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Our ongoing Presidential election process is something we should all hope and pray is resolved on or before November 17. The accusations and assumptions will deteriorate and drive our nation into great division as/if this thing heats up. Both sides feel strongly about their issues, but some of the derogatory comments already expressed by both sides are starting to expand in what already is an ugly situation in Florida. There is a sense this is developing into a real time bomb.
With things heating up in Israel and our electoral democracy/rights in upheaval, we have all the ingredients for market turmoil. Although the latter is less formidable than the former... for the sake of all of us... let's hope for a quick and peaceful resolve.
OT - Re: ACCCKKKK!!!!! What a freakin' night! What a freakin'
So Meme, I see you Democrats have a sense of humor.
It appears as though the Republicans will finally have all the keys to get things done. They will certainly be without excuse.
The great thing about our country is when it is all said and done we (the citizens) support whoever is elected (after a little mourning and whining... of course).
It is intersting to hear from those who have seen the ad. It has not been shown in my market area (to the best of my knowledge).
When Disney is able to gauge the market response in the selected larger markets, I guess it will open up. I hope it is a catchy ad that generates interest... not a bust like the 5 GO.com ad's many of you will remember from a jillion internet years ago.
Woof!
D'Bear
Re: You can feel the love...
Meme, I agree, who do they think they are kidding!? AOL's claim that it is a nonissue is a contradiction in itself. If it was a nonissue, it wouldn't have been programmed as a "no option" opening page. AOL is guilty of many of the same issues they accused Microsoft of.
DickMn, wouldn't it be nice if Disney could, one day, compete with AOL's stickiness. AOL's success has always been the selling their product as much more than an ISP. DIG has the resources and content, however (so far) lack creativity and execution. There are areas DIG can eventually subscription monetize. The scale they have created with Disney's subsciption leaves much to be desired (and they may never come close to AOL in that area) but there are many possibilities. Disney has a plethora of opportunity (AOL's merger with Time-Warner recognizes those added opportunities as well). DIG just needs to put it all together (exasperating how dysfunctional they have been).
Maybe the real cat fight... is down the road (wishful thinking) Woof!
D'Bear
You can feel the love...
Disney Says AOL's New Software Limits Choices, WSJ Reports
Washington, Oct. 31 (Bloomberg) -- Walt Disney Co. said in a filing with the Federal Communications Commission that America Online Inc.'s latest software limits subscribers' online choices, the Wall Street Journal said.
Disney's claim has become an issue in the federal review of AOL's pending merger with Time Warner Inc., the newspaper said.
Disney said AOL's new 6.0 version software stops users from choosing home pages and steers them to AOL's page, the newspaper said.
The new software offers other ways for users to create ``one- click'' access to their favorite Web sites, an unnamed AOL spokeswoman told the newspaper.
(WSJ 10/31 B6)
Oct/31/2000 12:53 ET
OT - Meme and Dejgaard
Enjoy your posts on other stocks. It's nice to learn about stock that is unfamiliar to me.
Dejgaard, I visited your beautiful country recently. We took a scenic drive through Switzerland on our way to fly back to the US from Vienna, Austria and stopped in Berchtesgaden. While I was sitting at a local outdoor restaurant getting my strussel fix I looked up at Eagles Nest. Laughingly (remembering the times you had to contend with GJ on the old GO board) wouldn't he have had a field day dealing with a THAT bigot. In modern day posting, could you imagine their dialog? In the end, of course, GJ would have accused him of being Health Is Wealth, Meme, you or me. Regardless, on a serious note, your country has great beauty and history and I look forward to going back.
Meme, I got your PM... one day I'll have to share some stories (nightmares) you might find interesting about banks and real estate deals that would amaze you (in lack of accountability).
Have a nice weekend everyone! Woof!
Matt,
Sorry for taking up the boards time. I punched in a message, pressed "submit post" and it went to my mail box, so I did it again. I then exited, lost my message, made a new one and repeated the process. I had no idea that I double posted twice, because when I checked the main page for this board they weren't posted. I left this site and just came back... presto! the messages are here! Boy, do I feel stupid... I can't figure out how to drive this thing.
Sorry for the multiple posts, maybe our good host Meme or her excellent compadres can delete three out of four. Hey!!!... before anybody starts barking or makes mean comments remember... I'm a golden retriever and I'm not supposed to be operating these things to begin with! Woof... Grrrr, woof woof!
Re: OT- Meme - D'Bear
Ok, I tried again, however it would be nice to refer, or, recall the message you sent as a PM. AOL has the best record keeping for new, old and sent messages. Don't you just wish everyone had the resources to implement their (type of) system... wait a minute... doesn't Disney!?!
