The concept is simple: you, the manufacturer (or Webmaster or programmer) have come up with a new something that has hit the market within the last 30 days or that you plan to introduce within the next 30 days. You send a press release to HOT PRODUCT NEWS and, free of charge, they put it in their newsletter and stick it into the searchable database on their Web site. If you want to have your product info stay in the database for more than a week, you pay $100 to keep it there for up to six months.

On the receiving end, HOT PRODUCT NEWS subscribers get a daily e-mail full of new-ness, with links to URLs where they can learn more about the day's hot products.

Here's a quote from the site: "Press releases on Hot Products and services will be considered for inclusion in the 'New Items This Week' category under one of the four main categories; 'Computers and Peripherals', 'Internet Products and Services', 'Software and Upgrades' and 'Other Products and Services.'"

Please note the phrase, "considered for inclusion." The newsletter and its associated Web site are notably free of junk. Virtually everything we spotted in them was worth a look for someone with a basic interest in the appropriate field -- and generally fun to look at and learn about even if you aren't.

You just never know when you might suddenly need a $100,000 commercial-grade tester for 100 MHz SDRAM modules; or a one-of-a-kind magentic dart that "incorporates a spring-loaded, rotating shaft to help minimize deflection"; or "the first-ever inflatable basketball system."

Imagine a Christmas wish list for grownup early adopters -- or a great "in one place" online source of new product information for journalists who earn their livings writing about such things. If the idea attracts, subscribe.