This week: Would you bet the cyber-farm on Internet stocks?

The stock market has been on a crazy rollercoaster course lately, and the stocks most often hit the hardest are the high-tech stocks on the NASDAQ index. Some say that tech and Internet stocks have been ridiculously inflated in value. Some say that this is just normal fluctuation in a market made nervous by runaway economic growth. What do you think? Are tech and 'Net stocks really the wave of the future or just a passing "fad investment"? Would you stake your nest egg on these kinds of investments? Why or why not?

See what other Tripod members have said about this risky business -- then tell us what you think.

And see how members responded to the last survey about the Microsoft Monopoly.

For past survey results, check our survey archive.

Work & Money survey questions are updated every Wednesday.

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kf0yn: Absolutely not. So many of those "Internet" stocks have no measurable cash inflow and little prospect of turning a profit in the forseeable future. These are very young companies!

Saskatoon: A cop out....not a fad...but highly over-inflated for what they have shown or proven. As of yet, the Internet hasnt come through on any of its highly touted uses or promises. There will certainly be a correction or adjustment...but there will also be steady growth long-term (read 20 years plus).

CHoffmeyer: I would Invest In MSFT. As net stocks fall, Microsoft rises.

rubberneck: Internet stocks are a very shaky investment, as we've seen with such companies as Pipeline, Prodigy, Compuserve, and AOL. These busnesses are bound to fall (if they haven't already). Smarter investments would include such things as cable modem service or ISDN providers -- these are clearly the wave of the future.

AlMiller: Those who have good inside knowledge of technology companies and developments will be able to make great profits if they buy at the right time. Strong tech companies like Intel, Microsoft, Seagate, and IBM have produced tremendous capital appreciation and remain good long-term investments because of solid earnings. Newer companies like Iomega have great earnings potential, but became over-hyped and overvalued.

Many Internet IPOs such as Yahoo have become "fad" stocks and show no potential for their earnings to come in line with stock value.

Personally, I would love to pick the next "hot" tech stock to buy low and sell really high. However, I never seem to have the funds to do it when the time is right.

LukasBradley: I think describing tech stocks as a 'roller coaster' is the best way to do so. One can invest a nominal amount at a low point, hope that the value grows slightly, then sell. It will go back down again, then you can buy again. Netscape is an excellent example. This can be lucrative, but it is very dangerous -- not advisable for beginners, and I certainly wouldn't invest my 'nest egg'.

Galapagos: High-tech is a good investment -- in the long run. Even with the ups-and-downs of everyday trading, certain companies will establish themselves, and their stocks will eventually rise. In the information arena, it's true that "long-term" could be only a year or two -- but it's still a good investment.

Twilight: I've never had enough money to gamble on high-tech. What money I managed to squirrel away is in mutual funds which have done well over the long run. But if I had extra...... I'd be willing to gamble on a new company providing their prospectus was promising and only after consulting wiser heads than mine.