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An Online Account of Life In Baghdad

The internet has become a mighty force that feeds the curious masses populating its subsidiaries. As of late, an increasingly trendy subject has been that of a 29-year-old Islamic architect with a pseudonym of Salam Pax.

His "Dear Raed" weblog has become host to a number of online users scrambling to read the firsthand perspective of bombing raids in Iraq, as well as everyday life in the capital and the views of the average Iraqi citizen. The journal entries counterbalance the simulcast military view of the war received via radio and television transmission.

Salam's entries serve up his analysis of assorted domestic events that unfolded in Iraq beginning late last year. Elections, UN Inspections, first hand accounts of air raids, food supply shortages and price hikes are among the many topics he examines. There are those, however, who question the site's authenticity, and have suspicions that it is the masterminding of US or Iraqi propagandists.

Technology journalist Paul Boultin has researched the blog to determine it's level of authenticity. He began by comparing the headers of e-mail messages sent by Salam with others that originated in Iraq.

Boultin found that the net addresses appearing in the e-mail headers were similar to those used by others sending messages from Iraq. He was also able to determine that address Salam used to post updates came via Lebanon and may have originated directly in Iraq. Further indication may be that Salam's writing has regularly contradicted Western news reports about the situation in Baghdad and has continuously checked out.

The author himself issued response to doubters on March 21 by saying: "Please stop sending e-mails asking if I were for real, don't belive (sic) it? then don't read it."

"I am not anybody's propaganda ploy," he added, "well except my own."

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One Cool Camera

Kodak's introduction of their new OLED digital camera may indeed prove to be a major milestone in the display industry. The 3.1-megapixel Kodak LS633 is scheduled to launch - initially - in Europe and NOT the United States. Listing for approximately $399.00 the new camera merits the distinction of being the first commercially available with an OLED (organic light-emitting diode) display.

Invented by Kodak, OLED displays use phosphorescent organic, light-emitting elements rather than the standard liquid crystals.

A heavily observed emerging technology, the science behind the OLED display is a fascinating one. With recent developments of prototypes heating up, some onlookers say that the technology could revolutionize the display industry in a number of ways.

Researchers and scientists believe OLED technology will have many revolutionary uses in the very near future. Increased flexibility and affordability could result with the development of displays that can easily be fixed to a piece of plastic, laminated to a vehicle's windshield, or even placed on the sleeve of a soldier's uniform.

--PC Magazine

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The Facts About Cancer

Dr. E. C. Rost has launched a new site showcasing his two regional Cancer Centers. The new site provides detailed information for those who need to find out about cancer and treatment options. The site launched as part of a regional marketing campaign provided by The Kidd Group, including outdoor, TV and print advertising. Get the facts you need to know by logging on to www.ecrost.com. This is Dr Rost's second site design by 3W Studios. The CancerHope Foundation has been online for several years at CancerHope.com.

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The Brehon Institute Gets a Site Makeover  

The Brehon Institute has launched a site makeover this month. The new look was developed during the 3W / Kidd Group Creatathon last year as part of the institute's new marketing plan. Now - after a series of developments - the new look is up and live to the community.

The Brehon Institute for Family Services, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) corporation that is dedicated to improving the lives of children throughout the Florida Panhandle. Interested in checking out the new look? If so you can visit it by going to www.brehoninstitute.org. You can also read more about The Brehon Institute and their services in the area.

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$ Marketing News - MarketingSherpa Special Report

An Interesting Bit of Statistics

According to US Commerce Department figures released in late February, online retail sales leapt by 27% to $45.6 billion in 2002.

The entire category of retail sales, online and off, grew just 3.1%; so while online is a tiny slice of the pie (just 1.4% of all retail sales), you could call it the slice that's on steroids.

What's most fascinating about this growth is the fact that it's not newbie-driven anymore. You used to be able to say, "Well there are 10 million more Americans online so of course that will drive more sales."

In fact, the growth rate of Americans online leveled off last year just as eretail sales were soaring.

What made the difference? Smarter online marketing.

For more on this and other marketing case-studies, go to www.marketingsherpa.com

--Marketing Sherpa

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