MARKET SURVEY
Posted in 1994
Topics: Performance & Tuning, Installation, Setup & Upgrades, Jobs, Consulting & Announcements
We are a small, dedicated group of people desperately trying to get a video production company off the ground. Recently, we secured enough financial backing to produce several videos on the subject of personal computing. Because we don't have the financial resources to perform a traditional market analysis, we considered several alternatives and concluded that we should consult the people of the Internet, who are technically proficient and tend to be enthusiastic personal computer users. We would like you to indicate which three of the below described videos would appeal to you most. Please note that each video synopsis is numbered. When you are ready to send your response, please specify the numbers corresponding to your three video selections, and use commas to separate the numbers. For example, if you choose selections four, eight, and eleven, the body of your letter would simply be: 4,8,11 and nothing more. When you send back your response, please specify "MARKET SURVEY" in the subject field. Then, direct your response back to sngmedia@world.std.com. Please realize that this is not an advertisement, or solicitation. We simply would like to know your response. You will not be contacted further. Thank you in advance for your help and cooperation. Tom and Randi Fecker sngmedia@world.std.com. Please select three videos that interest you most: 1. The Internet Pilot's Guide A plain English guide to getting around on the Internet by veteran users. How to use Internet resources to send/receive e-mail, and to search for documents and files relating to a particular subject. How to use LISTSERVs, GOPHER, ARCHIE, WWW and WAIS. How to use FTP and Telnet to access remote computers for file transfers, remote logins, etc. Also, learning how to observe Internet's "netiquette." And how to access multimedia Mosaic bulletin boards. 2. How to Make Money at Home With Your PC I -- Successful PC-Based Businesses Meet five successful entrepreneurs who started their own home-based businesses using a PC. Includes businesses that provide typing services, mailing list management, horoscopes, bookkeeping, and even a software developer who does not know how to program -- he hires other people to implement his software designs. Includes ideas for two dozen home-based businesses you can start using your PC. 3. How to Make Money at Home With Your PC II: Portfolio Management. Whether you manage your own portfolio for investment gains, or you take on clients for a consulting fee, a PC can give you powerful tools for portfolio management. Meet three successful home-based portfolio managers who use their PCs to maximize profits. They'll inspire you, and share some tricks of the trade that can help you land clients and get started. We'll also show you how to determine which software applications will meet your needs, and which online services will satisfy your requirements. 4. How to Make Money at Home With Your PC III: Telecommuting Learn how to use your PC to telecommute to companies across America that are looking for specialized consultants with skills like bookkeeping, software design and programming, editorial and script writing, technical proofreading, graphic design, copywriting, and more. Includes interviews with three successful telecommuters who use their PCs, faxes, modems and phones to serve distant clients, and information about a telecommuting referral service that could help you find employers. 5. How to Upgrade Your Hard Drive, Step-By-Step From choosing your new hard drive, through ordering, installing and testing it. This plain English video shows you how to do the job correctly, one simple step at a time. Using industry-wide standards, we'll show you what all hard drives have in common. Includes how to determine if your controller will support a particular hard drive. How to remove the old drive, and install, format and test the new drive. Includes a discussion on the differences between the various standards. 6. How to Design Your Own PC You don't have to be an engineer to design and build the PC of your dreams. This plain English video shows you how to figure out the PC design that is best for you, how to specify components, how to make sure they'll work together, and where to buy them. You'll end up with a top quality system that will save you money. 7. How to Build Your Own PC Once you've designed your PC, we'll show you how to build it. The actual process will take you only a few hours. Using an easy-to- understand method, we'll show you how to inspect, install and test components. Includes tips and tricks from computer production experts. The technical skills can be easily mastered by almost anyone, and you probably already own most of the tools you would need. 8. How to Increase Your Computer's Memory This plain English video shows you how to determine whether your computer memory can be increased, and how to do the job correctly, one step at a time. You'll learn about industry-wide standards for memory, how to configure additional RAM and cache, how and where to buy RAM chips, and three ways to eliminate low-quality RAM chips. Covers all phases of the process from opening your computer, to testing your memory. Includes discussions on how to ensure your DOS set-up is able to access all available memory, and how to use various memory management software applications. 9. How to Use MS-Windows 3.1 This powerful graphical user interface can help you work smarter and faster, but the manual and the online tutorial that come with Windows leave many questions unanswered. This plain English, step- by-step video will show you how to install Windows on your computer and set it up to get optimum performance. 10. How to Find a Job in the Information Age A PC can give you an incredible advantage when you're searching for a new job -- or even a new career. But you have to know just how it can help you. In this video, an experienced employment counselor will show you how to tap the power in your PC to find job leads, create a winning resume and customized cover letters, tap into databases and find bulletin boards that will lead you to job openings, and use online services to research potential employers. 11. How to Install a Sound Card in Your Computer Here's how to add incredible stereo sound to your computer with step-by-step help. In plain English, you'll learn how to determine if your computer can support a sound card, how and where to buy a high-quality sound card. How to open your computer, and install and test the sound card. 12. How to Install a CD-ROM Drive in Your Computer Using simple tools, this plain English video shows you how to install a CD-ROM Drive in your computer. You'll learn how to make sure your computer can support a CD-ROM drive -- and what to do if it can't. Covers internal vs. external drives, how and where to buy a high quality CD-ROM drive, what you need to know about differing industry standards, preparing the drive bay, testing and trouble-shooting. Covers SCSI and IDE. 13. How to Fix the Most Common Computer Problems Your computer