Shopping Sites
1 World Plaza
This electronic shopping mall has a directory of 35 online stores selling everything from audio books to baby blankets. It's organized well and designed nicely, but the stores aren't located on-site; you'll just find links to the stores' own Web addresses. Moreover, the mall offers no such amenities as security, or a food court.
Content: 4
Aesthetic: 6
TechnoSmart: 2
Author: Wayne Cunningham
A Gift from Paris
As one would imagine, this site features photos of French accessories that can be ordered online. Perhaps for some people, the novelty of receiving a gift from France will be sufficient. However, the ten featured items (including faux pearl earrings, a quilted leather fanny pack, and Pierre Cardin keychain) look like they were purchased at the duty free shop at Charles de Gaulle airport. Is this what French people think Americans think French people really wear? Only the daftest Francophiles will shop here.
Content: 4
Aesthetic: 4
TechnoSmart: 1
Author: Rachel Saidman
A HOUSE OF CLOCKS
If you have a thing for cuckoo clocks or other large timepieces, skip the GIFs of the actual House of Clocks (in suburban Seattle) and peruse the rest of this page for a few moments. But for purchases that range from a Krazy Kat model ($30) to mantel clocks ($300-$600), you might want a bit more description, more refined dimensions, or at least a better image than you'll see here. At least Clockstore offers a three-year warranty on its clocks - and a page of links to other clock-lovers' sites.
Content: 5
Aesthetic: 1
TechnoSmart: 2
Author: Karen Wickre
A Tale of Two Kitties
If you like to display or even flaunt your love of cats, and you can tolerate intense cuteness, A Tale of Two Kitties could be for you. It's a well-organized, easy-to-view catalog of stuff for feline fans - tote bags, T shirts, caps, and of course, computer accessories (you need a cat mouse pad, don't you?). Heavy on the pastels and cutesy copy, the products are clearly described and priced, and ordering is easy (fax, e-mail, mail, and phone). Not only can you outfit your entire house and body in cat-related goods, there are even a couple of products for your own tabby (more to come, no doubt).
Content: 5
Aesthetic: 5
TechnoSmart: 2
Author: Karen Wickre
America's Choice Mall
When you enter this E-Mall, you'll find a small variety of products; mostly strange mail order niche things. Most of the storefronts are on-site, and online ordering is available through a secure form. The graphics won't win any awards, and the organization is a little odd, allowing the user to select a mall by state, which doesn't make too much sense in the extra-geographical realm of the Internet.
Content: 5
Aesthetic: 5
TechnoSmart: 2
Author: Wayne Cunningham
Archie McPhee
What do plastic hearts and wind-up robots have in common? Both things adorn the home page of the Archie McPhee Web site, but what does the juxtaposition mean? Is it meant to hint at some kind of man/machine duality in cyberspace, the human heart signifying the living, breathing human, the robot an artifice created in the likeness of man? And what shall we make of the fact that the underlying context of this odd coupling is the Web? Doesn't the World Wide Web suggest a unified whole? Not confrontation or duality, but harmony? No, people, don't be fooled. On the surface, Archie McPhee may seem to be a mere retailer of fringeware, cast-off experiments from the tawdry age of mass-production -- rubber insects and strange alarm clocks and hot pink, vibrating gewgaws -- but Archie McPhee is really about subtext. It's apparent in the very name. Even before the proprietors of this funky store in Seattle thought of the appellation, Archie McPhee already existed in the collective unconscious, like one of Plato's forms or the Oversoul. All any American needs, in this late-capitalist culture of ours, is to hear mention of the name, Archie McPhee, to experience an immediate sense of calm and familiarity, as if he, (it ) were an old beloved cartoon character, evocative of all childhood's happiness. The Archie McPhee catalog is legendary. Somehow -- as if by magic -- it turns up in random mailboxes around the country. Folks read it and pass it around to friends, but unlike karma (and boomerangs, for that matter), it doesn't come back. The catalog, and the store in Seattle, are filled with plastic eyes, weird toys, plastic pools of vomit, and a lot of stuff that's just indescribable, not to mention incredibly inexpensive. The Web site is diminutive in comparison, culling the best merchandise from the stockroom, highlighting such wonderful novelties as the Fighting Nun Punching Puppet. And a Nun puppet with punching action inevitably brings us back to the subtext. (You knew it would.) On one level, there is the comic notion of the peaceful Nun, unwise in the ways of the world, engaging in fisticuffs. The comic nature of the puupet lies in the fact that a duality is melded together in the whole, the gestalt. The deeper subtext, of course, has to do with the whole human condition, that humans are like DNA, containing all possible human characteristics in one novel package. The double helix intertwined, the Yin and the Yan, evil chasing its tail. (You know you know what I'm getting at.) Archie McPhee teaches us harmony on the home page, and everywhere throughout the site. Archie McPhee may be nothing more than a figment, but he's a figment on the razor's-edge path to enlightenment. Amen.
Content: 6
Aesthetic: 9
TechnoSmart: 3
Author: Wayne Cunningham
As Seen on TV
Bacon Magic. Pet Mitt. Dura Lube. Mega Mop. And yes! Ginsu Knives. As Seen on TV offers just what the name says: products you've marveled over late at night on hyper-info-mercials. Each item features a product shot, some key sales messages, and a secure order form. But wait! There's more! You can also link to info on establishing your very own TV Store franchise: a physical location where you can retail As Seen on TV products. That's quite an offer friends.
Content: 4
Aesthetic: 5
TechnoSmart: 2
Author: Karen Wickre
Atomic Books Electronic Catalog
The electronic catalog is the online version of the physical Atomic Books store in Baltimore, MD. And I know just how to get there because there's a map on the site. The book selection is great; it consists of all the weird and eclectic stuff you won't find at Barnes & Noble. Besides underground comic books and graphic novels, there are sections for revenge, hiding your identity, and trash culture. Unfortunately, online ordering isn't very sophisticated. No shopping basket; you just have to type the name of your selection into a text box.
Content: 6
Aesthetic: 5
TechnoSmart: 1
Author: Wayne Cunningham
Atomic Books
Boom! The stockpile of twisted literature available from this Baltimore, Maryland bookstore will blow your mind. They offer esoteric tomes on topics ranging from erotica to anarchism, conspiracy theories to survivalist techniques, as well as an armory of underground and adult comics, graphic novels, cult films, pin-ups and zines. Most items listed in the well-organized Atomic inventories are accompanied by brief, informative descriptions to facilitate your online shopping experience, and some also include pictures and links to the publisher's website. Atomic specials and new releases are featured regularly. Lead suit optional.
