Letters to the Editor:
Editor:
I recently bought a Sony WebTV Internet Terminal. If you're not familiar with this unit, it is a small box that connects to any television set which allows the Internet to be shown on the television. The terminal has a smart card slot in it for the use with a smart card for banking, transactions and other future uses using the Internet! I'm just waiting for the smart card to became available so I can use it with my Internet terminal. I think that the smart card is a good idea. I just hope they still produce them and make them available!
Michael Smedley
Response:
Michael:
I also have WebTV and I believe that it will be the way the majority of the U.S. population will interact with the Web in years to come. I do not believe that smart cards will play much of a role in the future, however, since many of the future WebTV users will get their access from their cable provider, and they of course will have a billing account with them. Currently I have access by phone line, which may well be how you are gaining your access as well. As with PCs, purchasing will occur in dial-up mode, through COD, credit card, checks, and through DigiCash. Smartcards in this application just seem dumb to me.
Paul H. Green
Editor-in-Chief
Editor:
I just want to tell you how much I love your Green Sheet and the information in it. It is so helpful! Also, thank you for the information on Humbolt Bank.
Mike Hermiz
Card Merchant Service, Inc.
