Corporate Blogging: A new marketing communication tool for companies

Internal blogs refer to blogs within the organization that operate behind a firewall. Some organizations have only a single blog to update employees about the latest news and changes implemented. This is far easier to manage, control and ensure that the content adheres to the corporate policies. Some enterprises allow employees to form blogs and share their ideas, though such practices are harder to control. Blogs improve communication, increase knowledge and clear doubts instantly and hence are necessary tools.

External blogs are made available on the Internet and can be viewed by anyone. It helps you to communicate with your customer. If you have a voice, you don't appear to be a nameless and faceless corporate entity. Customers like dealing with people and a blog helps your customer feel like they are buying from a real person. It gives you a chance to share information and news with your customers. It's a great vehicle to drive information to your client base without pushing information at them too aggressively. They choose to read your blog and choose to find out about your company. They can also choose to comment and they can help spread the word. Blogs get syndicated and people do social bookmarking with them as well. Your blog is ideal for viral marketing!

Your blog should be optimized for your keywords just as much as your website is in order to attract the right audience. Blog posts should give value to readers and encourage participation. You can also use your corporate blog to announce contests, special discounts and to get feedback from your customer base. Besides that, it can drive traffic, get you more customers, increase customer satisfaction and improve your SEO rankings.

An example of corporate blogging is Google blog http://googleblog.blogspot.com. Google use its blog to make new announcements, get reviews about its products etc. It announced a push to get advertisers and publishers to utilize video ads. Google said they will sell both “InVideo” ads, where a video ad appears at the bottom of a video, as well as text overlay ads that put text below a video. The InVideo ads are paid on a CPM basis, while the text overlay ads are paid on a CPC basis.

Example of a Local E-Commerce Site

Nowadays, there are a lot of e-commerce site that enable the online users to purchase goods or services. The example of local e-commerce site that i would like to introduce to all of you is BlincBlinc site (http://www.blincblinc.com).

Blincblinc.com is an online boutique that is established in year 2006 in Malaysia. They emphasize in credibility, efficiency as well as quality assurance. The major types of products that we can get in this site are fashion jewelry, hair accessories, bags, clothing and so on. These products can be view through the online catalogue. The catalogue includes the pictures, information and prices of the products.

Besides the online catalogue services, they also provide search engine. This can make the users easier to find certain products. In addition, this site also provide few types of currencies so that it is more convenient for the user from others country. Then, we also can find few links in the site that can give users a lot of information about this site.

We need to sign in to purchase the products in this site. Then, we browse through the online products catalogue or use the search engine to find the products that we want. After we locate the products that we want, we just need to click add to cart button. Then the products will appear in the shopping cart. We can view our selected products or alter the quantity of the products. After confirm the products that we want to purchased, we will need to make payment either trough online or offline payment. Then, we need to inform them by email, sms, fax or call after the payment was made. Finally, we can choose the delivery methods that are through delivery or self pick-up.

The download speeds in this site are quite fast. The site layout is white colour so that it is easier to be match with the site design. The colour and font that are selected also matched the layout of the site.

Besides having Blincblinc.com, this site also have a BlincBlinc lounge that is located in 3rd Mile Square, Jalan Kelang Lama. In this lounge, the customers can seek for assistance if they need help when they online shopping in Blincblinc.com. Other than that, this lounge will be a waiting area for customers who choose self pick-up of their products.

Here are some examples of the online catalogue available in this site:

E-Government in Malaysia: Its implementation so far and citizen’s adoption strategies

E-Government, also known as electronic government, refers to the use of internet technology as a platform in exchanging the information, providing services and transacting with citizens, businesses, and government. It can be applied by the legislature, judiciary, or administration, in order to improve internal efficiency, the delivery of public services as well as the processes of democratic governance.

Lembaga Hasil Dalam Negeri Malaysia (LHDN) had introduced e-filling, an application which enables taxpayers to submit their Tax Return Forms electronically. In order to submit the tax return forms via internet, a digital signature is required. To facilitate this, LHDN had provided free Digital Certificates to all taxpayers. For more information can visit to https://e.hasil.org.my/ or email to e_filing@hasil.org.my.