Content: 5
Aesthetic: 6
TechnoSmart: 3
Author: Miles Orkin
Auction Advantage
Despite the fantasies this site's name might inspire, you'll have to look elsewhere for Picasso etchings, oriental rugs and Kennedy family furniture. Surf no farther, however, if Florida commercial property and Colorado vacation condos are what you desire. Auction Advantage deals strictly with real estate auctions throughout the country. It includes pictures and descriptions of property to be auctioned, plus links to related sites (for example, a City of Lancaster, California link for a ranch being auctioned there). The information is concise and up-to-date, but probably not too interesting unless you're actually in the market.
Content: 5
Aesthetic: 5
TechnoSmart: 2
Author: Miles Orkin
Auto-By-Tel
Auto-By-Tel on the Web really means "Auto by e-mail and phone." It's geared to serious car buyers who already know the make, model, and options they want on a new car, and want a quote from a dealer. Submit your query (along with your name, contact info, address, and how you'll finance the car) via e-mail, and one of the qualified ABT dealers will call you back shortly with a quote. Not unreasonably, ABT takes pains to say that it is not a price-quoting service, and prefers queries from immediate (this week), serious (1-2 weeks), or future (1-2 months) buyers. Very cool.
Content: 6
Aesthetic: 5
TechnoSmart: 2
Author: Karen Wickre
AutoLink
Here's a good idea: list your used car for sale for the one-time cost of $24.95. You supply specs using long pop-up menus; a photo is optional. Prospective buyers can search by make, model, year, or price, and retrieve all the listings that match. The well-organized site was created by a group of sales and leasing outfits. As with most of the Web, the site will improve with a greater variety of listings and more locations (at present, it reflects Long Island, NY and not much else).
Content: 5
Aesthetic: 5
TechnoSmart: 3
Author: Karen Wickre
AutoSite
Browsing through AutoSite is an enticing way for car fanatics to shoot the day. You must join (at $9.95 for 30 days) to get the full impact of this home for buyers and auto-philes. But even if you don't want to subscribe, come here to learn more about symptoms of car trouble and suggested solutions, get the specs on new cars by manufacturer or country, and even see good-sized photos of most models. Those who register also get access to current base prices for new cars, comprehensive standard and optional feature lists, financing info, and blue-book value for used cars. Lots here.
Content: 6
Aesthetic: 5
TechnoSmart: 2
Author: Karen Wickre
AutoWeb Interactive
Because they require research and comparison shopping, cars can be a good subject for Web sites. AutoWeb, "The Nation's Electronic Auto Mall," is a good place to check on current prices of new and used cars, by dealer, by state or metro area, and even by private owner. There's also Autos Wanted and Exotic / Classic Cars Wanted (this is a paid ad area), and with a decent connection you can easily browse though a respectable number of listings. Search for dealer info by location, services and hours, though the list is somewhat incomplete. It's a good start point.
Content: 5
Aesthetic: 5
TechnoSmart: 2
Author: Karen Wickre
Bargain Finder Agent Prototype
This brilliant little utility from Andersen Consulting does your music shopping for you. Just enter the artist and album title you want to find, and Bargain Finder goes to nine online music stores, and comes back with prices. Or it would if CDNow, NetMarket, and CDLand weren't blocking it - Bargain Finder seems to have problems integrating with other stores' search forms. The only store it consistently returned prices from was CDworld.
Content: 5
Aesthetic: 5
TechnoSmart: 3
Author: Wayne Cunningham
Biggest Little Craft Mall
OK, I haven't walked a mile in this mall's moccasins, but I'm pretty sure I wouldn't call my cyber-mall "The Biggest" anything until I made sure I had a lot of vendors signed up. The BLCM doesn't. When I looked, there was one seller in each of five areas (knitting, woodworking, cross-stitch, crafts, and stitch-pattern software). Not that they don't mean well. The site has built the capability for searching by geography, posting classifieds and email threaded discussion, tips on what sells, materials, and where to find supplies. They're trying.
Content: 5
Aesthetic: 5
TechnoSmart: 2
Author: Karen Wickre
Byte.my.disk!
Censorship on the Internet (The Communications Decency Act) is a hot issue. Gabby, Cynthia, and Monica are feeling pretty pissed off about it and, hey, you wanna buy a t-shirt? I'm not sure if the visuals-featuring attractive young women straddling chairs with pouty lips and tousled hair are tongue-in-cheek, but irony notwithstanding, how about some beefcake, girls? Horny young guys aren't the only ones surfing the Internet, and if I'm going to fork over $39.99 for a t-shirt, I want to get my money's worth.
Content: 5
Aesthetic: 5
TechnoSmart: 2
Author: Rachel Saidman
CSA Archive
Kitsch is king at the CSA Archive, a huge repository of advertising line art from the 1920's through the 1960's. The catalog, available for $49.95, documents over 7,000 historic and advertising illustrations. You can also order the CSA Archive Diskette or CD-ROM Collection which provides icons and dingbats for editorial and advertising use. Other products include Zippo lighters, t-shirts, and other funky home and personal accessories. Product photos could definitely be bigger, but graphic designers, desktop publishers, web site developers, and anyone else involved in the design field, should definitely take a look at the products offered at this site. C-3 A-3 T-3
Content: 6
Aesthetic: 6
TechnoSmart: 3
Author: Rachel Saidman
Classified Flea Market
All ads are in the 510 area code (which is the East Bay Area, that vast district across the water from San Francisco), unless otherwise noted. Again, real handy if you're in this part of the country; means bupkis if not. The site offers free listings, simple search by any of the 90 categories, etc. The novelty here is CFM's ad of the week, which, on this outing, was a beaded wedding dress.
Content: 5
Aesthetic: 5
TechnoSmart: 2
Author: Reed Rahlman
Classifieds 2000
Classifieds 2000 specializes in cars. Sellers list free; buyers can easily access offerings either by scanning entire listings or scanning desired criteria. My search string of "Japanese car, manual, under $1,700" came up with more than a few good leads. If the car of your dreams isn't currently listed, a "cool notify" feature will e-mail you when one arrives. Classifieds 2000 currently only serves the San Francisco Bay Area, but expansions to Los Angeles, New York, Chicago, and Boston are in the works. Real handy, and they took time to make it look good, too.
