[Viewpoint] Exciting Enhancements To PCT Online

Each month approximately 30,000 individuals log on to PCT’s Web site (www.pctonline.com). In the online world that’s an impressive number of visitors, as is the fact that the site registers more than 6 million page views per year. Such broad-based use of our Web site by PCOs shouldn’t be too surprising. After all, the magazine was the first in the industry to launch a Web site, and our commitment to this innovative technology has been unmatched ever since. PCT has a dedicated Web editor, Brad Harbison; a weekly e-newsletter; daily news postings; a bi-monthly product e-newsletter; and more business content than any other online industry source. Put simply, we believe in the Web.

To remain the online leader, however, we’re announcing two further improvements to our Web site in 2004. The first is an investment in new software for our Message Board to allow segmentation of discussions by individual topics. The new software also allows us to create an "off-topic" area, which a number of subscribers have requested. The off-topic area helps separate general discussions from business, allowing you to join specific discussion groups that interest you.

The second enhancement is that the Web site will become truly dedicated to industry professionals in 2004. This is possible by an investment that creates a unique password for each subscriber to get on the site. The password is tied to your subscription because that is how we determine who qualifies to receive PCT magazine in the first place. So, home-owners, reporters and others will no longer have access to the Web site.

You probably don’t need yet another password in addition to those you use for ATMs and your home computer, so we’ve tried to make the password as easy to find as possible. You don’t have to do a thing – it’s already printed right on your mailing label (the sample label here shows the location of the password on the mailing label with an arrow, but to get your own actual password please refer to your January PCT mailing label).

So, the next time you visit the site, you will be greeted with the following message: "To view the site we need to verify that you have a subscription to our magazine. In order to do this, you must enter your Name ID and ZIP Code into these two fields." As soon as this match is found, the next screen will show your contact information – your name, mailing address and email address – which is necessary to email you your login information.

Next, click "continue." The next page will cross-reference between your "My account" and your "Name ID" and "My Account," if you already had one. Click "Continue" to have your new login information emailed to you. A link in the email will direct you back to the Web site’s login page, where you can click on "Login" to enter it. If you check the box that asks you if you want your login information remembered, you will never have to login again.

We’d love to hear back from you on the changes we’ve made to the site and any other online improvements you would like us to consider.

The author is publisher of PCT magazine.