The really cool thing about newsgroups is that you can communicate with just about anyone about any subject. Some newsgroups are completely useless because of spam, and others are made useless by hostile users. It's quite common for a very active newsgroup to suddenly become dormant, then start up again.

The key to having a successful newsgroup is having one or more people interested in posting to newsgroup on a regular basis. A newsgroup such as alt.www.webmaster or alt.binaries.clip-art can be wonderful as there are active, interested and interesting people posting all of time. Other newsgroups just contain junk and are avoided like plague.

The thing that can destroy a newsgroup fast is spam. Man, I've watched many newsgroups go straight into toilets due to some idiots without a clue posting vile spam to newsgroup after newsgroup. It may be cool to post an ad or two when it's on-topic (check charter and FAQ first, though), but going beyond that is not acceptable.

So how does one begin using newsgroups? Well, each newsgroup has a culture all to its own, and rules for each newsgroup are different and unique. Sometimes a newsgroup is rancorous and irritable about certain subjects (alt.www.webmaster tends to be more than a little touchy, for example, about Microsoft products and spam). Others are happy and lighthearted (alt.binaries.clip-art comes to mind).

Kiki is more than just an expressive person. She publishes her own e-zine called Start-Smartz E-zine. She's also a successful business person, as well as, one of most open, generous people you'll have opportunity to meet.

She knows what it takes to make a business successful online AND offline.

I got chance to communciate with Kiki through a series of emails and put together this interesting 'conversation'. With her blessing, of course.

Her contact information precedes interview. Enjoy. RK

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Clarissa 'kiki' Frampton "YOUR" success IS my business! ICQ 115517255 http://start-smartz.com webmistress@start-smartz.com

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Ron: Thanks for taking time to share your philosophy about Internet and how it affects us. Kiki: I will be a 'Ramblin Rose' only because I like to talk to anyone who will listen to me..;)

Ron: lol That's good news for us. When did you start your journey on Internet?

Kiki: I have been on and off Internet since 1995. I have learned alot..this is just a learning process.

Ron: That's truth. Why do think Internet is so addicting?

Kiki: Because it is learning, something different and exciting and challenging every single day. Where else can you get this much interaction with as many different people? Nowhere! This is age of information. We can't seem to get enough and when our brains go on 'overload' we crave more. Ron: Yes. We do seem obsessed with Internet. Why do you think that is?

Kiki: Another name for our obsession here is "give me" or "gimme"....we are like kids in a candy store. "I want".."gimme." The Internet is our playground.. Our 'candy store.' We see opportunities and wealth in abundance...and we want it ALL! Children normally have adults with them in candy store telling them "No..you can't have that." So we were deprived as children from all that candy.. and now we are going to indulge ourselves..;) Ron: What a true analogy. What is your philosophy in regard to your own e-zine, Start-Smartz?

Kiki: My philosophy is...give it to them. That's it. One simple word to remember..GIVE. Of course, you must do it honestly and from heart. You need to enjoy giving and helping people.

My e-zine, Start-Smartz began in May 2000. I just celebrated my One Year Anniversary and it has been quite a year. My goals and ideals have changed many times over this last year. What started out as an avenue to get a list to mail my opportunities to, ended up being a full time job! I spend and average of 25-30 hours a week on SS. But I enjoy it. Ron: You obviously have some views on 'rise of e-zines' and their popularity. What do you think about them and this information overload you mentioned?

Kiki: That is why e-zines are so popular..information. The more information you pack into your e-zine better it is.

Who is your target market? The information junkie. Terri Seymour has a great e-zine..she packs hers with information for everyone. There's entrepreneurial stuff, but also humor, fun sites, sometimes kids stuff..something for everyone! Great read for a junkie!