Content: 5
Aesthetic: 5
TechnoSmart: 2
Author: Reed Rahlman
Consumer World
Consumer World is a mega-site of useful links to all things consumer-related: phone and zip code directories; Better Business Bureau ratings, federal consumer publications, legal references, etc.. Rather than scroll through all the links, you can jump to subject areas. And, though it's a big site, this is a handy way to keep track of Panasonic 800 numbers, Popular Mechanics Car Buying Facts, HUD Asset Sales, state consumer agencies, and lots, lots more.
Content: 6
Aesthetic: 5
TechnoSmart: 2
Author: Karen Wickre
Cyberlink
By the look of the front door, it's clear Cyberlink wants you to head straight to their "CyberMall," but it's not clear why. The few links offer Jeep parts and rebuilding services; a skimpy selection of computer parts for liquidation; software to create catalogs on disk; a few pair of designer glasses. You can also link to 10 search engines. Blinking text is overused here and there are a lot of photo images to download. When you've figured out what business you're in, Cyberlink, let us know.
Content: 4
Aesthetic: 4
TechnoSmart: 2
Author: Karen Wickre
DealerNet
Car buffs have a home on the Internet at "The Virtual Showroom," where you can do everything but take the sucker out for a test drive. This site verges on information overload, with dealers, new cars, used cars, specialty vehicles, finance and leasing information, reviews, and a chat room, but the information is presented logically and with graphic pizzazz. I would be interested to know how this extends into the 3-D world-does the dealer honor the Web site price? Is it still negotiable? Nevertheless, this is a good place to start for an overview of what's out there and what it's going for.
Content: 5
Aesthetic: 6
TechnoSmart: 3
Author: Rachel Saidman
Designers Direct
Shopping becomes a chore at this site, which sends you through page after page just to see what's available (casual clothing), get descriptions of specific items (there're only eight), go to additional photos of said items (the top-level illustrations are truly thumbnail-sized). Hoo, boy. If you want to go to all this trouble for a Calvin Klein T-shirt or a $98 bomber jacket, be my guest. The site does offer multiple ways of paying, including an 800 number, so you might find an actual human to answer your questions. In terms of browsing, though, Designers Direct makes you work hard for a questionable reward.
Content: 5
Aesthetic: 5
TechnoSmart: 2
Author: Karen Wickre
Developer Depot
Sponsored by MacTech magazine, Developer Depot is aimed at developers for the Macintosh OS. Although they sell at a discount, their site exists only to sell, sell, sell their hundreds of products. There are no FAQs, no games, no outside links, no frills, no fun and absolutely nothing for free. Want to know what that "Arnold Jr." t-shirt or those "Debug boxers" from the clothing and accessories section look like? You're out of luck. Clothes are not described or pictured. But if you want a programming textbook or a runtime engine, these folks will sell you one for cheap.
Content: 4
Aesthetic: 4
TechnoSmart: 2
Author: Gary Barker
Diners Grapevine
The Grapevine: Read menus, check prices, hours, reviews, get directions, find out which credit cards they take, or if kids are welcome. Unfortunately, most of the databases for these guides fall mighty short of offering these reasonable features, and Diners Grapevine is no exception. You can search by location, cuisine, atmosphere, entertainment, all right; but what you'll get is a listing, plain and simple, with street address and phone number. Period. The Guide's obvious emphasis is to get more listings (and salespeople to work for the Grapevine), and to feature restaurants using the Transmedia discount card, which not surprisingly is a sponsor of the page. Duh!
Content: 5
Aesthetic: 5
TechnoSmart: 2
Author: Karen Wickre
DreamShop
One of the more cumbersome URLs in existence hosts TimeWarner's DreamShop, a collection of upscale catalogs including Eddie Bauer, The Sharper Image, Williams-Sonoma, and The Bombay Company. The site is colorful despite its sanitized corporate feel, and suggests an aura of having never been touched by human hands or imagination. Features include the Personal Shopper search engine, which facilitates searches under Timeless Classics, Under $20, and Indulge yourself.
Content: 5
Aesthetic: 2
TechnoSmart: 2
Author: Reed Kirk Rahlman
E-shop
This might be the closest approximation of the Home Shopping Network on the Web: Although not offering as vast an array of goods yet (hardly), it has exactly the same sort of wildly diverse, tawdry, no-class merchandise as the TV people do. My favorites: The Hand's Free Sports Ball Carrier and the Long Mu Mu (@ 16.95, a must for the lady of the house). Most of the departments are, as yet, still empty, but who knows? TV shopping was a huge hit: Maybe, God help us, this will be too.
Content: 4
Aesthetic: 5
TechnoSmart: 2
Author: Patrick Joseph
EMusic
Here's a music site that offers some reasonably smart searching (by song, title, year, artist, genre, label) for a 100,000-item catalog. As with a number of other music sites, though, EMusic has only a thin veneer atop an ugly text database, and within moments you'll be peering at small type to decipher your finds. There are some nice features including links to new titles and concert dates (under construction at this writing), top 40 charts, top sellers by year, and a way to review both your current and previous orders. Eventually, with some of its links smoothed out and a more readable storehouse of titles, EMusic could be a good stop for music lovers, instead of just an adequate one.
Content: 5
Aesthetic: 5
TechnoSmart: 2
Author: Karen Wickre
EMusic Home Page
Here's a music site that offers some reasonably smart searching (by song, title, year, artist, genre, label) for a 100,000-item catalog. As with a number of other music sites, though, EMusic has only a thin veneer atop an ugly text database, and within moments you'll be peering at small type to decipher your finds. There are some nice features including links to new titles and concert dates (under construction at this writing), top 40 charts, top sellers by year, and a way to review both your current and previous orders. Eventually, with some of its links smoothed out and a more readable storehouse of titles, EMusic could be a good stop for music lovers, instead of just an adequate one.
Content: 5
Aesthetic: 5
TechnoSmart: 1
Author: Karen Wickre
EPage Internet Classifieds
This general merchandise online ad paper claims 75,000 actual readers ("not hits!"). Commercial ads support the free placements by regular humans. Searches are available by region and subject, which are broken down into detailed sub-groups. It could be a good source to find what you're looking for, but it needs more ads to choose from. Still, if you have something to sell, it can't hurt to post it here.
Content: 4
Aesthetic: 5
TechnoSmart: 2
Author: Reed Rahlman
Eaton's
One would think Eaton's, a very large Canadian department store chain, could find it's way to a decent Web site designer. The site is about as attractive as an employee breakroom, and loaded with features such as; text only fashion reports that are both dull and out of date, a shopping section that has maybe 50 items you *can't* order online, and a sleepy customer service section with little useful information. The next time you're traveling through Canada, be sure and check out the store finder, which lists locations and hours for each Eaton's.