However, there are some common problems faced by the consumers:

(a) The system may be corrupted during the peak season

(b) IT knowledge is required for the taxpayer

(c) Certain software is needed when using e-filling

In order to encourage more citizens to use the e-government applications, government must increase the public’s awareness through advertisements or organizing some workshops at public places. Besides that, government also can launch some campaign to promote the benefits of the e-government applications in order to rebuild public confidence on e-government applications.

Note to prevent e-auction fraud

Auction is a market mechanism by which a seller place an offer to sell an product and buyer made bid sequentially and competitively until a final price is reach. This is the traditional way to bid for a product, but for nowadays technology, auction can be done online that is E-auction. There are fews of popular e-auction around the world. For example is ebay and the most e-auction website for Malaysia is lelong.com.

Although it is convenient for consumer to bid online but there will have some fraud detected:

• Fake photo and misleading description.
• Bid shielding. Having fake bidders bid at a very high price then later pull out at the last minutes.
  
• Fake Escrow system.
• Shilling. Placing fake bids on auction items to artificially jack up the bidding price.

There are some notes for consumer to take notes that prevent from the e-auction fraud:

(a) User identity verification. For example phone number, driving license number and house address number. To verify the user identity, the voluntary program will encourage the user to supply some information for verification.

(b) Escrow services. Both buyer and seller in a deal are protected with an independent third party. Buyer mails the payment to escrow services which verify the payment and alert the seller when everything checks out.


(c) Feedback forum. It allow the buyer and seller to build up their online trading reputation. It provide users with ability to comment on their experience with other.

Credit Card Debts: Causes and Prevention

Everyone who owns a credit card knows that it is best to use a credit card only when urgent need arises. Use of the credit card for leisure more often than not, becomes an addiction and uncontrollable. Such a situation can often result in the creation of debts for the credit card user.

There are several causes lead to credit card debts such as:
1) Interest on interest

The main reason of credit card debts is paying interest on interest. Most of the card holders do not pay the full amount on time. This then accumulates a god awful amount of interest. The larger the balances, the larger the amount need to be repaid as you have to pay the principal amount plus a certain level of interest on it.

2) Online shopping

The opportunity to shop online has made this problem all the more severe as it is through credit cards only that the purchase are made on the internet. People do not need to spend their "real money" by paying through credit cards. People will spend continuously without noticing the risk of credit card debts as they are only required to pay a minimum payments every month.

3) Low minimum payments
Relatively low minimum payments make it easy to spend more money than you have available.

It is attractive as you are only required to pay a minimum payments every month. The balances will be carried forward and accumulated. This make the credit card debts problem arises.

4) Attractive benefits for credit card application

Credit card offers come in on a daily basis in the mailbox and it has been made way too easy for people to get credit cards. Credit card issuers also can easily approach you especially in shopping centres. Credit card applicants are always allured by the attractive conditions such as 0% interest and no annual fee. Thus, this make credit card holders always spend for the things not needed as many shops are available for easy payments.

Once created, it is not easy to get rid of credit card debts. However, there are few ways help to prevent the credit card debts such as the following:

1) Do not carry balances

If you have this habit of carrying forward your balance owed to the credit card company to the next month, it is better that you stop using your credit cards altogether. You can submit it back to the agency or cut it down to prevent any usage on urge as well.

2) Put a stop to solicitations

Off all the offers that come to your way for platinum cards etc, choose just one or two that can help you manage your debts and just stop entertaining the rest of them. You can even talk to the three main credit agencies and remove your name from the list of credit offers. The three agencies are Equifax, Experian and TransUnion.

3) Pay off more than the minimum amount

Set up a minimum amount for yourself when you repay the money owed to credit card agencies. People usually get stuck in debts and carry balances due to the urge of paying only the minimum amount mentioned by them. However, you should try to paying off as much as you can, so that the debts are removed quickly.

4) Turn to family for loan

This is one of the lowest cost way to pay off your debts. Asking for a loan from friends and family will get you a favourable interest rate as well. Make sure that all the details are done in writing so that the future is secure for both parties involved.

In conclusion, credit cards should be used for emergencies only, unless you plan on paying the entire balance off immediately. Never pay the minimum amount due unless you truly cant afford anymore. This is because it will lead to credit card debts.

