My 2¢ Worth

elcome to all subscribers, both old and new! I hope you enjoy this edition of Web Sm@rts!

 was speaking with a fellow publisher this week who posed an interesting ethical dilemma.

his publisher, who shall remain nameless, had purchased a list of E-mail addresses from a "reputable" company. The question she posed is if it would be ethical to send out a one-time E-mail inviting them to subscribe to her E-zine and explain that they are not permanently subscribed unless they choose to opt in.

nfortunately, I didn't have a real answer for her. I hem-hawed around the subject in a rather lengthy E-mail, but never came up with a conclusive answer.

his got me thinking though, as we all strive to run ethical online businesses. Online ethics are probably more important now than ever what with the new FCC rulings and our congress finally taking a stand on the spam issue.

ven though I didn't have an answer to this publishers question, I know I have a bunch of intelligent readers her, so I ask the same question of you. Would it be ethical to send out a one-time invitation to the names on the list she purchased. Please send me an E-mail and let me know your opinion. Send your mail to ed@paradigmwebdesign.net.

'll let you know the results next week.

Feature Article

Ethics

by: Scott 'Gears' Hyperformance Media

Ethics - in a profession or trade - is that branch of philosophy which studies the principles of right and wrong in human conduct.

Is your business ethical? What I mean is "Does your business do the right thing when faced with that decision?" It's a simple question, which many businesses struggle with. I just don't understand the struggle part?

I have worked for companies that believed they were ethical, and really have no clue. Meaning the decisions they make everyday towards their customers and employees does not advocate ethics.

So, what is it? When someone in business gives you their word and then reneges, that is unethical. Your word is your promise. Even if it is your business making the statement.

Doing good business and being a good employer is more than your product or people, it is the guidelines in which you do that good business. I'm disappointed in how many unethical businesses exist today. I have worked for some of them and they just don't get it... they 'talk tough' but when the decisions are made I can't fathom what motivated them come to their decision? It was not necessarily 'doing the right thing'.

Yes, I know profits are pinnacle to most, but that IS NOT the bottom line!

The bottom line is how your customer, partner, client or prospect walked away from their experience. What's so hard to get? It also helps you feel good about yourself and your business, and you should sleep better too!

Treat them the way you want to be treated... I mean it! Don't say something you have no intention of backing up with your action. Keep your word in business, in compensation promises, in client promises, in doing good business. This is what's pinnacle!

I don't want to ramble here, but some businesses need a wake-up-call (yesterday). What puzzles me is why? When you do good business, you get more good business. I'm not just talking about the Enron's or Arthur Anderson's of the World, I'm talking about every type of business out there, in every industry.

If each one of us refused to do business with these unethical companies - we would have a lot fewer of them. Be one of the ethical ones. Do good business, keep your word, don't venture into gray areas, and do the right thing! Sure, it will occasionally cost you something, but it will pay you back, and it won't cost you your dignity or pride or any client worth having. Isn't your business worth it? Or how about your personal reputation?

Try this: The next few times you're faced with 'doing the right thing'?

Well, when you 'do it' - do it with extreme pleasure!

This will pay you and your business back ten-fold. Why? Because that person (customer, employee, client, etc.) is going to tell at least 3-12 other people (potential customers who like to be treated well too).

Remember, you did it with extreme pleasure, they're not just going to say they received a refund, or a promotion, - they're going to be jumping up and down at how well their situation was handled! - Make someone else's day! - you'll be surprised at how well your day goes.

I look forward to running into more good business out there - hopefully yours.

Remember - Doing good business rewards your business with more of it... we're all here seeking to do business with reputable firms, let's do just that.

The upside? If your business does good ethical business? - Then you are already ahead of a good chunk of your competitors! There's opportunity here. Keep up the good work, partner with other 'like types' and only do your personal business with other more ethical companies, like yours. We could see a decrease in our unethical competition very soon.

Thank you for allowing me to voice my thoughts and encourage the type of business that helped this Country, it's people, and every business - Grow.

**************

Scott is the Founder and Sr. Project Manager for Hyperformance Media.com, serving the online business community since 1996. Allow Scott's 23+ years of experience in the computer industry help you succeed!
Author of the #1 rated "SS Hot Tips Sheet" for action marketing you can DO today! Copyright SS ss@hyperformancemedia.com

Indenting Text

The <blockquote> tag enables you to indent your text from the left and right margins within your web page. however, it won't enable you to indent your text from just one side.

If you would like to indent your text from the left margin only, you can use the <ul> tag (the same tag you would use to create a bulleted list). the only difference is that you won't use the <li> tags with it. your text will be indented just as a bulleted list is, but there won't be any bullets.

Here is an example using the <ul> tag without the <li> tags. I have created a border to signify a web page. Notice how the text is indented from the left margin only. Perhaps the best part is that this technique displays well on all major browsers and validates too!

* Get these syndicated tip feeds for your web site, free. *

Second Article

Don't Let Search Engine Loyalty Stop You

by: Jonathan Broadus

Most Internet users have their favorite search engine to which they're faithfully devoted. This isn't a bad thing in itself, but it can become one when search engine loyalty prevents you from an easy find. Search engines are a tool, and each is usually designed for either a generic or specific purpose. When you're searching for general information, it's a good idea to go to your favorite site, the one you know all the little tricks to get the answers you want. But if you're searching for information in a specific field, don't discount the value of going to a very specific search engine for the task.

When I'm programming, for instance, I'm likely to go to Codehound (www.codehound.com) to search for just the right line of code to perform the task I want to do. Codehound's one and only purpose is to index sites related to programming, so it cuts out a lot of the miscellaneous "How did that get there?" results. For medical information, I typically start searching on WebMD (www.webmd.com). It's not that the sites you want aren't on the generic search engines, necessarily. It's that the limitation of the results to a specific category often means you can find it faster with fewer irrelevant results to sort through.

Don't know of a specific search engine for your topic? There's a few places to look. First, ask other people who need similar info where they search. Second, try going to your favorite engine and putting in a phrase such as " search engine". If you wanted psychology info, you would try "psychology search engine" as the phrase, for instance. It might turn up a search engine specifically for that subject.

Finding the best search engine for a specific job can make a lot of difference in your web search success.

**************

Jonathan Broadus is a computer programmer/technician and freelance writer from North Carolina.

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