Content: 4
Aesthetic: 4
TechnoSmart: 2
Author: Brian Bearden
Edna Creek Mercantile
This site was created for those who want to combine the old-fashioned home-y-ness of the small town Mercantile, with the speed and convienence of the Web. The Folk's over at Edna Creek have a love for the romantic imagery of the old west- this site brims with it. The product selection is rather limited, but you can order all items over the Web, and they are featured on attractive, well designed pages. Anyone who prefers mountain villages to cities, and trout fishing to golf, will want to swing by the Merc when passing through Edna Creek.
Content: 5
Aesthetic: 6
TechnoSmart: 2
Author: Brian Bearden
ElectroWeb
If anyone tries to tell you that shopping on the Web is fun, easy, intuitive, and beats facing the mallgoers, don't believe `em -- this site's proof. To shop here, you gotta plow your way through numbing market-speak lists of the various electronic, PC, and peripheral products ElectroWeb pushes, most of it in shorthand (64kb/s Data, 64kb/s Digital Voice, Max-X Bass), and sportin' fuzzy product shots. It pays to know exactly which model or title you want before browsing, and woe to the shopper whose taste ranges beyond the meager inventory offered here. If this were all there was to the Web, we would have moved on to the next fad by now.
Content: 5
Aesthetic: 4
TechnoSmart: 2
Author: Karen Wickre
EvolveFish
You've seen them, the metal fish gracing cars proclaiming a belief in either creationism or Darwinian evolution. EvolveFish, "dedicated to countering the destructive aspects of religious zealotry," offers products in the latter camp. These include Darwin fish (with feet), pins, mugs, shirts, and so on. Then there's a long list of organizations (mostly text, few links) advocating science education, secular humanism and free thought. Check out the supporting and opposing comments about EvolveFish, and take their survey on the issues raised by the footed fish. A place to ponder how far we've come -- or not.
Content: 6
Aesthetic: 4
TechnoSmart: 1
Author: Karen Wickre
Fat Cat, Inc.
Fetching felines meet political satire at Fat Cat, Inc., the toys-for-cats online emporium. This site combines fanciful graphics and clever animations with cunning cat toy gimmicks pets and their owners will both appreciate. Catnip stuffed dolls for cats to sniff include Toss Perot, See Bill Run, and Newt Hoot (where's Bozo Bob?), as well as a stuffed vet, mean dog, and nasty neighbor on which cats can vent their pent-up hostility. Kids can download paper cat dolls to dress up and color, and can also post drawings of their favorite kitties. C-3 A-3 T-3
Content: 6
Aesthetic: 6
TechnoSmart: 3
Author: Rachel Saidman
Fizbo Depot
Fizbo Depot is a National FSBO (for sale by owner) Home Listing Database. For $49.95, you get a six-month classified ad of your home, complete with a photo and description. While this is an intriguing concept, especially for people relocating to a new city, real estate brokers needn't start looking for new careers just yet. The site is clearly in its nascent stages, with only fourteen listings nationwide. For now, traditional selling and buying methods may yield more success.
Content: 4
Aesthetic: 5
TechnoSmart: 2
Author: Rachel Saidman
FreeAdz Classifieds
This electronic version of the Boulder County, CO paper lets individuals list free. Businesses, collectors, and breeders (which, I assume, refers to people who deal in animals, and not the slang expression for heterosexuals) pay for theirs. Also included is a "Soap Box" page, where you can rant about any issue you want, as long as you present solid arguments (which takes the fun out of it, if you ask me). Useful, but only if you live in the area, or have a desire to see what they're trying to unload out there.
Content: 5
Aesthetic: 6
TechnoSmart: 2
Author: Reed Rahlman
Good Stuff Cheap
If buying close-out bargains is your idea of heaven, get on over to Good Stuff Cheap, a well-designed site offering leftovers and finals of everything from stuffed animals to karaoke systems, "fun watches" to tackle boxes. Searchable menus let you create a "personal shopper" that will notify you when there are new products available in categories you pick. Order using email, fax, or an 800 number. For the undemanding and inveterate shopper, GSC could be fun.
Content: 5
Aesthetic: 5
TechnoSmart: 2
Author: Karen Wickre
Hot Coupons
You know those envelopes full of coupons you get in the mail, the ones you quit opening when you realized they were mostly junk? Now you can actually seek them out and download them at the Hot Coupons site, which has taken direct mail online. You can take advantage of lots of neat coupons like 25% off at Closet World, products like Baywatch Merchandise and the Posture-X-Bra, or sign up for your own Hot Coupons franchise. This is a great resource if you need a new table pad, or are looking for alternative methods of hair removal.
Content: 4
Aesthetic: 5
TechnoSmart: 2
Author: Rachel Saidman
Hot Hot Hot
The Internet's first "Culinary Headshop," Hot Hot Hot will tantalize both your mind and your tastebuds. You can search their extensive catalog for a range of hot sauces and salsas and either order directly from the site or by phone. Also featured are tasty tidbits of information about chiles and other fiery concoctions. The design is top-notch, with vibrant, primitive graphics against a tabasco red background. Easy to use, fun to read, and great to look at, this is a must for spicy sauce devotees, and friends searching for gift ideas.
Content: 6
Aesthetic: 6
TechnoSmart: 3
Author: Rachel Saidman
INTERIOR DESIGN INTERNATIONAL
Here's some friendly advice: Don't promise the moon if you can't deliver it. This site is merely a color brochure (with fuzzy photos) promising interior design services at $47/hour plus all expenses - and coming soon, a place to buy furniture, fabrics, wall and window coverings, and accessories from IDI's wholesalers. What can you do at the moment, you ask? Look at the photos of various rooms (no products identified), and send email to IDI. That's it. Please come back later.