OT- Meme
Not to take up the board's time responding to personal inquiry, I sent you a private reply to your recent post. However when I came back to the board and refreshed the message page it showed "0" reply on your message that I replied to. Although I had to be logged in when I did the private reply, when I clicked the submit button it asked me to log in again. I didn't, because I was already logged in and didn't want to send the message twice, but, now wonder if you got the message. Life and all it's complexity... and you wonder why I post as a dog... woof!
This is a decent article because, in brief, it may be the next popular wave since computers. D'bear
ABC Television & Walt Disney Internet Group Present Enhanced TV Programming On Election Night, November 7
NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Oct. 25, 2000--
First-Ever Live, Interactive Network News Telecast
ABC Television and Walt Disney Internet Group (NYSE:DIG) will complement ABC News' November 7 Election Night coverage by offering the first-ever live interactive network news telecast, allowing viewers to 'connect' in real-time to the ABC News Elections team. Dubbed The ABC News American Election Challenge, the live, synchronized Enhanced TV programming will provide viewers with three interactive viewing components:
-- Viewer response surveys - ABC News' Election Night anchor Peter
Jennings will pose questions to Enhanced TV viewers, with the
survey results being posted instantly online and on-air.
-- A play-along "test-your-knowledge" contest enabling viewers to
test their political knowledge against family and friends
nationwide on a live leaderboard;
-- A "Beat the analyst" game in which viewers predict the winner of
certain races and compare their selections against those of ABC
News commentators;
The ABC News American Election Challenge, offering content produced specifically to accompany the traditional ABC News telecast, can be accessed via ABCNEWS.com the evening of November 7. The ABC News broadcast begins at 7 p.m. ET.
"The ABC News American Election Challenge will introduce viewers to a groundbreaking programming concept meant to further engage viewers in the traditional ABC News telecast," said Mr. Jennings. "Enhanced TV is a terrific vehicle to generate meaningful viewer input on the election landscape, especially as the night unfolds."
"The national elections is a perfect showcase for our groundbreaking Enhanced TV programming," said Jonathan Leess, senior vice president, executive producer and general manager, ABC Television and Walt Disney Internet Group's Enhanced TV unit. "It takes innovative, risk-taking, experienced broadcasters to be able to integrate convergence programming, and there isn't a better team to pull this off than Peter Jennings and the ABC News group."
ABC and Walt Disney Internet Group's Enhanced TV programming is delivered via an Internet-connected computer and is controlled by the user while watching the show simultaneously on television. It is neither a television experience nor an Internet computer experience, but truly both at the same time -- the first step towards in-home convergence programming.
Anyone with a personal computer, connected to the Internet via 28.8 modem or better, will have access to ABC and Walt Disney Internet Group's Enhanced TV programming applications. Users must have 4.0 version browsers or better in order to receive the interactive programming. Access to the programming is free to all users. For more information on ABC Television and Walt Disney Internet Group's Enhanced TV programming, go to http://etv.go.com.
Wow, talk about skittish behavior!
It's a little past 2:30 PM EST and I log on to see what's going on in the market. Nortel has a great performance quarter but lags in the expectations of this now so sensitive market. Pow! Down almost 30% dragging JDSU and some of the other big boys with them. Unbelievable how volatile these tech related issues are. I wish I learned the word BONDS.
Meme, on the OT: In real life I am a 52 year old retired real estate developer... boring... hey, that's pretty close to being a dog! Anyway, since I have made such wise choices (yea, right) in the stock market, I should be going back to work soon. No more dog day afternoons.
By the way I like the D'bear. I think you have just renamed me. Woof!
D'bear
re: Gargantuanly OT . OK I'll play
I've got blond hair and big brown eyes. I'm not that tall... however, when I stand up on the counter to see what everyone is having for dinner... I'm pretty tall. My favorite color is yellow (as in a tennis ball). My favorite food is... well, that's open ended. I have two people as pets (they are now empty nesters, so I am spoiled)... they are almost trained. My favorite movie is "Lassie Come Home" followed by "Old Yeller" (for color and context). Since Halloween is around the corner I have come up with a neat costume, you people call it a GJ... I am a 6 foot tall, 180 pound, multi-millionaire, Latin hunk, great dancer, defender of all, unbigoted, LOVE NOT HATE, intelligent cat lover... NOW THAT'S SCARY!
On stocks... I liked DIG, but the hole I dug buying it has me in the dog house. Woof!
Good article - these are the kind of thimgs that will integrate Disney into web users lives in the long run:
New MSN Kids Channel Brings Internet to Life for Children of All Ages
Premier Children's Content From Discovery and Disney Positions MSN as Kids'
Home on the Web
REDMOND, Wash., Oct. 23 /PRNewswire/ -- The MSN(R) network of integrated content and services today announced that later this week it will launch its new MSN Kids channel, rounding out its family of content with a focus on helping children get the most from the Web. The new MSN Kids channel, found at http://www.msn.com, will feature premier content from leading consumer brands, including Discovery.com and Walt Disney Internet Group. MSN, the No. 1 Internet destination worldwide, has evolved into a comprehensive destination that people of all ages can count on for complete content and high-quality services.
