I found this book to be insightful and inspirational. It was extremely helpful to have all strategies explained with entry and exit points for stock splits in one place! I really liked the inspirational sayings on each page. A lot of trading is in your mind and training your mind to be positive is essential. A lot of good information in one place. I also was able to meet the author and his passion for the stock market and in helping others succeed is fantastic.

Let me start by saying that this is a good book. One might accuse the author of false advertising because there is very little about "online" stock trading. Sure, there are a few references to a couple of sites, but the author admits that he relies on a human broker for times when the market is moving fast. This book is about trading options on stock splits. The latter half of the book comprises his strategies, which ALL have to do with trading options on companies that are about to have, or have had, stock splits. The bottom line, however, is that the basics are very well explained and this is a very worthwhile book.

I was very impressed with the content of the book and the way the author presents material in an understandable and approachable way. After reading the book I have already started to use the strategy of buying leap options on companies before the split date of the stock. I recently purchased options on Rambus and made over 400% return on a minimal investment. I was able to personally meet Mr. Larson recently at a local seminar and was very impressed with his attitude and enthusiasm for helping traders manage their own portfolios and outperform the market. I would highly recommend this book to traders of all experience levels.

I selected this book from the reading list of my e-commerce class in BUS 240 at California State University, San Jose. It seemed applicable to today's evolving business environment and relevant to what we have been learning in our MBA program. I found it to be a very encompassing and well written book. The authors broke it up into four distinct parts: Introduction, The New Models of Wealth Creation, The Human and Relationship Elements of Digital Capital, and Strategies for Business Webs. Each section is nearly capable of standing on its own. Some are more relevant to this class than others, but all are tied together in a coherent whole. Depending on who is reading the book, more may be gained from certain sections than from others. I personally learned something from each section or, at the very least, found myself thinking about the ideas presented in a new light.

Following the basic introduction, the book conducts an in depth examination of the five core business models for e-commerce. Through detailed examples, the reader gains tremendous insight into the theories that drive these models. This was an engagingly well organized presentation and left me with a firm grasp on how the various models operate. This is an excellent read for both current and potential managers.

The last two sections of the book were disappointing in that they were nowhere near as detailed or informative as the second section. The examples were minimal and the discussion relatively short. As I was reading them, I found myself asking for clarification on some points. Unfortunately, the authors did not provide it in this book. Not to say that these sections weren't good, because they were quite informative as far as a basic understanding of the concepts. The depth of coverage, however, left something to be desired.

Overall, this was a very good book, for both students and managers alike. Even managers of companies that have already entered the e-commerce market are likely to find valuable information within its pages. The business model descriptions and tours through existing companies to illustrate each were invaluable. However, I think they could have expanded upon the last two sections and given the reader some deeper insight into these concepts. I also would have liked some real world examples as illustrations. These sections were so short and the business model section so much longer and expansive, it almost seems as if the title is a bit inappropriate. Aside from that, I would highly recommend this book to anyone interested in learning more about the models and strategies behind companies today?s e-commerce world.

'Digital Capital' offers startups, consultants, and educators a structured look at the micro-economics of b-webs (business webs utilizing Internet technologies).

The well-written, referenced, and structured chapters span in 4 parts:

++ 1- Introduction- value introduction through business webs.

++ 2- New Models of Wealth Creation- agoras, aggregations, value chains, alliances, and distributive networks.

++ 3- The Human and Relationship Elements of Digital Capital- people, and marketing.

++ 4- Strategies for Business Webs- how to weave a b-web, and harvesting digital capital.

Strengths include: the balanced dry (?unemotional) writing style; the excellent use of tables (perhaps best examples seen this year) and figures; the relative depth of the b-web framework and content (b-web strategy design, marketing, staffing etc..).

Unfortunately, about 25% pagecount reduction is possible for the content; and there are several technical errors (e.g. EDI not started in 90s, and Fraunhofer Institute is not just an industrial electronics research company, to name two). Also, perhaps links with formal micro-economic modeling would further strengthen the b-web framework (to this reviewer, it felt a bit MBA-made-up speak, at times (!)).

