'Carfax meets LinkedIn' on new Web site
A new Web site is expected to launch in the next two weeks that provides a virtual file cabinet for your records on a car, and later, possibly the house, boat or anything else you need to track.
The Web site, www.ZazHub.com, initially will provide free data sites for people to keep track of service on their vehicles. Then when the vehicle is sold, that data will transfer to the new owner, said site creator Joel Petersen of St. Charles.
"It's kind of like Carfax meets LinkedIn," Petersen said.
About 10 investors and Petersen have been working since they launched a beta version of the site last year. The beta version is being used by about 175 people, who are tracking their auto service, repairs, maintenance records and other information, said Petersen.
The site is intended to provide safety and reliability and a forum for people to discuss their experiences.
While the site is now free, it may transition into a members-only site by next year, charging a fee to participate and to store information, he said.
The ZazHub.com will be promoted at the Bloomington Gold Corvette rally in late June at the Pheasant Run in St. Charles.
The site also could soon be co-marketed with Merlin Auto Shops as well, Petersen said.
"One way or another, whatever you own will be eventually sold, even if it's after your funeral," said Petersen.
And that information, stored all in one spot, is valuable to the new owners, especially warranties and service schedules, he said.
Surfing: Today's the day for the big switch from analog to digital TV. Nearly 9 in 10 households that rely only on antennas to watch television were fully ready for today's nationwide transition, according to a survey by the National Association of Broadcasters. Findings from this latest poll indicate that 88 percent of broadcast-only households are completely digital-ready, a considerable jump from 82 percent reported in NAB's April survey. Of the 12 percent, or 2.2 million, over-the-air households that are still unprepared for the transition, 3 percent have applied for or already received converter box coupons from the federal government. But 9 percent, or 1.75 million households, while aware of the transition, have not yet taken any action to prepare for the transition.
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