I thought the internet was free, why are you charging?

We charge for two reasons:

• First, most www sites lack content or unique information -- our site tookover one-year to create and has over 2700 archived articles from 63 countries, 3025 photos, 88 movies, current monthly multi/media newsletter (fifty five completed), an original pen-pal club created from scratch, special adult travel products and services from around the world and much, more. The site is updated daily by our 6,000 subscribers and TSM using our message boards, search archives and live chat room. Most of our material has never been seen by the traveling public and we think nothing exits like this site on the internet.

  There is a saying, "you get what you pay for" and nothing is for free. Same applies on the internet -- the stuff for free is old hash or anothers reworked (or re-linked) material ... "ours" is unique, fresh, original and truly informative for the single male. Someone has to pay our writers, create and manage our web site and administer the travel center -- that takes time and money! We feel our nominal fee is a bargain ... take a look inside and you decide.

• The second reason is security. We are a responsible travel publishers and conform to the accepted practices of an adult publication. We believe no one under 18 should be able to view all our site. We deal with an adult theme in travel and while nothing we publish is pornographic or lewd -- it is designed for the 18 and over adult male traveler.

  Just as with a Playboy magazine is shrink-wrapped or an "R" rated movie where you need to be over 18 to view, we feel the same about our site. We use a credit card in your name to guarantee to us you are over 18 (verified through a bank terminal ) -- there is no other way to enter the site. If you join by snail mail you must include a photo id.

Will I be put on a mailing list and how do you advertise?

• We have been in business now for over seven years. We do little advertising (we hate spam) and are found by the search engines and " word of mouth." We are internet web masters and we do our own work (scripts, html etc) and believe in net privacy. Your identity is confined to Tsm and no mailing lists are ever sold or even used by Tsm.

Why do you ask the members not to view all the files at once?

• It is called bandwidth. Just as if all the members of your gym showed up at once, no-one would get a chance to work out. Although we are on a T3, Netscape commercial secure server (actually the #1 independent web server in the country, www.best.com), we still have limits. If everyone started looking at the photos at once (remember there are over 1800) it would drastically slow the system. We are limited to about a gigabyte (100 megabytes) a day in bandwidth and it goes fast!

Why is that $59.95 for a year (plus the free Travel or Spanish book or photo disk) so cheap relative to that $29.95 for one month?

• Simple, we want you to join for a year and have TSM process your order. The one month subscription is handled by another company that specializes in automated password creations and card checking. That costs us extra. We also do it because many people are not sure what exactly they are purchasing and a inexpensive entry is an incentitive for the not/so/sure. We think once inside they'll renew -- there is nothing like Tsm on the internet!

  As a member, you can renew (you must do this yourself, we do not do automatic renew unless you ask for it in the renew process) for $49.95 a year or $6.95 a month.

What is the difference between the member and non-member buttons?

• Actually nothing but really alot. Let me explain:
  The non-member site is a partial mirror image of the real site except most of the links are disconnected. It allows you to see what is available and what you are getting for your money. One of my pet peeves (I'm sure one of yours too if you do alot of web surfing) of the net is that many adult sites want you to pay before you enter -- we don't think this is fair or appropriate. Since I usually don't buy a book, newsletter, paper or any other media unless I know what to expect we assume you act the same way -- called value for your money!

  We allow you to see "ALL" (all photos, articles, and movies have a short text description) but most of the actual links to the real item is blocked in the non-member area. This non-member area has approximately 5% of the links active and is good viewing and reading for all. Remember, all can see here, so nothing that might be inappropriate to a minor is shown!

• The more adult theme material is blocked but you can at least see what is available when you subscribe!

Is my credit card number safe?

• This is one of most overblown and most misunderstood issues on the internet. In all probability you have a greater risk when you give your credit card # out during a mail order (like buying computer software from one of those catalogues warehouses) transaction (who knows what the operator does with your number) or that cute waitress who takes your MasterCard for 15 minutes during a meal at your favorite restaurant.

I work behind a firewall, can I still view the Tsm site?

• Well, some firewalls (and some countries) block adult sites (to keep you working :-)). If this is your case we suggest using Safeweb which not only lets you view the web undetected but through a proxy server that should work behind your firewall. Give it a try.

What keeps me from giving out my password to a friend or even one of those news groups that are looking for "HOT" new www sites!