Overall, a useful mature look at the dynamic economics of b-webs in the global marketplace.

Digital Capital is one of the few business books that dare address the central issue for most companies today: How to establish competitively-advantaged business models for serving customers that capture the power of the Internet to work with others. Anyone who doesn't know what they want to do for an Internet-based business model or doesn't like the one they have will get great benefit from this book.

Like Blown to Bits, Digital Capital looks squarely at the economic impact of the Internet on existing business models. But Digital Capital goes further in laying out the necessary steps to build on five business models that have been working that involve creating business networks that are Internet enabled (b-webs in the parlance of this book).

You will instantly recognize the five business model types, because the authors provide lots of examples (at least some of which will be familiar to you) and lists of characteristics of each type.

You will also know how to go from where you are to reaching one of these archetypes by the strategy directions the authors provide. The only drawback of this section is that the language gets a little b-schoolish (and full of very long words).

The conceptual basis of the work is sound. The only two points that were not discussed were (1) how these models might evolve into more powerful models in the future, and (2) how they might merge with each other.

Where the book is at its best is in helping you think through how to add other companies into a related web of interests to get more done -- thinking that goes well beyond the well-known outsourcing mindset.

Good luck with improving your Internet-based business model! Keep in mind that technology will evolve rapidly and enable some new business models that can only be dreamed about today in just 3-5 years. So be sure to look at the irresistible forces of technology development in thinking ahead. The current crash of the dot coms is just the beginning of what will be a period of enormous innovation and progress.

Cotsakos writes in plain, yet entertaining English and starts with the basics of computers, the Internet, and investing--a definite benefit for the novice online investor. A quick and relatively easy read, the book does a pretty good job of explaining some more sophisticated aspects of investing. Cotsakos' analogy of purchasing a new car to explain options is particularly effective. The book tails off when it comes to explaining other hedging strategies, although it is not the focus of this book. Overall, I would (and already did) recommend this book to novice online investors.

This brand new 223 page book teaches you how to easily and successfully use E-trading to your best advantage. There's not a whole lot of technical jargon or theory and detail that you probably wouldn't use anyway, but it provides you with the ammunition to help you succeed. It provides guidance on buying the right computer, how to use it, Internet Service Providers and goes on to help you set up your account, participate in short and long-term plans, bonds, stocks, futures, options and mutual funds. You'll be shown how to use your computer for setting up your best financial plan. This is something beginners really need and often fail to take the time to do. The book is very informative and fun to read. Along the way Mr. Cotsakos throws in some commercials for his own products, but they don't have to be purchased for successful trading. Overall, this book is an up-to-date, valuable source of information that can only benefit your successful E-Trading. Most investors can benefit by this book, even those who think they know it all.

I bought this book because I had been investing off-line for some time, but the thought of actually trading over the Internet terrified me. This is the perfect book for anyone in that situation: Cotsakos does not assume that you know anything at all about computers, or about investing, for that matter. He walked me through the basic steps (finding an Internet Service Provider, for example) with idiot-proof instructions.

In addition to being extremely useful to novice online investors, the book is a pleasure to read. My sister, who has never bought a stock in her life, read most of it simply for amusement value. I recommend this book to everyone.

I've never had a better understanding of the future of e-commerce on the Internet! This book should be required reading in all high schools and colleges! It's a quick and easy read and a great little book!

If after reading this book you're not convinced that E-Commerce will be the next "Industrial Revolution", you probably don't believe Neil Armstrong walked on the moon! The back cover says it all: "I wish you all the success you permit yourself to have."

Awesome book about how the internet and e-commerce are changing the world as we know it today. The internet is the Model-T of the 2000's and it can mean some serious income for you. This book will change the way you view the future. Fast and easy read!

I just received Larry Chase's book! Thank you is not enough but - Thank You Larry Chase!

There are so many web sites and books on web marketing but this is the "Essential" guide. If all of our web customers would read this we would not have to explain how business is done on the Internet!