The application of pre-paid cash card

Prepaid cash cards are a recent phenomenon. They have exploded in popularity across America over the last 10 years and are now taking off in Malaysia also. The concept of the prepaid cash card is basically same with the prepaid mobile phone SIM card. A prepaid card looks like a credit or debit card, and gives users the ability to purchase products and services with a card but with a crucial difference is that user can only spend the balance that has been preloaded onto the card. This means there is no risk of running into debt as it has no credit or overdraft facility.

Money can be reload on o the prepaid card by cash at bank, post office or at any Payzone that appoint by the company. When using the card to purchase, the prepaid card works like the credit card. But the difference with the credit card is just that the the total amount that the user purchase will be taken off from the card immediately and the transaction is complete.



The popular pre-paid cash card that use among Malaysian is Touch'nGo Card. Touch ‘n Go uses contactless smartcard technology. The card looks similar to a credit card. User can continue using the card as long as it is pre-loaded with electronic cash. User can reload the card at toll plazas, train stations, Automated Teller Machines, Cash Deposit Machines, Petrol kiosks and at authorised third party outlets.




Other than that, in Hong Kong, Octopus card is the most popular. Debuted in 1997, the Octopus Card instantly became widely used in the public in Hong Kong, as it simplified the transportation payment process to take only a couple of seconds. The usage of the card is can pay the public transport fees, as well as retailers who accept the card such as convenient stores or restaurants.

Mobile Payment Systems in Malaysia: Its Potentials and Consumers' Adoption Strategies

Mobile payment systems are processing a payment for goods or services through a mobile device such as mobile phone, Personal Digital Assistant (PDA) or other mobile devices.

There are two primary methods for mobile payment that are:
(a) premium SMS based transactional payments
In this method, the consumer sends payment through an SMS text message and the charges will applied to the phone bills. When the consumers make a payment, the consumer and the seller will be informed with the success of payment. Then, the seller will send the goods or provide the services to the consumer. The goods and services provided are not physical goods or services. The items are such as wallpaper and ring tones.

(b) mobile web payments (WAP)
This process replaced the premium SMS based transactional payments. In this method, the consumers can purchase physical goods compare to SMS payment. Consumers use web pages displayed on their phone to make a payment. Below are the steps for payments for this method that i found in a website that being use in Australia:

In Malaysia, the example of mobile payment systems website is Mobile Money (http://www.mobile-money.com/). This website provides physical goods for sale. This website allows everyone to pay anyone, at anytime from anywhere with just one SMS and vice versa. This payment system is very secure and it is a closed loop payment system.

Electronic currency ~> Paystone

Paystone Technologies Corporation is a private Internet payment and money transfer company dedicated to providing secure, easy and real time Internet transactions. It is founded in year 2001; Paystone has operations in the United States, Canada and the Philippines with International cash out capabilities in many other countries.

Paystone provides an inexpensive online payment method without the risk of chargeback from fraudulent credit card use. Paystone can handle small financial transactions which we called micropayments as low as $0.25. The ability to process micropayments opens a whole new world for entrepreneurs of all sizes. Nowadays, a small business or an individual has a chance to generate revenue from their website quickly, easily and inexpensively. This makes a whole new range of content available to personal account holders. The large online merchant can also realize the full benefits of the Paystone in order to expand and increase the profitability of their business.

In addition, Paystone also provides an email money transfer option. A Paystone account holder can send funds to the email address of anyone in many countries around the world. The recipient of the funds signs up as a member and can cash out the money to their local bank account. For companies that send a large volume of payments they can access to GroupPay© feature to send money for many individuals at one time.

Reference:
(1) http://www.paystone.com/
(2) www.aboutus/org/PayStone.com

The Threat of Online Security: How Safe is Our Data?

Online security means the prevention of unauthorized access and/or damage to the computer system through online access. So, our online systems should be protected by the online security. Nowadays, there has been improvement in the online securities because of the growth of the technology. However, there are still a lot of threats of online security.

The few examples of the online security threat are:
1) Viruses
Virus is a common cause of computer problems. Most of the virus spread through the online activities such as opening the unknown e-mail or sending through the online system. Some viruses rewrite coding to make software programs unusable, while others scramble or destroy our data. Many viruses spread quickly so they may not be noticed until the damage has already been done. So, our data will be damage or destroy.

2) Hackers
There are two main methods hackers can cause problems to computer systems and our data. They either find a way to enter the system and then change or steal information from the inside, or they attempt to over-whelm the system with information from the outside so that it shuts down. The hackers may enter to our network though an open port, or an Internet connection that remains open. Besides that, they also attempt to appropriate passwords that belong to the users. A lot of hackers are skilled at guessing common password and run programs that locate or capture password information.

