Frequently Asked Questions
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About
BootSpace
What is BootSpace?
BootSpace is a client/server
software solution that uses proprietary, patent-pending technology to deliver
targeted animated graphic “BootScreens” to computer users. These BootScreens are displayed during the
computer’s boot-up sequence, and replace the Microsoft Windowsâ “clouds” boot-up screen.
How does the BootSpace software work?
BootSpace has developed a
special technology that will download new BootScreens using idle bandwidth
when you are online. This technology
ensures that your online experience is not affected in any way. These BootScreens are then stored in your computer
and automatically displayed every time you turn on your computer.
Will I see different BootScreens every time I turn on my computer?
Yes, so long as you access
the Internet on a regular basis. BootSpace
automatically downloads new BootScreens every time you access the Internet
so that a different BootScreen is displayed every time you boot-up your computer.
How long is the BootScreen displayed when the computer is turned on?
The BootScreen is displayed
for the exact same amount of time that you currently look at the Microsoft
Windowsâ boot-up screen, usually
anywhere from 30 to 60 seconds, depending on how you’ve configured your computer.
Will BootSpace slow down the time it takes to boot-up my computer? What about Web surfing?
No to both. BootSpace does not change the amount of time
it takes you to boot-up your computer, and will not slow down your Web surfing
experience.
If I see an interesting ad or offer on my BootScreen, can I access that information later?
Yes. BootSpace makes it easy to take advantage of
the BootScreen offers by adding a “floating window” in the upper-right corner
of the computer’s desktop that corresponds to the BootScreen. The floating window is “clickable” with links
directly to the associated Web sites.
What if I’m interested in accessing a BootScreen offer I viewed several days ago?
Past BootScreen offers can
be easily accessed from your desktop with the floating window’s scroll buttons.
Can the floating window be closed? Moved?
Yes, the floating window
can be closed or dragged to any location on your desktop.
What are the minimum system requirements for using BootSpace?
The use BootSpace you need
to have the following:
- Windows 95, 98, or ME (If you are using Win 95, you also need to have an updated version of Winsock. This is provided automatically with Internet Explorer 4.01 or via direct download from Microsoft here.)
- An Internet connection
- 2 MB of disk space for BootSpace download
What is the size of the BootSpace application?
The BootSpace application
is only about 200 KB.
Does BootSpace run on a Mac?
Not yet. A Mac version of BootSpace will be coming out
shortly.
How do I activate BootSpace?
Once you have downloaded
and installed BootSpace, it is instantly activated. As such, you should see a new BootScreen the next time that you
boot-up your computer.
Do I need to be connected
to the Internet to see BootScreens?
No, the BootScreens will
appear during the boot-up sequence regardless of whether you are connected
to the Internet.
Can I check my loyalty
program account balances using BootSpace?
Yes, if you installed a copy
of BootSpace that is linked with a loyalty program, you can simply right click
on the floating window. One of the
menu choices allows you to check your loyalty program account balances. This functionality is determined by the sponsor
of your loyalty program.
How do I get additional support?
Please send an e-mail to
support@bootspace.com and someone will
respond to your questions.
Installing
and Uninstalling BootSpace
How do I install BootSpace?
Currently, BootSpace comes
bundled with the software packages provided by our distribution partners including
Internet Service Providers, Internet Incentive Networks, OEM’s, and other
online businesses. If you use their
products and/or services, you'll be able
to download BootSpace.
How do I uninstall BootSpace?
Since BootSpace is entirely permission-based, BootSpace may be uninstalled at any time. Simply follow these easy steps:
- Step One:
Click on Start button
- Step Two:
Select Settings and then Control Panel
- Step Three:
Double click on the Add/Remove Programs icon
- Step Four:
Select BootSpace on the list
- Step Five:
Click the Add/Remove Programs button
Can I use BootSpace on all of my computers?
Yes, so long as you download
and install BootSpace onto each of those computers.
Can I use BootSpace at home and at work?
Again yes, so long as you
download and install BootSpace onto both your work and home computer. Moreover, because BootSpace’s special technology
only downloads BootScreens using “unused” bandwidth, BootSpace will not negatively
affect your office computer network.
Targeting
and Privacy Issues
Does BootSpace collect information about its users? If so, why?