I thought I could just read the chapters that were interesting to me but I find myself reading it cover to cover. Already your tips have saved time. As I put your suggestions, tips and wisdom to work I am sure that it will also increase our profits!

Judith

I am one third of the way through your book which I recently bought from Amazon (stayed up till 3.30am last night) and quite frankly the content of this book really excites me. I have read many books on the Internet and they are all the same. This one is different though, it is superbly written that even I can understand and every page contains a gem of information. All the other British books I've read on the subject are written by techies for techies not for the businessman who wants to use the Internet to help his business along. Finally I must congratulate the Author on a fantastic book well written.

Larry Chase's exceptional book really opened my eyes to all that's possible in marketing on the Internet. Other books were dry or so technical, I couldn't make heads or tails of them. Larry communicates hundreds of practical, proven techniques in language all of us can understand. I don't know of any business that wouldn't benefit immensely from Larry's on-target advice.

As an online bookseller since 1998, I have often wished for a friend to sit beside me, guiding me through the complicated maze of selling used, rare and collectible books .... Stephen Windwalker's new book, Selling Used Books Online, is that friend for new booksellers and seasoned veterans alike.

Windwalker gives the reader all the inside tips and information needed to succeed in online bookselling. He begins with the basics, including background and history, and progresses on to the nuts and bolts of the business such as finding your books and supplies and building your inventory. Much of the book is devouted to selling on Amazon.com, one of the most profitable selling venues available to seller's today. But most of the information in the book also applies to just about any sales venue on the Internet.

If you are new to the business of online bookselling, this book is an absolute must-buy. It will teach you the basics and will continue to provide useful advice and valuable information as you grow and progress in your online business. Veteran sellers also will appeciate this source of bookselling information at their fingertips.

Buy it, read it, absorb what you've read, then keep it by your computer as a friend while you list, sell and profit from online bookselling. In my opinion, it's the best book out there for aspiring, beginning and veteran online booksellers.

Oh, how I wish I'd had Stephen Windwalker's book when I first started selling books online!! Actually, it's a dream come true. I used to sit around and say, "Gee, I wish someone, an experienced seller, would write a book about this." This book really and truly eliminates guesswork about how to sell, the ins and outs (believe me he thinks of everything!). I especially like the section on the myriad places online that a seller can sell! I felt like a kid in a candy store when Windwalker's book arrived.

He will tell you things that no one else will about selling online, things you really want to know if you're even halfway considering selling books online.

Do you wonder where to get books to sell? He will surprise you with his suggestions. One favorite section is where he gives you the e-mail addresses for shipping carriers, bookselling venues, shipping supplies (that alone has saved me money already).

This is a very fun business. One of the things I like about it is the nice people you interact with, book buyers and sellers like Stephen Windwalker.He writes in a friendly style--you definitely "get it" that he genuinely wants to help you and see you succeed, and he goes into a lot of detail in an organized manner to help you do just that. It's a must-have book, I think, for the novice as well as seasoned seller.

This book is VERY comprehensive, easy to read, it'll inspire you to sell books and tell you step-by-step how to do it successfully!

Windwalker's Selling Used Books Online. This is a great book. I would rate it 20 stars. I wished I had read this book 9 months ago. I believe I would have made thousands more dollars selling books with what useful information that is in this book. This not only gives tips but also tells where to go for buying and selling. This a booksellers bible. If you are thinking about selling books online this is the book. This is a great book if you are collecting books also. I can not say enough about this book. Go buy two. Give one to a friend.

The title sounded very daunting - E-Business Intelligence. What on earth had I got myself into! A daily user of computers, comfortable with a mouse, starting to use the web... I thought I would take the leap. What a pleasant surprise!!

The book explains in normal terminolgy how we can all use the wealth of information locked away in our databases. There are many aspects that I enjoyed about the book, not the least of which it was so easy to read. What made it this way was how the authors constantly gave clear examples of the key points they were making. They used real customers with real problems with real solutions.

For example they talk about "Mastercard mastering its data volumes". A company that has grown its data volumes by a massive 400% since 1995 and has thousands of users online everyday.

