Avatar News June 19, 2007

Setting Up Shop Online

If you want to suck up a share of the big bucks being spent via the Internet (by 2008, estimated to be US$230 billion in the US*), why not set up shop online? Setting up shop online is easier and more affordable than you probably think. What's more, you'll find the software, expertise and support you need right here at Avatar.

Rocket Cart is shopping cart software designed and developed by the Avatar team, which can either plug into your existing Web site or function as a 'stand-alone' shop. It offers you an easy to use, affordable way to sell products via the Internet.

Unlike other shopping cart software available, Rocket Cart has been specifically designed by our search engine savvy team to be found, indexed and ranked by search engines. It will also be:

• Easy for you and your customers to use
• Stylish looking, with a clear navigation and easily identifiable calls to action

What You Will Like About It
You don't need to be a techy boffin to use Rocket Cart's shop administration. Adding and editing products, categories, prices, descriptions and pictures is all incredibly straightforward. Plus there's plenty of help, information and support available to make sure you can't go wrong. Don't take our word for it though; simply contact us and we'll give you access to a free run-around in the shop administration.

What Does It Cost?
We've focussed on making Rocket Cart affordable for you. Rocket Cart starts at just $95+gst per month^† and you can choose one of two editions: Rocket Cart Lite or Rocket Cart Pro. (Customised cart options are also available.)

Rocket Cart is offered exclusively of any other service. However, we highly recommend that you commission one of our search engine optimisation services to kick start the promotion of your shop to search engines.

Take A Look
If you'd like a free trial of Rocket Cart, please contact us and we'll give you a login within 12 working hours. Alternatively, view our tour of Rocket Cart features to get a better idea of what we're so excited about!

* Source: Forrester Research
^†Rocket Cart is available on a lease only basis for a minimum of 12 months. Set up fees also apply.

Q&A — The Unsolicited Electronic Messages Act

Legal expert, Lowndes Jordan's Rick Shera, answers a few questions about New Zealand's upcoming anti-spam law, due to come into effect on September 5th, 2007:

Q: Does the Act apply to non-commercial emails?
A: The simple answer is no. BUT, you need to understand that an email can be commercial (and therefore caught by the Act) even if you are not actually selling anything in the email itself. A good example is a newsletter. If the object of the newsletter is to promote the services that you sell or if it has links to your Web site where you offer goods or services for sale, then that is enough. As we noted last month, you will need express or inferred consent to send that email.

Q: Can I just assume that I have consent to email everyone on my existing mailing list?
A: No. You need to be able to show (if a complaint is made) how that person has consented. If they have not expressly consented (e.g. by subscribing to a newsletter) then you need to decide if you can infer consent. To do that, you need to look at what you are sending and also at the relationship that you have with that intended recipient. So, to be safe, if you are not going to go out now and obtain fresh consent you are going to have to assess each intended recipient.

Q: You have to be kidding — every recipient?
A: It depends on how you have populated your mailing list. If you have a process where the only way that someone gets on that list is after they have subscribed then you know you have express consent. If not, then you need to decide whether you take the risk of not checking.

Q: So what are the risks?
A: Ultimately, there are potential fines of up to $200,000 for an individual and $500,000 for an organisation. However, the enforcement office at the Department of Internal Affairs can also issue restraining orders and take legal action as can anyone who has suffered loss — all of which will come with attendant publicity and reputational damage. It is a very bad look, particularly if you are in the ICT industry, to be labelled a spammer.

We'll keep you posted with more information over the next few months. If you want more detailed advice, please feel free to contact Rick on 0800 LAWFIRM (0800 529 3476).

Avatar's New Queen of Speed

With Helen off to Vegas and getting hitched to her English beau, we hunted high and low for an all-rounder who could take over juggling our admin, accounts and hosting balls. We heaved a collective sigh of relief when we found Leigh. Leigh's a dab hand at multi-tasking (yes, she's a female Leigh, not a boy Lee). She's not only a full-time member of the crew, but studying for a diploma in business.

When Leigh's not in the middle of her balancing act, she's off practising Thai kickboxing or soaking up the atmosphere of the local speedway track. She's a big fan of fast cars and thankfully, (as she admits to being a bit accident prone), is happy to watch others bomb around the circuit.

Interesting Tidbits

• Search engine launches a new look. Search engine, Ask.com, launches a new look this month including options to fine tune searches and choose your own background design.
• Turn yourself into a South Park character. We had loads of fun turning ourselves into South Park characters recently — the results are scarily life-like! Give it a go.
• The low fat cow. Back in 2001, it was discovered that Marge, a New Zealand-born Friesian cow, produced low-fat milk naturally. Tests now show that her mutant-milk gene has been passed onto her daughters.
• Can you spot a faker? Find out if you can tell whose smile is genuine and whose isn't. It's trickier than you might think.
• Learn the alphabet in sign language. Get a taste of sign language with this online alphabet.
• Remember 'etch-a-sketch'? You may remember doodling for hours (or minutes) using the unwieldy knobs of etch-a-sketch, a wonderful plaything of the 70s. Here's the thing... there's a version of etch-a-sketch online (and it's still hard to draw with).
• Paper that talks back. Swedish scientists have developed a billboard that 'talks' when it's touched. The scientists are now looking at ways to use their technology in packaging such as cigarette cartons.
• Teddy bear-headed robots to save soldiers. The US Army has commissioned Vecna Technologies to design a robot to retrieve soldiers from the battlefield. Its teddy bear styled head is designed to maintain that human touch (yeah, right).

Sites of Interest

Here's a selection of sites we've designed, developed, updated and/or marketed recently...

• Rocket Cart (design, development and promotion)
  Search engine friendly shopping cart software available to lease in Lite and Pro editions, designed to be used as a stand-alone or integrated online shop.
• The Spice Trader (design, development and promotion)
  New Zealand specialist in retail, wholesale and online spice sales in small or bulk quantities.
• D.J. Hewitt Builders Ltd (design and promotion)
  Christchurch master builder specialising in innovative lifestyle homes and dream houses in Christchurch and Canterbury.
• Flying Kiwi (development)
  Adventure tours in New Zealand involving a unique bus tour to some of New Zealand's finest locations with bus, bike and budget tour options available.
• Alpine Gold (update)
  A unique range of natural and original fruit juices, pure mineral waters and apple cider from Otago.
• Admiral Court Motel (update)
  Tranquil motel accommodation in Kaikoura, close to the town centre, seal colony and the sea.
• Sue Kelly Water Systems (update)
  Water filters, purifiers and water treatment units for clean, clear, safe and pure New Zealand water.
• School Leavers Jerseys (update)
  Suppliers of high quality rugby jerseys that mark the successful completion of students' time at high school.