Content: 4
Aesthetic: 5
TechnoSmart: 2
Author: Karen Wickre
Internet Plaza
A "virtual mall," you can either window shop at the Internet Plaza or browse through merchandise at numerous and varied retail establishments. Shops are divided into categories including Book End, Fashion Blvd., Gourmet Lane, Sports and Fitness St., Travel Ave., and Kids Way, each represented by a handful of stores. For those folks who either loathe, or are unable to reach, the real thing, this is probably not a bad alternative to shopping malls: no parking hassles, lines for dressing rooms, rude clerks, or crowds. Navigating the site is easy, the mall metaphor consistent throughout. C-2 A-2 T-2
Content: 5
Aesthetic: 5
TechnoSmart: 2
Author: Rachel Saidman
Internet Shopping Galleria Main Menu
Welcome to a plain-vanilla grid of non-imperative shopping choices: pet products (rain slickers for dogs), cuckoo and grandfather clocks, a modeling agency (featuring two models), San Diego singles, golf balls, extremely sparse jewelry (one item only when I looked), Dial-A-Contact Lens, and, of course, the standard Web floral offerings. Chances are you wouldn't head to a mall off-line with such generic, scanty, and wildly diverse outlets. Why should you settle for it on the Web?
Content: 4
Aesthetic: 1
TechnoSmart: 1
Author: Karen Wickre
Island Outfitters
I guess the Island Outfitter folks must have a lot of time on their hands. Their text-intensive site offers friendly, chamber-of-commerce style reports on various Caribbean destinations including the Cayman Islands and Cuba, along with very few external links and an extremely secure way to order -- what else? T shirts and caps. Everything looks nice, but the product images are all fairly slow to load. Linking to some travel resources would help beef up the content so we're rewarded with more than T-shirts for our trouble.
Content: 4
Aesthetic: 5
TechnoSmart: 2
Author: Karen Wickre
Jerry's Music Shack
Free music? No way. Jerry gives us an interesting, but short, list of �free or almost free' music. The catch is you have to buy other items, such as books, and the CDs come thrown in. It seems kind of like calling those CD-ROMs that come pasted into the back of $50.00 computer books free - I don't buy it. This site does have a delightfully random sampling of music, but there were only about five CDs listed when I visited, and they were arranged in an cumbersome, albeit attractive, manner.
Content: 5
Aesthetic: 5
TechnoSmart: 2
Author: Brian Bearden
Jones Digital Store Trading Post
"So, virtual partners, get ready to fill yer saddlebags with the finest goods and services on the electronic supertrail today!" And just what will you be filling yer saddlebags with? To date, wholesale paper and stationery; videos and CDs from Jones' bookstore (including a 20 hour set of Newt Gingrich lectures); elasticized wrist-holders to stave off RSI or carpal tunnel effects; security software, and ski accessories. Like so many small business sites, its ambition (and prose) far outweighs its ability to deliver more than a small hodgepodge of strictly optional goods. Don't feel like moseying? Can't say I blame ya.
Content: 4
Aesthetic: 5
TechnoSmart: 2
Author: Karen Wickre
Jumbo Shareware
With almost 50,000 programs, Jumbo can definitely claim to be the Internet's "Official Shareware" site. Shareware and freeware is categorized by type, then operating system. Once you find something you like, you'll link to a list of FTP sites from where the software can be downloaded. The number of sites varies depending on the software. Nice graphics. If it exists, it's probably here.
Content: 6
Aesthetic: 6
TechnoSmart: 3
Author: Wayne Cunningham
Ken Crane's Laser Disc Super Store
Laser discs are well-suited to Web shopping: you can search by genre, title or format (letterbox sometimes available), and you can order jackets or sleeves for the discs you have, and for those laserdisc fans who don't have access to a large selection locally, Ken's is a good resource. Besides the usual genres, he offers specialties including X-rated, exercise, Star Trek, karaoke, TV classics, and Voyager Criterion titles. Aficionados will know how his prices stack up, but given the wide selection and choice of delivery speeds (regular, fast, and I've-gotta-have-it-tomorrow), chances are this is one to bookmark.
Content: 6
Aesthetic: 5
TechnoSmart: 2
Author: Karen Wickre
Latasia and Co.
Oh, this one is precious. See,...at Latasia they "think shopping should be fun, convenient, and exciting!" That's why they include "lots of information (The Latasia Story), accessory tips ("nifty things you need to know") and gift suggestions ("Aarh! Her birthday is this week, what do I do?" I'll tell you what you do, nimrod: Do her a favor and skip town). But wait,...there's more: Latasia is also an exciting opportunity to earn money at home! Ooooii. I'd give this one a wide berth.
Content: 4
Aesthetic: 4
TechnoSmart: 2
Author: Patrick Joseph
Long Grove Confectionery Company
Forget Mom's birthday? Want to send that special someone from the chat room a chocolate computer? Never fear, Long Grove is ready to meet your needs 24 hours a day, and with a wide and quirky variety of mouthwatering chocolates to chose from, you should be able to find the perfect gift to bring a smile to any chocoholics face. You can order all their delicacies from a form, have them gift wrapped and delivered, and get a free box of chocolates for yourself. Despite all this, since the only payment option Long Grove gives you is plastic, and it's forms are insecure, I probably won't be ordering any luscious chocolate tackle boxes.
Content: 6
Aesthetic: 5
TechnoSmart: 2
Author: Brian Bearden
Lyndy's Country Cupboards
Our gal Lyndy says that her store, 45 minutes from downtown Houston, is in the "country shopping mecca of Texas," and that her Web page offers "the only warm and cozy shopping experience on the Net!!" I'll give her this: the photos of products she's selling online are good-sized, and it's easy to find the descriptions, dimensions, and shipping costs right by each item. But I'll leave it to you to decide if you need to order a pair of fuzzy bears. Ordering seems easy (but your only delivery choice is UPS Ground), so if you're feeling warm and cozy, stop on by.
Content: 5
Aesthetic: 5
TechnoSmart: 2
Author: Karen Wickre
Mark Products
Where to begin with Mark Products? It took me several passes through this site to figure out what was for sale, let alone why I should buy it, or how. The page is a classic collection of HTML don'ts, English-language don'ts, and marketing don'ts. The company sells personal security products, including stun guns, various sprayers, sensor units, personal alarms, and my favorite, "jogging counterstrike weights" (they contain cayenne pepper spray). If you can wade through the poorly organized layout and unhelpful copy, you're free to order online, via fax or phone. about to download has 17 chapters on helping to protect yourself & loved-ones from everyday crime.
Content: 4
Aesthetic: 4
TechnoSmart: 1
Author: Karen Wickre
Monkey
This is primarily a store for hats and shirts, with unique artwork by Ken Brown. Wait a minute. Did I say "artwork?" This is clothing with prints of things like coffee cups. Artwork may be a stretch, but it is unique. The prices seem reasonable, although to actually order anything, you will have to revert to voice communications. Seems like good gift material for people in their early 20s.