The authors also take the reader back to basics. They provide simple and clear explanations of processes and concepts that for many could be incomprehesible. They include graphs, hypotethical examples and anecdotal stories where ever possible. Those savvy with the ins and outs of the Business Intelligence world will even find this useful, so well is it done. They will also get quite a kick out of reading how some organisations are using BI to better manage data, clients and consequently profit. For example Eli Lilly, Hertz and eBay.

The clear explanation will enable any reader of the book to quickly understand, see the value and start thinking about what they could or should be doing in their own information world.

I have been inspired to look at what can be done within the organsiation I work for. Just how much better could I manage and work with my clients if I was able to access and use the information locked away on all of them?

A brilliant read for anyone who has clients,information, a computer and a desire to make a profit!

I've read E-Business Intelligence twice and think it's a thorough overview of the subject of extracting intelligence from data. The book shows the different ways companies are actually exploiting information to help give their business a competitive advantage -- as opposed to simply automating the running of their operations.

Most information books today take a "stovepiped" view of the organization and talk only about one part of a company -- doing supply chain, customer relationship management, sales force automation, etc. What I like about this book is that it's holistic. It shows how us of these pieces fit together. It's a rare sideways (or transverse) way of looking at information exploitation.

The case studies are not highly detailed, but they do provide enough detail to illustrate "the point" behind each example, and they do stimulate the reader into thinking of new ways that he/she can exploit the information that they most likely already have in their information systems.

I think it's a must-read for business executives who are trying to get a handle on what's possible with today's technology and for information technology staff trying to get the business perspective on IT.

I have not generally recommended a business book for several years, and never anything French, but...

With all the books about e-this and e-that, you tire quickly of the torrent of buzzwords and cliches endured to read anything about sharing data on the internet, make better use of corporate data, new business paradigms, etc.

This book actually elucidates how you can leverage all the new and extant technologies going forward to great effect while staying grounded with recent case examples. Sounds simple, but try to find this information anywhere else.

The business world will change immensely because of the internet and the exponential increases in both the amount of data available and the need for business intelligence. In the years to come, management, especially in highly competitive environments, will live or die depending on their understanding of the concepts aptly explained in this book.

The best literature from France since Dumas!

Mr. Schwartz is the author of Webonomics. In Digital Darwinism, we are presented with "7 breakthrough business strategies for surviving in the cutthroat web economy." They are:

1. Build a grand that stands for solving problems 2. Allow your prices to fluctuate freely with supply and demand. 3. Let affiliate partners do your marketing for you. 4. Create valuable bundles of information and services. 5. Sell custom-made products online, then manufacture them. 6. Add new value to transactions between buyers and sellers. 7. Integrate digital commerce with absolutely everything.

From a technical point of view, I found little new in these strategies, but perhaps that is because I work in a technology field. For those who are trying to bring a "old economy" business into the "new economy," this book will be a valuable source of ideas for the inevitable culture shock.

The writing style is clean and concise, and the ideas are clearly presented, illustrated with examples, and brought to us in a believable story form. Even the typeface and page layout make this book easy to read. At the end of each chapter appears a short summary of the key points which can easily serve as a quick refresher when thinking through the implementation of new strategies.

In the end, one must remember that the very lessons of the author will also render his book short lived. Things will change (and are already)! But there are definitely some principles for how to think about this new, evolving digital world that will help us move forward and maintain our position in the evolution of this digital world.

I have noticed two broad manners in which books about e-business are generally written. One is very academic - they are actually written by academics, the other is very casual - usually this is the case of books written by journalists, or business consultants. Both styles have their virtues. However, the academic style is sometimes too theoretical, with too much webonomics and too little business strategy. On the other hand, the casual style is sometimes too obvious - the proposed strategies are common sense, making it the kind of book that you can easily read while on the beach, or while riding the bus. Mr. Schwartz's merit is that he successfully combines the two approaches - theoretical and strategic. He talks about branding, dynamic pricing and value bundling (quoting a study by Erik Brynjolfsson, a distinguished MIT professor), but he also tells us how some of the most successful Web companies have actually made it. "Digital Darwinism" is therefore authoritative, and at the same time entertaining. I also think that such an endeavour justifies a second edition of the book, in which I would expect Mr. Schwartz to expand on the concepts that he has introduced, and add more success stories (since he has written an article about the Web initiatives that have proven to be the biggest blunders in e-commerce, he could tell us more about failure, as well).