3) Phishing
Phishing is one of the most damaging online security threats in recent times. Basically it involves an attempt by a fraudster, to extract confidential information from the innocent victim. Usually, the fraudster will create a clone site that look similar to the web page that the user will enter. For example, the web page of Public Bank e-banking. The fraudster will create a similar web page. Then, the users will access to their account. Once this happen, the fraudster will get the information and can access to the users account. So, the fraudster will illegally transfer the user's fund.

How to safeguard our personal and financial data?

Online activities such as blogging, online banking, E-commerce trading and others have become popular nowadays, therefore, online users increasing form year to year. This leads to identity theft increasing sharply in recent years. Identity theft occurs when someone co-ops your name, social security number, credit card number, or some other piece of your personal information for their own use, either to commit fraud or theft, without your knowledge. There are many ways that criminals can obtain our information. Hence, our privacy may be seriously invaded. Therefore, how to safeguard our personal and financial data?

There are several ways to cope with or reduce the risk of identity theft.

1)Install a firewall

A firewall is a software program designed to allow good people in and keep bad people out. Most new computers come with firewalls integrated into their operating systems. Those who have a DSL or cable modem have an added layer of protection because these modems come with yet another firewall built in. If, however, you hae an older computer or use dial up, you may need to buy a firewall separately and install it yourself.

2)Install spyware protection software

It helps you to completely clean your computer of invasive threats. As a results, your computer will be clean and its performance will be better. Simply put, it will run a lot faster. Additionally, you will have protected your privacy- personal information, financial data,and your financial security will be protected.In the information age, where just one piece of your personal information can ruin your life, protecting your personal privacy while online is of the utmost importance.

3)Avoid accessing financial information in public

Resist logging on to check your bank balance when working from a coffee shop that offers wireless access. These systems are convenient, but also unknown. Casual users have no way of assessing how sturdy their firewalls are.

4)Update your browser
The most popular browsers that being used are Mozilla Firefox and Internet Explorer. Make sure your operating system and web browser are set up properly and updating them on a regular basis which can help to plug up security holes, so make it a habit.



5)Look for "locks"

Those web address start with "https" instead of "http" will provide security before you log on. Besides, a small lock icon in the lower-right corner of the browser window is also a sign of security.

6)Do not open mystery attachments

Never open an attachment, download files or click on a link sent to you by an unknown party. Attachments can contain viruses and links can lead unsuspecting users to dummy sites where they are asked to input financial information.

7)Encrypted e-mail

Encrypted e-mail is scrambled by the sender's program, which renders it unreadable until it is descrambled or "decrypted" by the recipient.Unencrypted e-mail is similar to a postcard - the message can be viewed by anyone who picks it up. Encrypted e-mail is similar to a sealed letter- the content cannot be viewed until the envelope is opened- except in this case the envelope has a lock on it to which only the recipient has a key!

8)Install online financial software

If you use online financial software, you need a password to access your data, so password protection is essentially already built in. Be sure that your online personal finance software provider offers the highest level of security, especially if you must enter actual account numbers. ClearCheckbook is one online personal finance software that does not require account numbers at all.

9)Select strong password

Avoid using words or numbers that other people can easily guess. Using your birthdate or last four digits of your social security number are too obvious to use as passwords or PINs. Strong password should include alphanumeric and minimum 8 digits. For example, use AMUB4075 as your password will be more safer.

Online activities are part of our daily life, however, most casual PC users are unaware of how dangerous the Internet can be. Without the proper knowledge and protection, you could be just a few simple keystrokes and clicks away from having your identity stolen. Therefore, we need make sure that our data are protected besides enjoying the benefits bring by the internet to us. Above are some tips for preventing online identity theft, make use of it will benefit to us.

The application of third party certification programme in Malaysia

Nowadays, E-commerce become popular and many consumer will use the technology to buy and sell things on the internet. But still some of the consumer not dare to use the technology this is because of the security problem that worried for it. For example is that the consumer scared that their personal data will be stolen by third party and use their identity to perform other trnsaction without their acknowledgment.