Content: 5
Aesthetic: 6
TechnoSmart: 1
Author: Wayne Cunningham
Moz
Moz-E Shirts (get it?) are either a swell idea or an awful one; I can't decide. Here it is: You put your e-mail address on a T-shirt for all the world to see. Florida college student Moz offers Nancy (of Sluggo fame), a conehead guy, a cool sax player, a steaming cup of joe, and Van Gogh flowers. Or send in your own fave graphic (standard formats, please) and choose a font from his esoteric selection. Cool feature: he'll sends you a GIF of what the shirt will look like. If you like it, be ready to pay cash; Moz doesn't take plastic.
Content: 5
Aesthetic: 6
TechnoSmart: 2
Author: Karen Wickre
Music Boulevard
At Music Boulevard you you can browse music titles by genre, artist, album and song title. Albums display an All Music Guide rating and release date, and you can choose CD's or cassettes. (Though you must open an account before buying, it's transacted via a secure server.) Sign up for e-mail news of the shop's sales. One smart feature: choosing an artist gets you a list of similar artists to investigate. But when I picked Terence Trent D'Arby from the Oleta Adams list, they said no titles were available. Hmm.
Content: 5
Aesthetic: 6
TechnoSmart: 2
Author: Karen Wickre
My Wish List
Winner of this month's chutzpah award is My Wish List, a gift registry for YOU. That's right, for a yearly or quarterly fee, you can list up to 25 items - product names, brands, colors, sizes - and then exhort your pals to go here to search for your heart's desires. Strangely, there's no way to buy anything that's listed, or link to pages where your wish list items might be. My Wish List simply takes money for posting your list. Nice graphics and easy navigation, though.
Content: 4
Aesthetic: 6
TechnoSmart: 2
Author: Karen Wickre
Nelly's Pilot and Aircraft Supply
There's no doubt that actual pilots and aircraft owners will gain the most from this site, with its comprehensive catalog of headsets, flight plans, airplane parts and navigation charts. Even so, don't pass Nelly's by just because you haven't received your wings yet. The animations that jump, spin and soar on practically every page are just the kind of online multimedia bells and whistles many surfers search for. Plus, you can find out about airshows, events, museums, galleries, literature, check out flight sim games and aviation screen savers.
Content: 5
Aesthetic: 5
TechnoSmart: 3
Author: Miles Orkin
Net 1
Net 1 promotes NetChex, a system for secure Internet money transactions. NetChex software can be downloaded from this site. One problem is that the software only exists in PC format. Another more serious problem is that few vendors have adopted NetChex as a standard. If nobody accepts our NetChex, we can't very well spend our money, can we? An impressive looking site on the surface, but NetChex has yet to deliver the goods.
Content: 4
Aesthetic: 6
TechnoSmart: 1
Author: Wayne Cunningham
New York Food
Got a yen for pizza, bagels, chow mein, or pasta delivered to your door? If you live in Manhattan, you might have luck with New York Food. At this writing, the selection of restaurants is predictably heavy in the deli department, but downright skimpy in cuisines like Indian, Thai, or Japanese. The criteria for cost and geographical boundaries are still very vague, but that's OK because other features of the service - an area for posting your own reviews and reading others, for example - are limited to New York customers of Internet provider Pipeline. The foundation is here for a nice service; New Yorkers, check back next year.
Content: 5
Aesthetic: 5
TechnoSmart: 2
Author: Karen Wickre
Nine Lives Clothing Consignment Store
Winner of the Unclear-on-the-Concept prize is Nine Lives, a used clothing store in Los Gatos, California. Here's how it works: you customize a shopper's profile and then send the site's personal assistant to find clothes or shoes from the store that you'll like. What you'll get back is a text-only list of items listing color, size, and fabric, and price. Like what you read (but can't see)? Then call the store to put a 24-hour-hold on the merchandise and go to Los Gatos to buy it! Sorry, no shipping available. Get a clue, Nine Lives: Scrap the Web site, print up some flyers with the money you save and stick �em on windshields. I suggest they save their money to print circulars to put under windshields.
Content: 4
Aesthetic: 4
TechnoSmart: 1
Author: Karen Wickre
Offworld Metaplex
An extremely groovy and eclectic shopping mall with an outerspace theme. The credits read "Offworld Metaplex, founded by Slith Darkmass, 2035." One purpose of the site is to advertise Darkmass Productions' Web design services, so the graphics are really good, although somewhat unrestrained. Unfortunately, it lacks one very important factor that most malls have: shops. You know, places where you can buy things? It does have enough goofy stuff, like art galleries, a wishing well, and the black hole of pain, that it's fun to go there anyway. And you won't spend any money.
Content: 4
Aesthetic: 6
TechnoSmart: 3
Author: Wayne Cunningham
PlanetMARS Inline Skate
Like running shoes, roller skates have gone totally high tech. The inline skates favored today by hip rollers look like space boots on steroids. Blast off to Planet Mars, for a BIG dose of skating gear - and of the Netscape blink feature - and start shopping (pay by check, credit card, or wire transfer). The site is very graphics - and Tables - intensive, but the Martians don't provide any background about the products you're considering other than low-res photos, and low, low Planet Mars price. Planet Mars is probably better suited for the average-sized, diehard fan who already knows it all and doesn't want pointers to other resources or additional info.
Content: 5
Aesthetic: 4
TechnoSmart: 2
Author: Karen Wickre
RIGHTEOUS RAGS
"Dead fish swim with the stream." "A big head is a big load." "Get a grip." These are slogans you too can buy and wear, courtesy of Righteous Rags. The site offers a simple product line (T-shirts, mock turtlenecks, sweatshirts and caps) which promote "virtuous attitudes" such as integrity, honesty and hard work in larger-than-life display type. It's easy to find what you're looking for, the product sketches are appealing, and you can send email with your comments and questions. When I visited, there was only one problem: the order page was under construction. Delayed gratification, anyone?
Content: 5
Aesthetic: 6
TechnoSmart: 2
Author: Karen Wickre
Rent Net
The value of information on the Web is only as good as the database behind it. Rent Net's onto a good idea, letting you search by Canadian province or US state, city, number of bedrooms, and price range for apartments. But of course there are only a handful of listings for any given search because the service needs many more participants to be truly useful. The features Rent Net offers are good ideas, too: listings include icons for pets, whether the place is a home, single unit or vacation site. There are even snapshots of a number of the buildings. It's small, but on the right path.
