February 26, 1998

Buddy, Can You Spare a Dime? Click Yes

By PAMELA LiCALZI O'CONNELL

ich Schmidt did not see much point in posting a personal Web page that listed, say, the contents of his CD collection. "No one would care," he said. But then he hit on an idea that might address a rather persistent lack of disposable income: ask strangers for money. The result, the Amazing "Send Me a Dollar" Web site, is an example of a very old profession updated for the Web. The virtual beggar has arrived.

Credit: Chris Pizzello for The New York Times Rich Schmidt's virtual cup is on his Amazing "Send Me a Dollar" Web site.

For indisputable proof, check the Net's most popular directory, Yahoo, which has created a spot in its taxonomy called Begging for Money under "Humor, Jokes and Fun." That may seem unkind, but Yahoo has put its finger on the central paradox of online begging.

On the Web, mendicant sites must entertain.

Sure, there are some digital beggars who play it straight, like the unemployed computer technician with a heap of debt, including a $10,000 loan for a 1995 Ford Thunderbird. But they are generally no fun. Too needy.

For that matter, anyone with a couple of grand for equipment and access to the Web should probably not try to keep a straight face while claiming to be destitute.

Schmidt was among the first online beggars to offer an interactive incentive.

He will put donors' messages on his site's bulletin board, making it an example of Internet culture and commerce.

Schmidt has received alms from Australia, Brazil, France, Finland, England, Germany and Japan. His virtual tin cup now contains about $300, which is by far the most sent to any online beggar turned up by searching the Web.

Still, the mail-in approach seems a tad archaic, given the medium. Some beggars now offer to accept handouts via Visa, Mastercard and, yes, even the various forms of digital scrip known as "virtual cash."

Even with such conveniences, however, it seems that few other on-line beggars have been able to match Mr. Schmidt's meager returns. Most are like Jim Denison, who publishes the Make Me Richer Than Bill Gates page and who cheerfully takes payment by "cash, checks, gold bullion, bearer bonds, loose jewels" and credit card.

Mr Denison said he had brought in "roughly $30 over nine months." He added, "That would put me about $165 short of paying my Web bills."

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