• For one thing we have your name in a database matched with your password -- if this combination happens to be logged in twice at the same time (we have programmed our computer to do the matching, so it is automatic) you'll be notified & your credit card will be billed accordingly. If you give it out to a news group and many people log in at the same time using your password, you passwords will lbe deleted immediately!

  Please read our terms of service and conditions for more information

• Another reason not to do this is it just wouldn't be cool or fair. We feel our prices are very reasonable (many web sites charge by the picture or article) and the monies is used to support the site and to guarantee your age -- be responsible!

Sometimes when I try and download one of your new movies I get this message .... " movie server is to busy, try later. " What does this mean?

• We moved our movies to a different server. The reason is that movies are large files (from 250k to 600k) and if a few people tried to view the same movie at once it would crash the entire travel site. Now, the main site will be operating even if there is a overly large demand for movies. When to many people try to view (just the movies) at once an automated message comes up and explains the problem. Sorta like a phone busy connection saying, " sorry, all lines are busy now, please try later."

I know of a special place you've missed, can I contribute or do I have to be a professional writer?

• We'd love it. The purpose of this web meeting place is to provide the best and most current information for the adult male traveler -- no better way than updates from our readers. You can sign an article with your e-mail address for direct response from our subscribers or as anonymous.The preferred way is just post on our message boards -- over 100 postings per/day and you can post as anonymous if desired. We suggest an "alias" (as www.hotmail.com) e-mail address if you'd like to hear from members directly.
  
  
• We also accept your photos, and you can send them either by snail mail or e-mail -- you should see our member upload page, 100's of photos that bring back the true joys of travel :-). All photos that receive the famous (infamous) *** get a free one-year membership for the current year.
  
  
• We also now have a contest (winner gets a free digital camera) of the best new and unknown destination for the single male. Members do the voting so get out there and do some exploring!

Can I show my friends your articles and pictures?

• Sure, but you can't reproduce them for distribution (print or electronically) without our written permission. Of course, your friend should be of proper age.

Why must I take a test to become a member, isn't that a little childish?

• Well maybe, but the test actually provides a function -- it makes perfectly clear the terms and conditions of our adult travel center and it is fun...especially if you don't pass .

Sometimes the text doesn't align properly (doesn't center), I can't play movies or sound, and some graphics don't show -- what is going on ... my friend says he doesn't have these problems?

• Ahhh, this is a browser problem (the application you view the www through) and not all browsers are created equal! AOL (America On-line) doesn't have the ability to have transparent in/line graphics, play movies or sound and align text yet. In addition, there are many reported problems with the browser including the inability to handle many fill-in forms. Most www documents are created using the norms initiated by Netscape, the "de facto" web standard (controls 60% of the market). The real problem is that between Netscape and Internet Explorer, there are differences too. Try both if you have any problems (especially the java chat rooms).

• AOL Alert:
  
  Several readers connecting via AOL have complained of poor image quality when using the AOL web browser. This is caused by a setting called "compress images" in the browser that causes it to completely mangle images in the interest of faster transmission. You should turn this setting "OFF" before viewing any of the comparison images on this site. Problems with viewing SOME photos of Tsm are the AOL browser problem -- all work fine in Netscape or Internet Explorer. To use the AOL browser, go to the preferences and uncheck the "use compressed graphics box" -- this will work!

• Web TV Alert:

  If you are connecting by Web TV, all should work except the movies and the chat room (java). We have been told future WebTV upgrades will allow the above to function properly. You also must set the preferences (show last two days) for the message boards since there is limited memory for Web TV boxes. We recommend using a direct internet connection where you can run Netscape ... CompuServe nodes can run Netscape and the software is free. Not only is Netscape twice as fast as the other browsers but all new html (web language) is created first by Netscape and the others are usually 6 month behind in adopting their standards. If you are serious about the net, then Netscape and its browser is a must -- our site is designed with Netscape protocol.

I don't understand the movie extensions -- what is a .mov and a .mpeg and how do I view. Also, what is that .hqx extension I see at the end of some multimedia newsletters.

• The .mov is a quicktime format (Mac) and the .mpeg (also .avi is a windows extension) is a PC windows format. Our movies are in the above formats and for the quicktime (.mov) format there is a shareware application available (look for it in the movie library) for a PC to play quicktime movies, in case your computer can't! Check out this link to get a Quicktime for Windows viewer and instructions for installing and setting up. Most new browsers (Vs. 3.0 of Netscape or Microsoft Explorer) now can play all with their plug-in architecture.

