This article and the three to follow in a series reflect my personal opinion from past experience and facts gathered for this informational platform. Let me make clear from the beginning that all hosting webmasters and or web site managers are not unethical. This series is intended to inform, educate or entertain the consumer and perhaps steer the unsuspecting client away from those who corrupt a tremendous marketing platform for entrepreneur and convenience to the consumer, commonly referenced as e-commerce.

It is a fluid world, the internet. There are billions and billions of bytes of information exchanging on a continuum. The internet has become the number one provider of information for a society who is insistent to have more information quicker about the products we buy, the place we wish to travel to and the knowledge we wish to gain. The internet is a wonderful tool placing a plethora of information on any subject you choose at your fingertips. In a few short years we have not only grown accustomed to this convenience; but have quickly become blindly dependant upon this instant access to information.

Along the way we have blindly given our trust to the vehicle of information instant gratification. Our children use the internet to gather a greater knowledge of their assignment at hand. Dad and Mom use the Internet at work to exchange information at lightening speed, with their counter parts sometimes half way around the world. The local department store uses their web site on the Internet to advertise special events and sales. They encourage customers to register for their online newsletter delivered to their email address and offering even more special promotions to those who frequent their Internet site. Easy enough and a genuinely good idea for promoting your business and rewarding the folks who keep your online doors open 24/7.

The convenience of eCommerce: More and more businesses are realizing the huge increase in their customer base and revenue stream by offering information or sales through their online presence; their web site. Could it be more convenient for both the customer and the business? I, as a customer, can peruse any number of online businesses to find the exact item I wish to purchase and have the option of delivery to my door or to another party, if I am buying a gift. No crowds, no traffic and no having to find a parking space. I can do something else, with all the time I saved by making my purchase online. Instead of heading out on a quest to not only find the item I need to purchase, but at the best price; I can put on my most comfortable hang around the house outfit (no heels), watch the DVD I bought; but have not had time to watch and eat junk (comfort) food.

This is convenience in the truest sense of the word, as far as I am concerned. I will admit to being an online shop-a-holic. I hardly ever give a thought to what information I provide my favorite retailer through their online web site. I have all the latest recommended virus protectors, trojan killers and key logger detectors; since losing a year's worth of work reference material. My thanks to some sixteen year old programming genius in Germany who decided to see how many computers he could zap. I must have been number one on his list, but now protected, I am free to surf the world wide web (www.) to my heart's delight. I can trust my computer to be a safe vehicle; while I wonder around the internet, many times landing at interesting new places. I trust the internet.