Verisign Inc. is the trusted provider of Internet infrastructure services for the digital world. Verisign is the leading Secure Sockets Layer in short SSL Certificate Authority enabling secure e-commerce, communications and interactions of Websites, intranets and extranets.

If a web page without security, any mail that send can be access by 3rd party to see the date. But the SSL Certificate will build a private communication channel enabling encrytion of the data during transmission. It will create privacy when the mail is send out. This will enable the customer will trust the website to perform transaction. The pictures below is a prove to the customer that the site is in a secured so that the customer will have more trust to perform transaction in that site.



Each SSL Certificate consists of a public key and a private key. The public key is used to encrypt information and the private key is used to decipher it. When a Web browser points to a secured domain, a Secure Sockets Layer handshake authenticates the server (Web site) and the client (Web browser). An encryption method is established with a unique session key and secure transmission can begin. True 128-bit SSl Certificates enable every site visitor to experience the strongest SSL encryption available to them.

With the application of the security services provided, it will built more trust between the customer and the seller to ensure that the data of both site will not be use or stole by 3rd party to commit fraud and crime. By this it will also encourage more people to trade without use of paper.

Phishing: Examples and its prevention methods

Phishing is an attempt to acquire sensitive information criminally and fraudulently, such as usernames, passwords and credit card details, in an electronic communication. PayPal, eBay and online banks are common targets. Phishing is typically carried out by e-mail or instant messaging and often directs users to enter details at a website.

Chart: Increase in phishing reports from October 2004 to June 2005.

EXAMPLE:

(1) phishing e-mail targeted at eBay users.

Taken from: http://www.comfsm.fm/~dleeling/training/phishing2.html

(2) phishing e-mail, disguised as an official e-mail from a bank.

Taken from: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Image:PhishingTrustedBank.png


(3) phishing e-mail targeted at Paypal users.


Taken from: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Image:Paypal_Phishing.png


(4) phishing e-mail from Citibank.

Taken from: http://www.bankrate.com/brm/news/advice/Phishing-email.asp



PREVENTION METHODS:

It is easy to uncover a crude phishing by the way of when you get an email from a bank that you have never opened an account at, then do not follow the link and enter your personal information. However, if you have an account at the particular bank, it is easier for you to check whether the bank had sent the email for you by calling the particular bank.

Besides that, you must read the message carefully whether there are any errors on it. It is because the errors found can determine whether the message is sent by the particular institution or the phisher.

In addition, you should examine the link that provided in the email. For example, the email could gives you instruction to access to http://banking.about.com/od/securityandsafety/index.htm but if you click the link you will found that you have been directed to a different site. The best way to prevent this is to copy and paste the link to your address bar. However, you can still get tricked by URL’s that look legitimate but have one or two letters switched.

The best way to avoid phishing is to use your best judgment. No financial institution with any sense will email you and ask you to input all of your sensitive information through online. In fact, most institutions will inform their customers that “We will never ask you for your personal information via phone or email”.

How Ecommerce reduce cycle of time, improve employment powerment and facilitate better customer service

With the blooming of technology and requirement from customer for an organization to meet, E-commerce to be introduce. E-commerce was defined as a process of buying, selling, transferring or exchanging products, service and or information via computer networks including the Internet.

Cycle time is the amount of time it takes to complete a process. In business perspective, it refers to length of time between customer place order and time that take place to delivery to customer. With help of E-commerce, it can help organization reduce cycle time with their customers and suppliers. For example, if the company stock level is low, the company can just send an email to the supplier and the supplier can deliver the goods to the company in time.

Employee empowerment is a strategy and philosophy that enables employees to make decision in their job. By the use of E-commerce, it can assign lesser employee to handle the task. By that, employee has more power to made decision in their work and will be more motivate for their work. It will also helps employees own their work and take responsibility for their results.

With the common use of computer and internet, most of the household will have personal computer and most of the consumer know how to use internet. By this the company will design their own website to facilitate their customer rather than visit to their store. This is because nowadays most of the consumer busy for their job and do not have the time to visit their store. So by E-commerce will facilitate the customer a lot by buy things online.

E-commerce will benefit the company not only reduce cycle of time, improve employee empowerment and facilitate customer support. It finally will benefit the company by increasing the sales and reduce cost for the company.

