Bulletin boards offer risky stock advice
Article Abstract:
Computer bulletin boards specializing in financial matters and the stock market are thriving on online computer services such as Prodigy and CompuServe. On Prodigy it's Money Talk, on CompuServe it's Investors Forum, and both services report that financial bulletin boards are very popular. The bulletin boards provide a forum for amateur investors who can exchange information and post stock picks. The favorite stocks to discuss are small companies that remain undiscovered. Investors even gain a reputation as being able to spot trends, and certain individuals can influence the market by their picks and pans. Observers of the trend warn that the opportunity for abusing the system exists. For example, it would be possible for an individual to open several Prodigy accounts and spread misinformation about a stock.
Publication Name: The Wall Street Journal Western Edition
Subject: Business, general
ISSN: 0193-2241
Year: 1992
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Nickelodeon sets up online focus group
Article Abstract:
Nickelodeon, the cable television network for children, has set up one of the first computer network-based focus groups. Use of the CompuServ computer network helps market researchers get around children's reluctance to criticize adults to their faces. Movie and TV publicists and directors often check out reaction to a show or film via such computer services as GEnie, Prodigy or CompuServ, but Nickelodeon appears to be the first organization to formalize market research by modem. The 75 children in the focus group range in ages from eight to 12. Half are girls and half are minorities. The annual cost of the focus group is about $100,000. The CompuServ focus group complements Nickelodeon's more traditional market research, including in-person focus groups and analyzing Arbitron and Nielsen ratings.
Publication Name: The Wall Street Journal Western Edition
Subject: Business, general
ISSN: 0193-2241
Year: 1993
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Untested treatments, cures find stronghold on on-line services; doctors fret the gravely ill may share information and skew drug testing; no miracles from Neurontin
Article Abstract:
Online bulletin board users are exchanging information about their diseases and possible treatments and cures on the BBSes and are helping to popularize some drugs. Users with Lou Gehrigs's disease have popularized the use of Neurontin as a treatment for the disease by describing positive effects of the drug on the BBSes. The drug is now in heavy demand from doctors. But while patients are glad to have the resource and the ability to speak with others who share their problems, doctors are concerned that there will be a good deal of misinformation spread on the BBSes, including questionable treatments and cures. There is also concern that drug trials will be thrown off by user discussions in which patients discover who is taking the drug and who is taking the placebo.
Publication Name: The Wall Street Journal Western Edition
Subject: Business, general
ISSN: 0193-2241
Year: 1995
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