Webified By The Options

"If addiction is judged by how long a dumb animal will sit pressing a lever to get a fix of something, then to its own detriment, I would conclude that Net News is far more addictive than cocaine."

I recently encountered this quote when doing some research on the Web. It made me realize how dependent we've become on the Internet. When I began writing for Business Solutions eight years ago, I had a simple dial-up modem that took an eternity to make a connection. I used the Internet only to send occasional e-mail messages.

Fast forward to the present, I receive at least 100 e-mail press releases daily and do a lot of my research for articles online. I subscribe to a number of online publications and news sources. My Web browser is always open and I now communicate with many technology companies and readers primarily through e-mail rather than phone. I'm not sure if I would be able to function without my Internet "fix."

Business SolutionsOnline
A little late out of the starting blocks, Business Solutions began offering our articles online in 1996. At www.BusinessSolutionsMag. com, readers can search by technology, subject, issue date, etc. for an article. While most of our content mirrors what is in the printed publication, the site receives as many as a half a million hits per month. Some of the Web-only content that Business Solutions offers includes online surveys, award entry forms, technology white papers, and columns from the different technology editors. But, we know that readers want more.

Examining Online Options
Being an Internet junkie, I'm familiar with some of the Web options that print and online publications offer readers. E-mailed news "bits" sent on a daily or weekly basis seem to be one of the more popular offerings. However, some publications offer e-mailed newsletters that have specific focuses in each issue. Popular newsstand publications, like Fast Company, offer their readers a personal touch with Web communities and custom profile pages. But, some sites can go too far by inundating their visitors/readers with too much information and too many options.

So, Business Solutions would like to turn to you, our reader, to get your input. What Web options would be most valuable for your business? In the next few months, Business Solutions will be revamping its Web site to better meet reader needs. After all, if you need a "fix" for technology and channel information, we want to be your source.