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Consumers across the country want to be dealt in on what some are calling the hottest trend ever to start on the web. That would be the Iraqi Most Wanted Deck of Cards, which started as a small venture from Zac Brandenberg’s JDR Media. Brandenberg began producing the decks in April, a few days after the Defense Intelligence Agency created its own card deck representing the 55 most-wanted Iraqi leaders to distribute to border guards. The kitsch appeal of the $5.95 per-pack cards was undeniable. So far JDR Media has sold 1.5 million packs through more than 1,500 online companies, making it the most successful web distributor of the cards. There are other companies selling separate versions, too, and they have sent out more than 1 million decks so far. Consider the Iraqi cards’ fad competitors: 1.5 million Pet Rocks were sold in 1976, but in about quadruple the amount of time that the Iraqi cards have sold in. But modern fads bring modern problems. Brightmail spam blocker has IDed 26.5 million Iraqi card individual spams, in 73 different variations.
Kids find spam 'uncomfortable and offensive'
Adults moan about spam, but kids may actually be the ones bearing the brunt of it. A new study from Symantec finds that 80 percent of children get unsolicited emails selling pornographic materials and quick-money schemes, making the majority of them “uncomfortable and offended.” Parents could probably intervene in this matter, but they aren’t always there when emails arrive. The survey found that more than half of the children checked their inboxes without parental supervision. Twenty percent of the kids actually open the spam. Sixty-two percent report receiving dating service spam and 47 percent have gotten messages with links to pornographic sites.
Homeland Security starts including cybersafety
The Department of Homeland Security is now officially keeping the peace on the internet. The government launched its National Cyber Security Division Friday to help improve security systems on the country’s computers. The e-department will issue virus and worm alerts and coordinate efforts to corral such mischief makers. But for now, the main task for the division will be to find a boss. After President Bush dissolved the nation’s cybersecurity board, which issued a February report on how to pump up post-9/11 cybersafety, two potential division heads have left. The White House still isn’t enforcing the suggestions made by the board, resulting in some branding its purpose more virtual than actual. Many speculate that’s why the Bush administration has had trouble filling its top spot, though some security companies say the division’s plans could really help a nation ill-equipped to deal with a massive attack on its online structures.
TiVo and TV Guide agree to drop patent suits
TiVo and Gemstar-TV Guide International have agreed to stop sniping at one another. The two had filed dueling patent infringement suits in a fight that dates back to 2000, each alleging that the other had copied its on-screen television program guides. The settlement of the suits requires that TiVo license a Gemstar-TV Guide patent, the same one that is supplied to electronic guides for cable and satellite providers. From now on, TiVo’s showcase will credit TV Guide-branded entertainment. Gemstar filed first in the disagreement, saying in January 2000 that TiVo had infringed upon patents that connect electronic programming guides to digital recording devices. TiVo countersued soon after.
Survey: Americans not sure they need broadband
Cable and phone companies have not succeeded in making the case for broadband. A new study from Ipsos-Insight finds that most dial-up users either don’t think they need broadband or consider it too expensive to switch. One third say that broadband is probably not a necessity for them. Another 40 percent cite cost concerns as a limiting factor. The survey found that only 3 percent of current dial-up users are likely to switch to broadband if prices remain at the current $40.70 per month for cable providers. A price slash, which phone companies already have begun exploring because they lag so far behind cable these days, would increase new subscriptions substantially, the study found.
June 10, 2003© 2003 Media Life
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