(Photo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20000822/MSFTLOGO )
"We are thrilled to bring together the leaders in kids' content and programming to MSN to deliver an exciting and unique experience for children," said Yusuf Mehdi, vice president of MSN Marketing at Microsoft Corp. "Through our relationships with Disney and Discovery, we aim to deliver a special place for kids on the Internet in which they can safely learn, play and have fun."
MSN Kids will bring the best of Discovery and Disney to kids all in one meeting place where they can come together and access superior content, making it easy and fun to hang out on the Web. Children of all ages will not find one site anywhere else on the Web with Croc Hunter and Mickey Mouse in the same place. In keeping with its strategic direction, MSN once again is building relationships with premier name brands to deliver to consumers the best of the Web. Discovery and Disney, both respected name brands, will be a cornerstone of the MSN Kids channel.
Children will enjoy premier content in games, entertainment, sports, news, arts, activities and learning. MSN, along with Discovery and Disney, is taking special care to develop unique content for children aged 9 and under and those aged 10 to 12, helping them get more from the Web.
MSN is committed to taking all necessary measures to maintain the safety and security of children who visit MSN Kids and will provide additional tools designed specially for children. For example, Microsoft has pioneered Kids Passport as a safe and secure tool for allowing children to surf the Web with support from their parents and Web providers who design their content appropriately. In addition, Microsoft has teamed with the American Libraries Association to form Stay Safe Online, a 15-minute animated tutorial that teaches children safe online practices through education, adult supervision and technology. These tools will allow parents to determine whether their children will participate in online services that collect and/or disclose personal information.
Discovery.com will provide family-friendly, real-world content and interactive fun and games on the MSN Kids channel. MSN Kids will include unique Discovery.com content on a wide range of activities that inspire and inform, from building a roller coaster to real-life backyard adventures such as where to find a local dinosaur dig or simply how to find homework help. Kids and parents alike can feel secure in turning to Discovery.com's content for high-quality, inventive experiences.
"Our mission, both on our networks and online, is to broaden our audience's horizons through high-quality storytelling that appeals to their natural sense of curiosity," said William Allman, senior vice president and general manager of Discovery.com. "As a central part of the MSN Kids channel, we are excited to bring our extraordinary adventures directly to kids looking for the thrill of new discoveries."
Disney.com will include an array of content for kids of all ages on the MSN Kids channel. Children will find ZoogDisney, an area dedicated to convergence with the Disney Channel; Zeether, a unique destination of interactive entertainment and storytelling for older kids; Playhouse, which features Mouse House Jr. and Worlds of Disney for Disney fans ages 3 to 6; and an Internet news service targeted at children ages 8 through 12 called ABCNEWS4Kids.com. Disney.com also will provide age-specific destinations and activities, including an "Under Nine" home page with links to Zeether and Disney's One Saturday Morning areas, as well as areas dedicated to pets and animals, entertainment, games and hobbies.
"Our goal is to provide consumers with easy access to our material on the Web," said Larry Shapiro, executive vice president, Corporate Development, Walt Disney Internet Group. "By serving as a premier content provider to the new MSN Kids channel, we are making it even easier for Disney fans to find our content online, including games, activities and information on Disney movies."
With the addition of the MSN Kids channel, MSN underlines its commitment to offer the best content and services to consumers online. Along with high-quality services such as MSN Shopping, the MSN Hotmail(R) Web-based e-mail service and MSN Search, the MSN Kids channel gives everyone on the Internet another reason to make MSN their home on the Web. The channel will provide kids with easy access to all the fun and learning that they could ever want -- on the Web.
HIW, DQ re: Disney's additional purchase
I just wanted to clarify one point: I have no earthly idea if Disney has purchased any additional shares. I just meant they could be and we wouldn't necessarily know when, or how much, they may be doing at any particular time. They can purchase up to 5 million shares on the open market without additional filing.
One miniscule positive thing: I notice on the GO site that they finally removed the dated message boards at the bottom of their money page. Now .... if they could only speed up all the areas that need fixing. Nah, that would take good site management and diligence... why rattle the cage. Grrrrr, woof!
Re: Go NewsRoom
HIW, Disney may have very well bought back a good portion, if not all, of their intended purchase as DIG has been spiraling downward. To the best of my fading memory: they (Disney) could buy back on the open market over their set period. I believe no other announcements, or, requirements would be necessary under that filing. Disclaimer: I am a dog and subject to error.
