spacer
spacer
Google/.network search  engine with radio buttons
search problem? / help buttonlink: introduction to .network search promise spacer
spacer FAQ
spacer
spacer
spacer

spacer
Are all .network resources freely available online
?

Yes! The Network operates as a specialized online information service. Bear in mind that there are lots of links to resources that are not under .network control, in which case there is a search promise ... a commitment to provide free personal search assistance to members of its target audience and others who take an interest in enterprise and economic development.

go back
spacer

What resources are available through The Network?

All worthwhile resources that can contribute to carrying out the mission of The Network qualify. Openly accessible resources that don't cost users may be listed for free in searchable areas of The Network. Resource and service providers having something to offer for a fee are afforded the opportunity to list in The Network with links to their websites for as little as $18.00 per year. All contacts have the opportunity to register with the GRC database for free.

CLICK HERE to suggest or contribute a resource, share, and help build The Network.

go back
spacer

Is a .network user required to register or pay in order to access a resource?

Users are not monitored. There are no encumbrances such as requests for registration of contact data, use of passwords or the like. Keep in mind, however, that The Network doesn't control outside resources to which access is freely provided. See the answer to the first question above.

Those who see themselves as resource and service providers to members of the .network user group are offered the opportunity to list for free through the Global Registry of Contacts.

go back
spacer

Why does The Network focus on networking rather than advertising?

Networking is the universally accepted means in business world for directly building and maintaining relationships. Advertising is a marketing tool ... (source of quote: Answers.com. Search page for Marketing Directory: advertising). Advertising is generally considered to be an indirect form of sending a message but there is direct advertising which, for example, shows up as junk mail send to addresses obtain from a purchased contacts listdashsee the answer to the question of whether the .network GRC database is available for purchase as a list of marketing leads. Also, there is direct response marketing, which is used in advertising.

Business cards are universally recognized as networking tools. They may also be used for advertising but recipients almost always expect them to clearly show how individuals, as a potential resource and service providers, can be contacted. Business dealings and decisions require direct contact and networking. Like the business card, The Network is a tool that serves business decision makers as they go about building and maintaining working relationships.

It's possible today to virtually hand someone a business card over the Internet (example) as well a in person at a networking event in the real world.

CLICK HERE for comments related to .network users' questions about social networks.

go back
spacer

What does signing up to participate and advertise in The Network cost?

CLICK HERE for participation details, including fees. Page up to more about advertising.

The first step towards participation is to register with our contacts database, CLICK HERE

go back
spacer

Who pays for the operations of The Network?

Bob Glover owns and operates The Network through Economic Development Services, a nanocorp. Although privately owned and having limited resources, EDS manages to stick with its original commitment to an open access style of operating to serve the .network mission.

Glover and several of his friends have financially kept the websites operational ... not enough, however, to maintain The Network at its full potential. Friends as financial contributors have not asked for influence or control over operations. They simply support a concept that the world would be a better place if there were less politics and more community behind economic development. It's important to make this point in answering the question of who pays for the operations of The Network because it indicates that it is nonpartisan.

Also, the search promise of The Network all but guarantees its nonpartisan positioning.

A some point, its friends may step aside as resource and service providers engaged in the mission of The Network begin to play a significant role in financially supporting its operations as contacts for users. If you see yourself a .network resource supplier or service provider, CLICK HERE.

go back
spacer

Is The Network a site selection network?

The Network has three websites dedicated to enterprise and economic development. The work of searching for a location is a process of enterprise development; therefore, the three websites make up a site selection network. One of the websites has been online since 1997 providing resources and site location assistance. It is where you will find the Site Selection Directory which offers free and impartial services for announcing projects along with their selection requirements to location data suppliersdashread about resource and services providers as members of the .network target audience on page 2 of its introductory series.

This answer points to our (who we are) site selection resources network as an example. Site selection network is a generic term used by those who are engaged in gathering and analyzing information for industrial and business expansion or relocation as well as planning startups. The National Association of Manufacturers (US) used the term to identify services provided to its membership and economic development or real estate partners after acquiring Plant Site Locators.

go back
spacer

Does The Network offer relocation services?

The Network offers resources for business decision makers, especially those engaged as enterprise developers and site selectors. Included among enterprise developers are entrepreneurs, small business owners, and leaders of fast-growing companies. In other words, The Network offers resources for those who are engaged in the processes starting up new business ventures and expanding or relocating existing operations. It has search tools and information/links that guide users of its websites to resource and service providers. There are service providers that specialize in relocation work. Either search for place of interest you are interested in relocating to in the Global Registry of Contacts or CLICK HERE to search the Web for relocation services. In the event that you are not satisfied with search results from either of these efforts, send an anonymous email. Follow the instruction and send a memo telling us that you specifically want to know about relocation services for the place of interest you identify.

go back
spacer

Where can I find information about places wanting economic development?

The Network uses the expression location data supplier to identify those who offer information about places of interest. You will generally find that contacts are available at some level with location data / economic development data available. Search for a location in any one of three websites of The Network using its Google/.network search engine or query the Web. Take a look at the Area Development section of the Economic Development Network website (EDN) for an alternative but effective search method. The Network offers suggestions for how to search the Web using keyword combinations and any search engine you choose. And, its promise all but guarantees that search results will be presented to you impartially. To You can anonymously request personal assistance when a search does not produce satisfactory results. Give us a location identity and we will list it, for example, in EDN Area Development along with a link to the website of its location data supplier as a free service. Send a test email.

back
spacer

How can I get listed as a contact in The Network?

Apply for a record in the Global Registry of Contacts, a proprietary database used to deliver on the search promise of The Network. Your application will be processed without cost or obligation. GRC records are added, updated and maintained for free. There are opportunities to build on three items of information published online for free from the database. CLICK HERE for answers to additional questions that will further explain how easy it is for any resource or service provider, anywhere, engaged in enterprise and economic development to get listed. See: Search for a Contact

spacer
spacer
spacer
go back
spacer
spacer spacer spacer
spacer spacer spacer
spacer
help button linked to .network introduction
spacer
spacer
spacer
spacer

spacer
Advertising in general is simply a matter of displaying information about a product or service. If you are interested in what opportunities there are for participants, especially those who want to get the attention of site selectors, to advertise in The Network, CLICK HERE.
spacer
Exchanging links is a form of advertising. CLICK HERE to learn what interest The Network has in exchanging links. We (who we are) can tell you in advance that The Network depends on search engines finding its webpages based on useful informational content. The best search engines have reached a point of sophistication today where the scheme of exchanging links as an advertising gimmick is of little value. Link exchanges need to be based on relevant content.

go back
spacer

Rather than request user fees or campaign for contributions from members of the target audience of The Network we seek participation from resource and service providers listed in the Global Registry of Contacts. We do accept contributions from those who want to support the The Network as an online information service. The Network is provided online as a free-access resource by Economic Development Services Inc as a non-profit operation, although it has no legal status as such and EDS is unaware of any tax consequences of making a contribution. Contributions are accepted strictly as support for The Network. Thus far in 2008, EDS has received contributions for online operations ranging from $5 cash to a $1,500 check.
spacer
Financial support provide for the operations of The Network can be mailed to EDS, 10822 Big Canoe, Big Canoe, GA 30143-5136 (USA). Checks or money orders should be made out to EDS in US Dollars. Only a check drawn on an account at a financial institution or service with a physical location and actively doing business in the US can be deposited to the EDS bank account. Email EDS if you have questions or commentsdashtelephone 706-579-1526.

go back

spacer
spacer
spacer
CLICK HERE for another page of questions and answers / go back
about us / copyrights © and all rights reserved / 06/03/2009