Content: 5
Aesthetic: 5
TechnoSmart: 2
Author: Karen Wickre
Retail Slut
If you're the type who easily parts with money, do these items grab you? "Poet shirt, rayon, ties at neck $74; mini-skirt, shiny stretch vinyl, zipper back with snap, $28; stretch jeans, super stretch, standard cut (not shown), $68." Not enough info, you say? How about if you could see a small detail-indifferent black & white photo of these items on models? Welcome to Retail Slut. This Melrose Avenue store in LA offers you a table of item numbers and sketchy descriptions, or photos displaying same. Cute concept, now let's rebuild your page with real buyers in mind.
Content: 5
Aesthetic: 5
TechnoSmart: 2
Author: Karen Wickre
Seven Seas Trading Post
Seven Seas Trading Post, claiming to be "one of the most fascinating places on the Internet," provides patrons with the opportunity to own a piece of history in the form of artifacts from around the world. Selected examples include a Greek Bronze arrowhead circa 300 B.C. for $149.00, a Civil War Bullet for $19.00, and an ancient Egyptian scarab from 600 BC for $79.00. Now, I'm not an archaeologist, but these prices seem kind of low for "authentic artifacts." Let the buyer beware.
Content: 4
Aesthetic: 5
TechnoSmart: 2
Author: Rachel Saidman
Sound Spectrum
If you don't need instant gratification, music is an easy shopping goal on the Net. You can often search your chosen site by title or artist, sometimes by genre, and order up a storm. Sound Spectrum claims 120,000 titles (30,000 of them classical), orders filled within 24 hours, online or fax ordering, and US orders to you within 3-7 days. These are good things. What's not so good is the less-than-smart search mechanism that doesn't tell you it needs last-name-first to deliver the titles you seek, and the plain-text database that doesn't provide release dates, labels, or genre clues. It's ok, but there's better.
Content: 5
Aesthetic: 4
TechnoSmart: 1
Author: Karen Wickre
Sound Spectrum
If you don't need instant gratification, music is an easy shopping goal on the Net. You can often search your chosen site by title or artist, sometimes by genre, and order up a storm. Sound Spectrum claims 120,000 titles (30,000 of them classical), orders filled within 24 hours, online or fax ordering, and US orders to you within 3-7 days. These are good things. What's not so good is the less-than-smart search mechanism that doesn't tell you it needs last-name-first to deliver the titles you seek, and the plain-text database that doesn't provide release dates, labels, or genre clues. It's ok, but there's better.
Content: 5
Aesthetic: 4
TechnoSmart: 1
Author: Karen Wickre
Soundscape Gallery of Unique Audio + Video
Unclear on their own concept, the folks at Soundscape Gallery in Santa Rosa, CA, have created a page of brochures about audio and video products they sell. Technophiles can read the specs (it helps to know model numbers) on stereo speakers, video cams, video projectors, stands and racks. No comparisons or consumer info here, unfortunately. If you're in the mood to buy, you can send email (unsecured) or call (M-F hours, some Saturday), and Soundscape will ship. For those in the know, this could be a useful place to collect hard data, but that's all.
Content: 5
Aesthetic: 4
TechnoSmart: 1
Author: Karen Wickre
Speak To Me Catalog
The unifying element to each item sold on this site is that it speaks. Ahhh, the wonders of microchip technology. The catalog runs from the serious - tapeless recorders - to the humorous - swearing keychains - to the bizarre - a talking spatula. Talking spatula? At this point, we should all collectively say "Go figure," and get on with our lives. Complete online ordering capability, but the graphics are way-bad. Lots of audio clips, though.
Content: 6
Aesthetic: 4
TechnoSmart: 3
Author: Wayne Cunningham
The Blue Armadillo
Once upon a time, there was a meek, blue armadillo destined to become roadkill. After nearly meeting his fate at the hands of an 18-wheeler, he started pumping up and turned over a new leaf. Now known as Blue Dude, he spends time surfing, rollerblading and posing for a line of T-shirts. Any or all of nine in the series can be yours -- or you can even rep the whole line. Cute designs and a story line make this an appealing notion.
Content: 5
Aesthetic: 5
TechnoSmart: 2
Author: Karen Wickre
The Great Fax Cover Sheet Co.
Hankering for a remote control holder? How about fax cover sheet cartoons or funny fax post-its for your outgoing communiques? Or can we interest you in a pair of rolling scissors for ease of cutting? If you want any of these things, stop on by and order them here. You can e-mail your order, call the office, or send your request to a BBS. (Naturally, you can also fax.) The items are adequately described, but this would be a more useful site if it offered more products. As it is, it's not bookmark quality - nor is there a compelling reason to visit.
Content: 5
Aesthetic: 4
TechnoSmart: 2
Author: Karen Wickre
The MegaMall
To put it simply, MegaMall is just a tad overblown. There are impressive front doors, navigational text, and graphics aplenty, but these are merely a facade for a hodgepodge of small vendors with fairly scant offerings. The categories are many (antiques, jewelry, sporting goods, pets), but the pickings few. MegaMall focuses on unappealing text blocks and has few pictures. Also, a fair part of its site actively promotes the mall to new clients, which lessens a customer-friendly feel. If this is what shopping online is all about, "traditional" malls don't have much to worry about.
Content: 4
Aesthetic: 1
TechnoSmart: 2
Author: Karen Wickre
The Sound Garden
Sorry Chris Cornell groupies, this site has nothing to do with the Seattle band of similar nomenclature. The Sound Garden is actually a Baltimore, Maryland independent music store, with a huge stock of new, used, rare and bizarre records, tapes and CDs. The site sports record reviews, press clippings, special deals, a best seller list, a searchable catalog database (with instant-ordering capability), a listening booth, and even an in-store "sneaky spy-cam." Mail-order is easy as a mouse click, and the Sound Gardeners claim that if they don't have an item in stock, they'll find it for you within days.
Content: 5
Aesthetic: 5
TechnoSmart: 2
Author: Miles Orkin
TruCost
Do not, under any circumstances, buy a computer or any hardware or software without hitting this site first. TruCost, "Your one-stop shopping center for the lowest computer and software prices," has an astounding catalog of computer equipment from more companies than you knew existed, all available at dealer cost. No hype, no flashy photos; just specs, and prices. Even if you're not ready to buy, you'll be impressed by TruCost's exhaustive list of links to vendors and toll-free numbers for service and support. Best of all, TruCost won't cram your mailbox with redundant catalogs three times a week.
