Money Manager's prediction of internet businesses from 12 years ago [1996]

Some highlights:

"Pure Internet access is a commodity, and the luxury prices that ISPs are charging will fall to $3 to $5 a month for unlimited access."

Damn, I wish I paid $5 for unlimited net access.

"Shrink-wrapped software will be replaced by problem-specific applets delivered over the Net for a small fee or packaged with data and services."

Shrink wrapped software is still well and kicking. Web apps have not come close to replacing desktop apps, though business models like SaaS are a start.

"The proprietary Internet-access model is even worse. The Microsoft Network abandoned its proprietary software soon after the network launched, Prodigy followed, then CompuServe threw in the towel. America Online has to be next."

Good call.

"You may pay 25 cents to use the applet online; your Internet service provider will itemize those quarters in a monthly bill. (AT&AMPT is pretty good at this.) For the moment it would be too speculative to even estimate the size of this market, but I think it will provide numerous opportunities as we approach the millennium."

Nope, we've yet to see micropayments take off...