An example of E-commerce failure and its causes

Dell Computer Corporation is one of the largest firms consisting of approximately 30,000 employees. There are located throughout the United States, containing high top quality supplies and security services. In order for a large company like Dell to grow with all the competitors in the industry, the organization must be willing to take chances, to expand the corporation. However, the risk a company chooses to take can either be detrimental or beneficial. Dell's success over the years has caused concern for the future of the young company. Dell's business-to-business( B2B) exchange failed for a number of reasons.

1) Lack of insight in the research and development area
A lack of knowledge in this area proved to be detrimental because the company was unprepared for the lack of cooperation that other business showed in this new idea. Dell;s strong name and recognition may have worked against it, causing the company to be viewed as purely a computer manufacturer rather than a site also for alternative business products.

2) Recklessly jumped into B2B market
Dell set up a B2B marketplace hoping to allow online consumer sales to flourish. However, the computer industry is extremely competitive with several B2B exchanges taking place on the Web, only the strongest will survive. The computer maker closed the B2B exchange because of a lack of demand and unwillingness of customers to participate.

3) Dell gave up too early in the game
Beginning the business in October 2000 and ending in January 2001 gave them only a short time frame to produce a profit. If the business allowed more time to prove itself, it might have been able to salvage some of its profits as they should have focused on showing consumers that they are not just a PC firm.

4) Dell's choice of suppliers
Dell's suppliers include 3M, Motorola, and Pitney Bowes. They are second-rate firms compared to companiessuch as Compaq, Hewlett-Packard and Gateway. These three firms joined forces and formed an Internet-based exchange and had advantage over Dell.

5) Difficult in choosing best fit match in business world
Maybe if Dell incorporated smaller companies, they would have had more support and the potential for a larger growth. On the other hand, if they were to select a well-known firm, closely related to the computer industry, it could have provided consumers with a high degree of reassurance.

6) Dell was "caught up in hype"
There is no such thing as "easy money" and with all the competition within the computer industry. Dell should have thoroughly researched the positive and negative effects the corporation could receive. However, Dell recklessly jumped into this market and as a result failed after four months.

Luckily Dell is a strong company and was able to survive after the loss. With the future of the B2B commerce looking very bright, it would be a good idea for Dell to continue on this project with an optimistic outlook.

Example of E-Commerce success and its causes

Amazon.com, Inc.






DOMINATING THE E-COMMERCE WORLD

Amazon.com was founded in 1994, which is the first online retailer in the Internet world. Amazon is using its best marketing techniques and expertise in relation to the market trends and demands of its customers. Amazon.com started as an on-line bookstore, but soon diversified to product lines of VHS, DVD, music CDs, MP3 format, computer software, video games, electronics, apparel, furniture, food, toys, etc. Therefore it contains items that related to all ages, all interests and all fields as well as all areas.

Amazon.com provides a lower cost to its consumers due to they have lower operating costs, thus hold less inventory than the traditional stores in the market. Nonetheless the effective management and consumer identification in the market lead it to achieve tremendous success. The strategy to work better and adopting a strong base of selling products had marks Amazon different from the rest of the e-commerce organizations.

Furthermore, Amazon.com provides exceptional customer services continuously on its consumers and as a result it is on top of the other e-commerce companies. In order to achieve success in their goals they hire local employees in foreign countries as they did in Germany and U.K. It is not only helped them in gathering information about the local market and the demand of the people of these countries but also introduced more channels and branches of Amazon.com in these foreign countries to provide them a familiar look to this e-commerce company. For instance, Amazon.co.uk for United Kingdom and Amazon.de for Germany. This was a brilliant idea for attracting the locals of foreign countries towards its business in regard to expansion its customers and increase in profits.

Globalization has changed the marketing and business trends. Though the concept of e-commerce is at infant stage but it is growing faster and gaining more and more recognition. Amazon.com has gained profit in e-commerce due to its strong organizational and effective team management strategies. But the most significant and distinguishing quality of Amazon.com is its customer relation management. Its effective customer relation policies and meeting the demands of its valuable customers are the key element that marks a distinction to its success from the other e-commerce companies.


Related link:
(1) http://www.termpapergenie.com/success.html
(2) http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Amazon.com

History and Evolution of E-Commerce

Nowadays, e-commerce is a very popular activity in our life. But did you all know the history and evolution of e-commerce?? I think most of us will not know exactly what it means and the history of it. So I would like to share about the history and evolution of e-commerce with all of you through this blog.