Content: 6
Aesthetic: 6
TechnoSmart: 2
Author: Miles Orkin
Violet
This classy looking site that makes just a few products very appealing. The slightly-precious categories ("Cozy" for two styles of comforter, "Covet" for earrings and a necklace, "Handy" for a toothbrush holder) are still lovely to behold on the screen, and the products are not items you run into every day - as the prices will testify. Even so, the images of the products, their brief and informative descriptions, including price, will surely whet the appetite of shopping devotees. Ordering is easy; you can choose to charge by phone or fax if you're nervous about credit card numbers. Put your bookmark here.
Content: 6
Aesthetic: 3
TechnoSmart: 3
Author: Karen Wickre
WebSnoop
Been getting junk e-mail lately? WebSnoop may be the culprit; it's one of a series of five applications marketed by WebAudit to online marketeers wanting to increase traffic. Though I was surprised to see an actual site for what I consider nefarious business, there are people both eager to market and be marketed to. Too bad WebSnoop doesn't provide a little more how-to detail up front; it just links to the other apps - five for $36 total! - and some breathless self-promotion. Thanks but no thanks.
Content: 4
Aesthetic: 5
TechnoSmart: 1
Author: Karen Wickre
Welcome to Cybershop
Cybershop's bold, busy, colorful, and loaded with lots of graphics and buttons that take you s-l-o-w-l-y to products listed by manufacturer (!) under generic categories like bathroom, bedroom, electronics, gourmet food, toys, and so on. You can also do a custom search of the Cybershop database - but be prepared for long waits, annoying mandatory jumps from product description to price (why don't they appear on the same page?), and unfamiliar product names. This site is about as much fun as waiting for a clerk to get off the phone to wait on you.
Content: 4
Aesthetic: 2
TechnoSmart: 1
Author: Karen Wickre
Welcome to ISN
Internet Shopping Network is a Web pioneer, with handsome graphics; clear, readable screens; a sensible directory of products; and shopping categories. Its shopping categories make sense for the Web: computer and photography gear, specialty foods, flowers, home and office accessories. Being a trailblazer doesn't ensure volume or quality, however; there's still no compelling reason to buy here. But at least you won't develop a headache by browsing, and ISN will be worth visiting more than once.
Content: 5
Aesthetic: 3
TechnoSmart: 2
Author: Karen Wickre
Welcome to Web Warehouse
Web Warehouse is kind of like a strip mall , and most of its shops are holding a closeout sale. WW wants to grow, of course, but at the moment, the mix of vendors includes purveyors of luggage, watches, an off-brand long-distance service, diamonds, coffee, books, office furniture, and, of course, flowers. Each of these hedges its bets by only offering you a few items. You don't get to pick through much, and you don't know why. Let's hope the strip mall goes away, or gets smarter before too long.
Content: 4
Aesthetic: 1
TechnoSmart: 1
Author: Karen Wickre
West Coast Paper Company
The Paper Channel is West Coast Paper Company's web site, dedicated to the manufacture and sale of paper. The problem inherent in this concept is that one of the great things about choosing paper is handling samples to feel their unique weight, shade, and texture. The product catalog section contains photos of the packaging, but tells very little about the actual physical characteristics of the paper. Those who are familiar with WCPC's stock might want to order online, but those who haven't used their paper will probably want a tangible sample of the product prior to purchase.
Content: 5
Aesthetic: 5
TechnoSmart: 2
Author: Rachel Saidman
Wine Country Gourmet
Looking for some garlic stuffed Sevillanas Olives? How about hot pepper jellies? If you can't make it to the California Wine Country, this online shop will deliver those and other fine (and unusual) products to your door. At a loss as to what to do with distinctively California cuisine ingredients like fruit chutneys? Don't be too embarrassed. After all, recipes are provided on the site just for that purpose. Chutney Spiced Gingerbread sounds especially tasty. Order online or call the 800 number. And don't forget the vino, sold separately.
Content: 5
Aesthetic: 5
TechnoSmart: 2
Author: David Pescovitz
World Wide Diamond Source
Call me skeptical, but diamonds don't strike me as something folks are jumping to buy on the net. But if you're feeling compelled, you can do it here (at least, you can e-mail an order to be verified within 24 hours of providing a credit card number). Whether you want cut diamonds, engagement rings, studs, or tennis bracelets, there is a long list of item numbers and prices to choose from. If on the other hand you'd like to learn a little more about the gems before you start shopping, this is a helpful place to begin. There's a short FAQ and info on the cut, color, clarity, and carat-weight - the 4 Cs of diamondology.
Content: 5
Aesthetic: 5
TechnoSmart: 2
Author: Karen Wickre
X-Large Inte(r)network
For today's young suburban fashion plate, X-large brings it's entire clothing catalog to the web. Unfortunately, it just scanned in the catalog, viewable one bandwidth-eating page at a time. The site is much more than a catalog, though, developing an image of the company as a propagator of irreverent, angst-ridden, youth culture. From video game manuals to an essay praising the merits of liquor, X-Large runs down what's hip in sound bite sized chunks. It has a small archive of sounds and video, and a very active open forum which is mostly a discussion of Hip-Hop. The site is very cool, definitely worth a visit even if you are not interested in their catalog.
Content: 6
Aesthetic: 5
TechnoSmart: 2
Author: Brian Bearden
eMall
eMall is not exactly ready for prime time. The promising front-end covers a multitude of sins - skimpy product lines, unappealing text blocks describing those products, dead-end screens just two layers from the top. Basically, it's an inch-deep cover for just a few items, and not ones generally considered "must-have." The assortment is strange, too: mens' suits, gardening magazines, T-shirts, wooden picture frames, the ubiquitous Web florist, spices, coffee and tea, commercial leasing - not exactly a "full-service" mall. Next time, eMall, get your vendors in a row before declaring yourselves open for business.
Content: 4
Aesthetic: 2
TechnoSmart: 1
Author: Karen Wickre
marketplaceMCI HOME
MCI is making a valorous attempt to corral online shoppers with its Marketplace. There are several points in its favor: It's signed up a few name-brand retailers (Hammacher Schlemmer, Lillian Vernon, Nordstrom, Footlocker, Mac, and PC Zones); the page is fairly easy to navigate and comprehend; and you don't have to register in order to browse. But none of the retailers offers a full line of products, or anything approximating their (paper) catalog selection. It's clearly just the beginning, and though you may not be tempted to shop here yet, chances are good you'll want to come back.
Content: 5
Aesthetic: 2
TechnoSmart: 2
Author: Karen Wickre