Released on = March 31, 2006, 1:40 pm

Press Release Author = StrafeRight LLC

Industry = Internet & Online

Press Release Summary = For many Internet forum owners, the desire to reward members
as well as the need to stand out in a crowded marketplace means big prizes and fun
contests. Is this the Internet's best-kept secret?

Press Release Body = Ask any active message board member and they will all tell you
the same thing: \"It\'s addictive.\" Message boards offer their members a chance to
engage in conversation on topics that genuinely interest them with other like-minded
individuals without worrying about awkward pauses or what clothes they are wearing.
What\'s more, there are always new conversations happening, so there is never a fear
of boredom. This kind of environment evokes thoughtful discussion as well as heated
debates.

Each day, millions of people around the world log on to their favorite message
boards, starting with their first sip of morning coffee and ending at that last
message check before bedtime. But for some members, the reward for checking in often
goes beyond the emotional and educational support - they log on for the prizes.

With a very crowded virtual field populated by lots of active forums and lots of
ghost towns and everything in between, some Internet forums do what they can to step
away from the pack. The best way for a board to stand out is to reward its members
well. It is not uncommon to see active, well run message boards offering vacations,
electronics, gift certificates or any other valuable prize to its members by way of
contests and promotions. Get free stuff for just being a member? Not a bad deal at
all.

NotebookForums.com, a large forum dedicated entirely to laptop discussion and
notebook reviews, is an example of such a forum. From April 1st through April 30th,
NotebookForums.com is giving away a high-end custom painted laptop to the member who
refers the most users to the board. Laura Alter, one of the site\'s owners, feels
strongly that, \"the members who come here day in and day out and use their knowledge
to help others deserve to be rewarded. By running contests like this one, we are
able to give back to the members who make us what we are.\" With millions of posts
and tens of thousands of members, apparently their members are feeling the love.

Does this mean that an Internet message board without the budgets or the sponsors
can\'t compete in today\'s Internet marketplace? That\'s not the case, according to
Alter. \"While there are many empty message boards that have long been abandoned,
there is still plenty of room for new boards to start. All it takes is a passion for
one topic, and a need for Internet surfers to talk about it. You would be surprised
at what gets people in the door. A simple conversation might be all we need to feel
right at home.\"

About NotebookForums.com:

NotebookForums.com, owned by StrafeRight LLC was started in mid-2002 as a resource
for dedicated Sager\\. Very quickly, the site grew to include other manufacturers at
the request of its members. Today, NotebookForums.com has over 63,000 registered
members and nearly 2 million posts.

CONTACT:

Laura Alter
http://www.StrafeRight.com
512.844.4818


# # #


Web Site = http://www.notebookforums.com

Contact Details = Laura Alter
9415 Burnet Road, Suite 210
Austin , 78758
$$country

512-844-4818
laura@notebookforums.com
http://www.notebookforums.com