In this book, Evan I. Schwartz examines competition in the world of Web commerce, today's most rapidly changing business environment. He compares this competitive struggle to the battle between species that occurs in the natural environment. He concludes that the companies that succeed must be better to survive, much like the survival of the fittest in nature. Whatever market niche they select, they have to be "smarter, faster, more innovative, and more adaptable" than ever, so that they do better than their competitors. After examining the successes and failures of many different e-commerce competitors, the author identifies seven key strategies to survive and thrive on the Web. Digital Darwinism uses detailed case studies and examples to show how different companies have employed the stated principles successfully. Each chapter concludes with a brief summary of the major points to apply, based on these examples of success. It is a kind of example of "digital Darwinism" itself, in that the author applies the value-added principles he advocates to create an easy-to-read book. We [...] recommend this well-organized book to executives who manage or do business with Web-based corporations.

dot.bomb: My Days and Nights at an Internet Goliath is David Kuo's first-person account of his tenure at Value America. Kuo's role at Value America was that of Director of Corporate Communications, also known as mouthpiece to the chairman. Value America was an early Internet retailer that crashed and burned quite quickly after its IPO in early 1999. The story of Value America is inherently the story of its founder and chairman, Craig Winn. Winn was the typical big vision salesman, one who could talk and impress people about the big picture, but couldn't execute things effectively. Although Winn saw the potential of the Internet to transform all areas of commerce, especially the retail sector, his visions of greatness and riches never took flight.

Winn's mistake (of which there are many) was that he got caught up in his own hubris. The sad part of the Value America debacle is that it really did have a chance to do something big -- really big. But, as Kuo details in chapter after chapter, it was Winn who often got in the way of the company's ability to achieve its true potential. Kuo is a former political speech writer, and his sometime self-deprecating writing style is engaging and humorous, making the book difficult to put down.

The book starts with Kuo's arrival at Value America, and in just a few pages, we see that Value America had all of the trappings that ensured the demise of most dot.coms; hype, overpaid management who are detached from reality, executive jets, inconsistent and constantly changing strategies, lying and cheating, executive hubris, and a long list of unsatisfied customers. Ultimately, it was the overpowering and unbending personality
of Craig Winn that brought the company down. In deference to Winn, it was much more than just his personality that brought down Value America; however, his personality, which was one of his greatest assets, was also his biggest detriment.

Craig Winn was one part businessman and one part preacher. His close ties with Jerry Falwell and Ralph Reed, as the book details, are no coincidence. Winn's ultimate vision was not just to create a multi-billion dollar company; he also set his sites on both the Governorship of Virginia and, ultimately, the United States presidency. Winn based his presidential aspirations on his meeting and conversations -- which were quite brief
-- with personalities such as William Bennett and Henry Kissinger. (I once met Ray Manzarek, keyboardist for the Doors, in a Los Angeles supermarket, but I left my aspirations for rock and roll stardom in aisle 5. Perhaps if Winn would have done the same, and stayed in touch with reality, he might have been more than a momentary paper billionaire.)

As with any book written by an insider, one has to keep in mind the subjective nature of Kuo's narrative. Nonetheless, as someone who has worked internally and as a consultant at several dot.com startups, I found that much of the book sounded familiar and believable.

Although the story of Value America is somewhat dated in Internet time, it still is a fascinating read of how something so right could go so wrong.

Dot.bomb has it all: a great plot, amazing characters, jaw-dropping twists and some real insights into the Internet Age -- and it's a true story, written by an insider who also happens to be a gifted storyteller. I can't recommend it more highly.