Yes, BootSpace collects a
small amount of information about you when you sign up for our service and
also tracks information about what BootScreens you have seen and accessed
from your desktop. This information
is completely anonymous. Since BootSpace
does not ask for a credit card or social security numbers, there is no way
of verifying your identity. BootSpace
uses this information to ensure that your BootScreens are interesting and
relevant.
Does BootSpace have a privacy policy?
Yes. BootSpace respects the privacy of its users
and will only distribute the information it collects if the user gives us
permission to do so. And even then,
the user information is completely anonymous and is provided merely on an
aggregated basis. BootSpace also respects
the privacy policies of all of its business partners.
See the BootSpace privacy
statement for more details about how BootSpace protects your privacy online.
Can BootSpace target ads
to specific end users?
Yes, BootSpace’s Push, Place
& Pull TechnologyÔ
has the ability to separate, segment and select audiences based on the user’s
demographic, geographic or psychographic information. Moreover, many of our distribution partners have this same capability.
When this information is combined with BootSpace’s ability to customize
messages for different end-users, BootSpace provides “precision marketing”
that allows for true “one-to-one” targeting.
BootSpace’s marketing solution is unsurpassed in terms of accuracy,
timeliness and effectiveness.
FAQs:
Potential Advertisers
Why not just use banner ads, e-mails or other online marketing methods?
Banner ads and e-mails are
forms of “interruption marketing” – they are designed to distract consumers'
attention from their preferred task, whether it be surfing the Internet, reading
online content, or corresponding via e-mail. Repeated research studies have shown that users become desensitized
to such intrusive advertising as they learn how to ignore ad content and focus
on their preferred task. By contrast,
BootSpace does not interrupt users from any task. Our technology simply replaces one graphic, the Microsoft Windowsâ “clouds” logo, with your ad. Additionally, until BootSpace’s Push, Place
& Pull Technology
,
there has been no effective method to promote a brand holder’s message when
the customer disconnects from the Internet.
How is BootSpace’s marketing approach unique?
BootSpace’s patent-pending
technology ensures that your message doesn't have to compete for your customer's
attention, like with banner ads, e-mails, interstitials or other cluttered,
ineffective marketing methods. Instead,
BootSpace delivers unobtrusive, full-screen, targeted ads to computer users
during the boot-up sequence, every time they turn on their computers, thus
guaranteeing that your ad is the very first and only thing your customer sees.
Moreover, BootSpace allows you to place a small graphic on the users’
desktops that that can be clicked to access to your Web site.
This “brand package” allows you to repeatedly reinforce your campaign
at three key interaction points: the initial boot-up sequence, the desktop,
and the Internet. And since BootSpace
advertising is permission-based, there is no fear of brand backlash, ad blocking
or filtering.
Can BootSpace target ads to specific demographics?
Yes. When BootSpace end-users opt-in, BootSpace
collects detailed demographic information that permits advertisers to target
their buys. This information, coupled
with BootSpace’s unique features such as prime display location, multi-pronged
delivery and guaranteed unique end-users enable precise targeting.
How difficult is it to create BootScreens?
It’s easy. BootSpace will provide you with a tool to easily
create dynamic BootScreens from your existing images (bitmap, gif, etc.).
Using the tool, creating high-quality BootScreens is as easy as dragging
and dropping images. Alternatively, you can provide us with the
images you want and we will turn them into BootScreens for you.
FAQs:
Potential Business Partners
Why would I want to partner with BootSpace?
BootSpace can provide you
with a powerful new revenue stream by putting you in full control of the most
desirable advertising real estate on the computer – the boot-up screens and
desktops of your customers. Whether
you are an Internet Service Provider, Internet Incentive Network, OEM, or
Online Business, our technology allows you to deliver unobtrusive sales and
branding messages that will increase end-user loyalty and drive Web site traffic.
Can I brand the floating window?
Yes, BootSpace allows you
to brand the floating window that sits on the user’s desktop by placing your
brand name and logo on the top bar of the window above the advertisement.
Can I place a link to my Web site within the floating window and still display other ads or offers?
Yes, your brand name and
logo that sits on the top bar of the window above the advertisement can be
clicked by the end-user to directly access your Web site.