E-commerce is known as electronic commerce. The meaning of e-commerce has been change due to the growth of technology. In the late 1970s, e-commerce meant the facilitation of commercial transactions electronically, using technology such as Electronic Data Interchange (EDI) and Electronic Funds Transfer (EFT) to send commercial documents like purchase orders or invoices electronically. In 1980s, the acceptance of of credit cards, automated teller machines (ATM) and telephone banking in the 1980s were also forms of electronic commerce. From the 1990s, electronic commerce include enterprise resource planning systems (ERP), data mining and data warehousing.

Thus, nowadays e-commerce consists of the buying and selling of products or services over electronic system such as the Internet, World Wide Web or others computer networks. This activity can be performed due to the growth of technology.

In around 1994, Netscape introduced a browser program whose graphical presentation significantly eased the use of computer communication for all kinds of computer activity, including e-commerce.

Then, the well-known website that is Amazon.com was launched in 1995 by Jeff Bezos. Amazon.com is a website that began with selling books and until now it has been selling varios of products. In the same time, Dell also began to use internet for commercial transaction. Besides that, eBay was also been launched and founded by computer programmer Pierre Omidyar as AuctionWeb. These are the successful websites that still exist til now although in the beginning these websites faced some lossess and problems. But its have been overcome through the growth of the technology. On the other hand, the are some failure websites that launched in the same time such as dot-com bubble.

In 1998, DSL or Digital Subscriber Line, provides fast, always-on Internet service to subscribers across California. This prompts people to spend more time, and money. The e-commerce business-to-business, business-to-customer and customer-to-customer activities have continue to grown until the twenty-first centuries. By 2001, electronic commerce had not grown to levels anticipated in the late 1990s. Nowadays, buyers were expected to change habits and make the shift from going to a store to shopping on a computer.

References:

1. http://www.vipgo.net/article105.html
2. http://newmedia.medill.northwestern.edu/courses/nmpspring01/brown/Revstream/history.htm
3. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Electronic_commerce
4. http://www.answers.com/electronic+commerce?cat=biz-fin

About Rui Ling

My name is Rui Ling. You can called me as RL if you think that is easy to remember.
I come from Tampin, Negeri Sembilan. Now i am a student of in UTAR. I join UTAR Bachelor of Accounting course just after my Diploma in Accounting in KTAR. Now i am a student of Year 3 Sem 1 in UTAR.

My hobbies is chatting, traveling and blogging as long as not studying.

The website below is i visit the most when i am free:

www.friendster.com
This is the website that i visit the most. I will visit this website everyday because i like to meet some of the new friend online. Sometimes i will also like to post my blog on the friendster website to throw out my happiness and sadness. It is quite a good way to release stress.

www.facebook.com
This also website that i like to visit most. I like to visit this website not only to meet new friend i also like to play the application that available in the web. this because the application in the web is very special and is very near to our life but is just post it in the web.

wble.utar.edu.my
I will visit this website everyday this is because this is the website that we can communicate with our lecturer and tutor. Because most of our lecturer will post lecture note or message to us through this site, so i will visit this site everyday to ensure that i will get the information that post by lecturer or tutor.

www.sinchew.com.my
I will visit to this website is that this is a newspaper website. It is costly for me to buy newspaper everyday and sometimes is inconvenient to get a newspaper. So online to see newspaper is save of time and will not costly.

www.msn.com
This also a website that i visit the most. I will visit this site is because i would like to use the messenger function to chat with my friend. Other than that i also will check my email that send by my friend through this website.

The information above are some of my particular about me. Nice to meet you all and have a nice day.

Stay cheers!!!

About Yee Teng

I'm Yau Yee Teng from Kepong, Kuala Lumpur. Most of my friends call me Sally. I have completed my 2 years Diploma in Accounting Course in TARC at Setapak. I'm pursuing Bachelor of Commerce( Hons) Accounting course in UTAR Sungai Long. Now in year 3 sem 1 and my tutorial group is 13. My hobbies include singing, watching, travelling, reading and chatting with friends through MSN. I had a memorable trip at Surabaya,Indonesia in past semester holiday. The websites that i visited the most are:

1) http://www.google.com/

I used to search information for assignments through the google search engine. It is quite convenient and fast in helping me to search for materials that I need. Almost all the resources that I used to complete my assignments are obtained form this website. Besides that, it is also provide an easy way for us to search for certain products. Hence, I visit this website almost everyday in my university life.