There was better than average volume today and the stock hardly moved compared to it's peers. Is it SEEK?... is it GO?... no it's DIG... same animal, same bite! Woof!
OOOPs!, I left the site and came back to post and see threejack said the same thing about Disney owning the stuff. Sorry, I should have read before posting. Threejack, it's good reading you again. It's been a long time.
As I have heard them say in obedience school (from a distance): Good Boy!
Meme and dpb5 re: Auction items
I suspect DIG will be paid a fee for facilitating the transaction. For example: the asset, in this case, the DISNEYLAND sign, was not transferred when Disney acquired GO.com.
Meme, Meme, Meme... it matters not that I am a male, or, female. What matters is I am a computer literate golden retriever that has learned how to post (which seems natural because I have web paws). The fact is: what better stock is there for a dog like me... DIG again is a natural... make no bones about it.
Do you know what drives me crazy?
When you enter the "stock" link on the GO.com page you go to the old format showing the message boards at the bottom. Why in the world does Disney always want to keep embarrassing themselves with slow change (i.e. dated information). It seems as though they are satisfied with giving the appearance they are still in "beta", even though they're not. I would never operate a business as sloppy as DIG is doing with GO.com. This is very disheartening to people who thought they were investing in a company that is supposed to be run by people who pay attention to "detail" (Disney's OLD reputation).
Meme, don't you dare delete me (don't you know if this was DIG's message board they would have no part of allowing such candid comments about their operations)! Management should be thrown in the pound! Grrrrrrr, Woof!
Dpb5, GPD, ET AL... what I saw was a very similar opening page to the old GO.com. It had a very clean look with less clutter than the old one. The top had the black bar, but no GO logo. It was in the blue lettering with white background, as before. The money page was still in the new orange color but had search bars where you could look up your portfolio and something else. The bottom, where they used to show the most active message boards, had different notes of instruction e.g. check ABC Moneyscope for news and other messages that were similar. DIG engineers were obviously testing some new looks.
Meme, Bill and crew... it's been an interesting week. I heard one commentator say next week could have some big upswing because of option expirations. Apparently the "put" covering could be substantial as positions are quite high because of recent pessimism in declining stock prices. However... the commentator adds... because of world volatility, any more disruptive news like we had this week and there could be further decline. In other words... the commentator covered his tail. Always right, never wrong... I could swear they are dogs WOOF!!
Have a nice weekend... wag, wag wag.....
A disappointment plus confusion is not the type of combination anyone wants to see going forward. DIG historically (SEEK/GO/DIG) made some strides in certain areas of development and then backed off to a product with lesser features. A quick example is the meesage boards at SEEK where better, had more functional features, etc. than GO. GO's message board became less as DIG and DIG had better features than ABC Moneyscope. The email never shined, news was late, etc., although they always touted they would have the newest technology. Any business I have ever been associated with took the best they had and tried to improve on IT.
Unfortunately, it was correct not to heavily market a product that was (in many ways) inferior to their competitors. However, saying something different to Wall Street, not executing on timelines and general changes in management only perpetuated and further slowed the process. Anybody new stepping in has to assess what he/she has before making dramatic changes. Therefor Internet speed in Disney's operation to date has not been accomplished. Confidence is low because of their mismanagement and shareholders have suffered.
So far, they are just not getting it done. Will they? Who knows? Disney certainly has the size and resources. We can only hope they figure out the application... but who am I to say... I'm just another dog.
Blair,
For those that track Disney, here is an extention to your post. Quite optimistic expectations. We'll see. Gotta run!
Disney to Spend $300 Million on Store Redesign
By Betsy Riley
Staff Reporter
10/4/00 9:19 AM ET
Walt Disney (DIS:NYSE) will spend about $300 million revamping about 600 of its stores over the next three years, according to The Wall Street Journal.
In an effort to reverse lagging sales, the company will launch a television ad campaign and move away from character-based products, the article said. Also, over the next several years, the chain will close about 140 stores as their leases expire.
Andrew Mooney, president of Disney Consumer Products Worldwide, told the paper that under his leadership he aims to see the company increase annual retail sales from $13 billion to $75 billion.
Hi Meme and crew, I just wanted to let you know I have checked in. I like some of the features (like live chat when people have the time and private reply). Meme, I can't hang around tonight and may be traveling, but a question (I'll check reply when I get a chance). Aside from the Investor's Hub (which seems to be Matt), do you, as host of this board, have access to every poster's personal profile required for log in? This question is two fold a) because of the multinic situation we had at DIG using various profiles and b) the ability to actually control it.
Thanks again for the invite. It is nice to read familiar posters and see that so many have already logged in. I read some of the parting comments on DIG, DIS and that other place and really had nothing to add... so I let sleeping dogs lie . I look forward to what (hopefully) will be a better environment. Read you down the road!!