It's a cliche, but I really wasn't able to put this book down. It describes the rise and fall of Value America at a galloping pace that conveys the headlong vertigo of the dot.com gold rush. Its heroes and villains are so much larger than life it's hard to believe they're real people. But Kuo not only has an ear for telling anecdotes and convincing personal details, but an obvious empathy for all of the people he worked with -- including Value America's chairman, a megalomaniac with a heart of gold. Kuo is also refreshingly honest about his own role in this techno-tragicomedy.

The book reads like a combination of Douglas Coupland ("Generation X"), Michael Lewis ("The New New Thing") and Joe Klein ("Primary Colors"). That makes it a riveting read, laugh-out-loud funny, lightly introspective and keenly astute about the intensely political nature of building a business.

Kuo's you-are-there perspective adds extra punch to his surprising conclusion: while you can't believe the hype about the Internet, it really is going to change the world.

When I first picked this book up, I wasn't sure what to expect, or whether I would enjoy reading it given what's happening in the world today. I was pleasantly surprised on both counts. Dot.bomb is both a welcome diversion from today's headlines and a reminder of the positive potential tomorrow holds.

Dot Bomb chronicles the rise and fall of Value America, an internet retailer that went public in April 1999. The book starts in the middle: Kuo joined the company as an employee a month after its IPO, so his summary of pre-IPO events is quite condensed and incomplete (if my dot-com experiences are any guide, the pre-IPO times may have been more chaotic). Clearly, much of Kuo's reporting about the first and last days of Value America comes from interviews with fellow Value America employees and investors, and I suspect the book lacks some perspective due to the apparent exclusion of input from anyone technical.

The book is extremely readable, perhaps the best-written non-fiction book I've read this year.

Of course, I am biased: I have worked as a consultant for several dot-com startups over the past few years, and much of what I read sounded extremely familiar. I shook my head with understanding, and felt like a fellow insider, as I read about the absurd pressures that came from the artificial "internet economics" in which the experts claimed that capturing "revenue" or "customers" was more important than even a remote prospect of profitable operations.

Kuo's book isn't just fascinating because of what it says about the dot-com craze and the irrational market forces that fueled irrational and schizophrenic actions by companies. It's also a fascinating tale of a charismatic company founder whose greatest strengths are also his greatest weaknesses. It's an insightful tale of human relationships in which people can't tell ugly truths to their friends.

As I mentioned, Kuo is an excellent writer (or else has help from excellent editors). I read the entire book in a single afternoon and evening.

Anyone who has experienced the "dot-com" and "dot-bomb" business world should enjoy this book. Those who mocked the rise and fall of the dot-com culture will find the book quite validating. Even dot-com millionaires will likely still enjoy reading the book.
And in the end, anyone who plans to start a business -- on the internet or on Main Street -- should read this book; at the end of each page, ask yourself, "is this me?"

I've been selling on Ebay for a while and I picked up this book hoping to find some help with making my selling work better. That is really not the focus of this book so I can't fault it for not finding what I wanted. However, if you're a newbie to Ebay and want to find out what's going on without actually logging on and clicking all of the buttons, then this is a good starting place. Like all "Dummies" books it covers the basics but doesn't go very deeply into anything. And truthfully, you can learn 98% of what's in this book just by logging onto Ebay and clicking around. Ebay really is pretty easy to use. Oh yes, like most Dummies books they load it down with lame jokes. I just wish they'd leave that ... out. In summary, not an outstanding book but good at what it's designed to do.

Ebay is great for buying things and I have been selling a few items. This book covers all the little details that are easy to forget. I find myself jumping around from chapter to chapter, looking up things I need to clarify. The answers are all there, and I keep the book next to my computer. I'm selling more on ebay now, and the tips I got from the book are helping me get higher prices for my items then I did before. Even though ebay is constantly changing - this edition is updated with all the new features.

As an eBay beginner I found this book extremely useful. It's written by three eBay experts, and has something for everyone, whether you are a beginner like me, or a pro. It's full of tips that teach you how to spot the really good stuff, bid to win, and complete smooth sales transactions. You'll learn how to time an auction for maximum exposure, create persuasive sale pages, spot trends, and research buying and selling advice. I am a fan of all the Dummies books I have purchased and this is no exception.