01/20/98 EDITORIAL WINTER 1998
Everything in Life is 50/50!
This has been one of the toughest issues of Blackjack Review I have had to write. I have decided that this will be the last copy of this publication that will be published in hard copy form. Future issues of Blackjack Review will be published on our Internet Web site at https://www.BJRnet.com and will require a password to access.1)Note that passwords are not required anymore and all content is free.
I know many of you will be disappointed but I needed to make a decision about the direction of Blackjack Review. Publishing a hard-copy edition every three months, while at the same time keeping the BJRnet web site up-to-date was becoming increasingly difficult. Not being required to print and distribute bound newsletters will allow me to devote considerable more time to the BJRnet Web site, and provide more timely news to my subscribers.
Blackjack Review “on the Web” will continue the tradition of the hard copy Blackjack Review. However, I am working on some ideas to make it even more useful to players. You should see some major changes by April of 1998 — which will include the first issue of Blackjack Review “on the Web”. You will find all the blackjack information you are normally accustomed to on our Web site including playing conditions, best bets, and hard hitting articles. However, one big advantage of Blackjack Review “on the Web” is the information should be more timely and accurate. Another big advantage is the instant feedback that will be established to allow readers to make corrections and comments about playing conditions. I hope to also expand BJRnet to include more poker related material and information on the other casino games. To accomplish all this I am upgrading the BJRnet server capabilities to allow state-of-the-art Internet communications.
Internet communications and the Web are increasingly becoming a major part of our lives. Millions of people around the world use the Internet daily — from receiving and sending mail, to buying and selling products, or just for educational purposes. I can not imagine living without the Internet. Today, it is as much a part of my life as the telephone and television were a few years ago. The Internet is indeed here to stay.
The costs to get connected to the Internet are relatively minimal2)Well, they may have been in 1998, but not any more!. Yes, you can go out and buy an expensive computer system, however, there are a few other options. If you are not already connected, there is one product called WebTV® which connects to your television set and phone line that will do the job. This option is considerably less expensive than purchasing a full computer system, however, both options require an Internet service subscription. A typical Internet service subscription can be as low as $10 – $15 per month, while WebTV® currently charges about double this amount due to additional services. There are some limitations with WebTV®, however, it may be the easiest and possibly least expensive way to make the Internet connection today. If you are interested, I have seen this product offered for sale in the Sears electronic department.