• As for that .hqx extension, that is a compression scheme for the Macintosh so their files can be sent over the Internet. Most browsers will expand it automatically once you download the file. If yours doesn't, you'll need Stuffit Expander, a popular shareware program (available at any Mac software site) to expand this file type. Most PC's use the .zip extension to compress their files -- Mac owners use unzip-it to expand these files. A good place to find these files (Mac or PC) is at shareware.com.

• Many of our newer movies are done in the Vivo format. You'll need a plug-in for your browser, get it at Vivo. This format can compress a quicktime movie 200x1, cool!

Aren't you worried about that senate bill to ban pornographic material and other adult stuff on the Internet.

• In all honesty we believe some of the material on the internet should be removed (i.e., underage women, sexual torture stories and some erotic pornographic action shots) and we will support such actions. Our site is guarded and secure and you have to be over 18 to enter -- no one under that age will be allowed. We have actually participated in closing some adult travel sites done in poor taste.

• Also, we do "not publish" sexual fantasy stories, lewd photos or other pornographic material -- just great pictures of beautiful women and report on how to find them :-).

What are your adult guidlines?

• We only publish information concerning consenting adults. Our site is dedicated to the independent single male who is looking for adventure, travel, romance and the possibility of a little lust (be it a girlfriend, wife, pen-pal, or a one-night-stand). We are a responsible media-travel publisher dedicated to the single male. We are "not" a tour operator (we frown on tours geared for lustful conquests) or a travel agency. We gather our information from many sources including our own members (over 5,000), reviewers and writers.

  Athough adult travel can be considered risque by some people, we feel (as any good reporter) obligated to tell and show all. We do not publish any material that is illegal, offensive, abusive, pornographic, lewd or sexually degrading. Our goal is to inform & report on all, not offend.

  If you feel any material at this site is not appropriate, please feel free to tell us immediately . We will review your request and take action accordingly.

  ** We tell all and show all and as far as we know, it is "NOT ILLEGAL" for guys to have some fun :-) **

• Rules are quite clear in the site (photos, chat, message boards, pen-pals etc.). Anything that contains information about illegal activities (i.e. procurement of under age women, abuse, scams, drugs) is deleted and also means immediate termination of that members passwords. We have a member moderator who watches the message boards for such activities (Tsm_moderator@hotmail.com) We don't tolerate these activities and if this is what your looking for we suggest you go elsewhere!!

Sounds good so far, can I join, look around for a few days and if it's not what I expect get a refund ?

• Sorry, no. That is one of th reasons why we have such an extensive preview section -- so you know what to expect. I don't think you'll be disappointed but there is "no" refund of any type and under any condition. I think of it as going to Disneyland, spending the day and trying all the rides and goodies and then when you leave ask for a refund -- not right and we don't do it!

What is your privacy policy?

• At TsmTravel.com we strive to give you as much control as possible over your personal information. If you subscribe to our services, from time to time we may ask (and you can refuse) additional information from you, such as your name, e-mail address, zip code, and other optional only personal demographic information in order to offer a better product and understand our membership needs.

• Much of this interaction takes place on our message boards. At no time will your personal information ever be viewed by a third party (bought, traded or bartered). TsmTravel does have links to other web sites and TsmTravel is not responsible for the privacy practices or the content of such web sites.

• TsmTravel site(s) contain cookie technology, which is used to provide custom information to you. For example, we utilize a cookie for your web browser to remember who you are when you log in or keep your personal information current if you use our chat rooms or message boards. These cookies can be turned off in your web browsers preferences control panel.

• Remember, this is an interactive site (communication with other members is a daily occurrence) and information you divulge to others (in private or public) is not a responsibility of TsmTravel to monitor and we accept no liability for the information you divulge.

• We only moderate these activities when we feel it threatens the stability of TsmTravel, is illegal or involves the sharing of your personal TsmTravel information (i.e. id/passwords, which means automatic cancellation of your account) for others to use. Bottom like, your TsmTravel personal information (including ip tracking on the message board, to protect against spam attacks) will never be used for any purpose outside of TsmTravel.

You know, I'm bored at my job, am good with a camera, like to write and love to travel -- do you have any job opening?

• :-)