Author Jacket Introduction Contents

Table of Contents:

Introduction

How the Directory Is Organized

PART ONE: THE WORLD'S LARGEST FINANCIAL LIBRARY

1. Why Bother with the Internet?

Who Needs a Telephone?

Present Uses of the Internet

The Research Tool

The Communications Network

The Entertainment Center

Possible Future Uses

The Enabled Network

Enhanced Communications

The New Entertainer

The New Educator

The Cheaper Alternative

2. The World Financial Library

Our Future Is Dynamic

The Library Is Global - Like Your Investing

No Dewey Decimal System

The Best Things in Life Are Free

3. The Peer's Network

Financial Resources of Usenet

Discussion and Its Forms

Online and Off

Real Time and Delayed

Real and Perceived Opportunities in Newsgroups

4. Value-Added Analysis

The Buck Stops Here: Selling Information Online

Timeliness

Track Records

Who Is Your Portfolio Manager?

Managing Your Own Portfolio

A Stockbroker Makes a Good Alternative

What about a Professional Money Manager?

Caveat Emptor

5. Keeping Track

Data Vendors

Online Giants

Bigger Than the Giants

The Mouse That Roared - "It's Free!"

Online and Offline Trading - The Realities

Software Makes It Easy

6. Your Financial Education

You and Your FAQ

Beyond the Basics

Distance Education

7. Crumbling Walls and Opening Doors

Geographically Biased Securities Legislation

Selling Straw Hats to the Inuit and Oil to the Texans

The Internet-Enabled Broker

Service for Clients

Time for the Advisor to Start Thinking

Prospects Galore!

8. Time Tips

The Information Jungle

Call My Agent: Letting Robots Reduce Your Workload

Finding an Agent

Condensing Information

Bookmarks

Hobby Investing

Virtual Reality Investing, or Information Overload Can Be Fun

9. Shareholder Rights in the Wired Society

Protection from Whom?

The Regulatory Environment

Internet Security Threats

The New Highwayman

Scams in General

Investment Scams in Particular

Know Your Client - or Else

The Growth Trend of Litigation

The Virtual Lawyer

The Force Is Strong in Him

10. Investing in Internet Companies

Use the Product

Categories of Internet Companies

Free Internet Software?

Commercial Software

Commercial Services

Communications

Conferences

Directory Services

Education

Entertainment

Information Services

Intranets

Magazines and Newsletters

The Pace of Change on the Net

11. The Undiscovered Country

A Chance for Better Understanding

Misinformation and the Myth of Free Speech

Engaging in Dialogue

Official Channels

Unofficial Channels

An Assault on Freedom

The Importance of Privacy

Disappearing Democracy

It's a Small World after All

PART TWO: A DIRECTORY OF FINANCIAL RESOURCES

Accountants and Taxes

Advisors

Banks

Bonds and Economic Data

Brokers

Commentary, Analysis, and Newsletters

Data Vendors

Distance Education

Financial News

Financial Planning and Education

Futures and Options

Government Resources, Investment Clubs, and Organizations

Investment Research

Mutual Funds

Real Estate and Insurance

Software and Utilities

Special Situations

Stocks

Venture Capital and Limited Partnerships

Appendix : Up-to-the-Minute Additions

Appendix : The Next Generation

Index