2) www.friendster.com

I always update my profile by uploading some recently taken photo to friendster. My friends and I can know each other's activities well through friendster and friendster's blog. This helps us to keep in contact. I can also search for my friends that have lost contact through my network in friendster.

3) wble.utar.edu.my

This is the website where I can get some updated information that are uploaded by my lecturers. Sometimes, I will download the lecture's note from wble too. Besides, this is one of the ways that I can communicate with my lecturers. It is quite convenient.

4) www.webmessenger.msn.com

I always spend my time by chatting with my friends through MSN. This is a very convenient way to communicate with my friends in everywhere. It is cheaper compared to SMS or phone call. Besides that, it also provide a link to my email inbox, therefore I can check my mails everytime when I'm using MSN. I also can send mail or files by using this function. It is very useful and convenient.

5) www.airasia.com

I always visit this website as my hobbies include travelling. I get to know the latest promotion that Airasia company is doing through this website. Sometimes, they will promote their company by giving free air ticket to public. This is a very good opportunity for those who cant afford to go for travel. As Airasia's slogan is "Everyone can fly", its air ticket is much more cheaper than MAS Airline. This gave me chances to go for travel in Bangkok,Thailand and Surabaya,Indonesia.

About Eliza

I'm Eliza Shee Yee Hsia from Cheras, Kuala Lumpur. Currently, i'm pursuing my degree in accounting in Tunku Abdul Rahman University, Sungai Long. This year is my last year of study.

My hobbies are watching movies, sleeping, eating and online.

The top 5 internet activities that i perform are searching information, chat with my friends, playing online games, reading forum and watch vidoes.

The top 5 websites that i visited the most are:
1) www.yahoo.com
I always use the search engine in this website to search information especially for my assignment. There is a lot of information that i get from the search engine. Besides that, i also check and send mail in this website. In addition, i also can play online games through this website.

2) www.wikipedia.org
This is my second website to search for information. This website provides a lot of information from various sources. Besides that, wikipedia also provide further explanation on the information that i need. Some of the information is provided by the public that know about the information. Thus, it might be unreliable.

3) http://wble.utar.edu.my
This is a official website for my university lecturers, tutors and students to share information and communicate with each others. Some of the lecturers will upload the additional notes in this website so that the students can download it and use it as additional references. Besides that, the students also can get help in their studies by posting the questions in this website. It will be answer by the lecturers, tutors or students that know the answers.

4) www.thestar.com.my
This is The Star newspaper website. I prefer to read news through this website rather than the reading through newspaper. This is because it can save my cost and save trees. It is more environmental friendly by reading news through the net. Besides that, i also can read the latest news in this website.

5) www.pbebank.com.my
This is online banking website for Public Bank. I can check my balance in my savings account. In addition, i also can perform transfer of funds or interbank funds transaction through this website. By performing this activities using online banking, i don't need to go to the bank. I also can avoid the long queue. Besides that, i can perform the transaction even after the bank is close because the online banking transaction is until 12am. However, by performing the interbank funds transaction such as paying credit cards or bills, it will have RM2.00 service charge.

About Chang Teng

I'm Cheng Chang Teng from Setapak, KL. Now i'm persuing my Year 3 Semester 1, Bachelor of Commerce (Hons) Accounting at UTAR, Sg.Long. My hobbies are included travelling, shopping, reading novel, and so on. The following are the websites that I visited most...

(1) http://www.utar.edu.my/
As an UTAR student, I have to keep track on the latest news in my university. Besides that, I also will visit this website for checking the timetable as well as the semester results.

(2) http://www.pbebank.com/
This website is for me to view my deposit account balance in order to avoid over spending. It is useful to me in the way of paying the course funds; I can pay the fees without visit to the bank.

(3) http://www.hotmail.com/
I visit this website is to check my emails which sent by my friends. This website also can make me more convenient at the time of sending the files or pictures.

(4) http://www.friendster.com/
Friendster is the place that I communicate with my friends. At there I can view my friends' photo as well as their recent plan.

(5) http://www.google.com/
This is the website that I "must" visit because it is useful for me when doing the assignment. I can find the relevant information from this website.