ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times
DATE: Thursday, November 14, 1996 TAG: 9611140030
SECTION: BUSINESS PAGE: B-6 EDITION: METRO
COLUMN: Computer Bits
SOURCE: STAFF REPORT
THE NEW DIRECTORY also rates sites for content, ease of use, speed and value.
The book publisher Prentice Hall has released a new softback Directory of Online Business Information that business users of the Internet might find valuable. The directory could be of particular interest to those people who prefer not to take their chances with the sometimes unreliable and often confusing keyword searches on the Internet.
Besides its availability in softback, the directory is constantly updated on the World Wide Web. The directory not only lists sites and their Internet addresses but also rates them on their content, ease of use, speed and value.
The directory begins with short chapters on the history and workings of the Internet, search strategies for busy people and a listing of essential reference tools for the computer desktop. Other chapters provide information on Web sites divided into such topics as career advancement, personal finance, business services, business resources by industry, international business resources and fun places to go during the lunch hour.
A CD with the software for a 15-day free trial with Internet access provider EarthLink Network comes with the directory, which sells for $34.95.
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A recent survey by Robert Half International Inc., a California and New York staffing services firm, found that more than half of the executives polled said that time accessing the Internet for personal reasons was undermining their employees' effectiveness on the job.
The firm said that such time theft may indicate deeper problems with an employee's initiative, work ethic or job satisfaction and should be discussed with the employee sooner rather than later.
Now, you employees who are looking for a Web site to break the monotony of the workday and who are fans of Public Television's "This Old House" series, take a look at the This Old House Web site. It provides information about renovation projects featured on the television show and information on such topics as tools, architecture, building products, landscaping, building techniques and real estate and finances.
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CNET: The Computer Network has launched an on-line service, NEWS.COM, dedicated entirely to technology news. The site contains round-the-clock coverage of breaking computer industry news and may be reached either through CNET's home page or by going directly to the new service's Web address.
Departments in the new electronic magazine include: The Net, Computing, Intranets, Business, Newsmakers and The Rumor Mill. Services include searching and shareware.
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Bell Atlantic says businesses, universities and governments across the Mid-Atlantic can now order the company's dedicated high-speed Internet access service. Customers can choose from several options ranging from 1.5 megabits per second to 34 megabits.
Some who have already signed onto the service are General Motors Acceptance Corp. in Philadelphia and Journal Newspapers and Marymount University in Washington, D.C. By the end of November all major markets in the Bell Atlantic region are to be on line with the service available in the entire region by early 1997.
TECHNOLOGY NEWS
http://www.news.com/
THIS OLD HOUSE
http:// pathfinder.com/Dz6sTtGFYAIA
You can contribute to this column or comment by sending an E-mail to biznews@roanoke.infi.net or calling 981-3393 or 981-3237 in the Roanoke Valley, or (800) 346-1234, ext. 393, outside the Roanoke area.
LENGTH: Medium: 74 linesby CNB