have made night before. It happens!

Message boards, discussion forums, whatever you choose to call them can be a great source of exposure for you and your business. They can also be valuable in building camaraderie and relationships. Not to mention, they are an excellent resource for obtaining up to date information, tips and insight.

Inject your own personality into your posts. Above all, go with flow and just have a good time.