SECTION 4: EVALUATING WEB SITES

REGISTRATION REQUIRED, TEASERS, AND LIMITED FREE-OF-CHARGE ACCESS

Some sites lure Web users in with teasers, only to demand registration, or your credit card number just when you think that you have found the information you wanted. The site will make LIMITED information available for free, but will then make users pay.

This tactic is relatively common among dot-coms, but much less likely to be an issue when you are using sites that are sponsored by professional organizations and government agencies.

When you find a Web site, look it over and decide if you can answer these questions:

• Does a site contain "teasers" -- leading you to think the information is comprehensive when it actually is not?
• Does a formerly "free" site suddenly require a fee-based subscription?
• Are certain sections or pages of a site restricted to paying customers only?

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