Will's Web Watch: Playing cards with the Iraqi information minister

The first victim of war is the truth. And then the wallet. Iraqi Information Minister Mohammed Saeed al-Sahaf is evidence of both.

The number of websites which have sprung up attempting to make money from the war is a predictable bi-product of conflict in the modern age. Comical Ali, as the minister was dubbed, has become the driving force for much of this ecommerce boon - with his face and famous quotes adorning T-shirts, mugs and posters.

Even when surrounded by US tanks and soldiers - in clear view of the world's press - this is the man who said "I triple guarantee you, there are no American soldiers in Baghdad" and managed to keep a straight face.

Last week one UK website was crippled by demand for its range of Mohammed Saeed al-Sahaf T-shirts.

The man even has his own fan club now. Called, perhaps unsurprisingly, We Love the Iraqi Information Minister, the site offers some of the highlights from his regular press conferences.

"We have destroyed two tanks, fighter planes, two helicopters and their shovels - we have driven them back."

Similarly another UK website is offering packs of 'Most Wanted' playing cards. These are based on the in-no-way-tacky packs of cards distributed to US troops in the Gulf to help them recognise who they should be capturing - with 52 mugshots of Iraqi leaders at large. No prizes for guessing which card Saddam Hussein adorned. Think Motorhead songs and you'll be in the right kind of area.

However, while such things are either tasteless or humorous depending on your view point, there is a more serious reality underpinning these issues. The war was a massive victory for the web.

Only ecommerce enables businesses to be reactive in this way. Come up with an idea and it can be on your site, selling by the shipload within hours thanks to modern technology and the wonders of viral marketing.

T-shirts can be sold before they've even been ordered, printed or distributed to warehouses or delivery centres. Unlike shops - which would have to put in and order, wait for delivery and fill their shelves before they could even begin promotions - web-based businesses can mobilise within minutes. It may seem a trite point - shifting a few novelty T-shirts - but it is perfectly representative of the benefits of working online.

Figures out this week show that newspapers, without exception, failed to capitalise upon the war to drive circulation as they had done during previous conflicts. Why? Because their readers were instead turning to digital media in their droves.

Traditionally war would send circulations through the roof. Nothing increases the public's thirst for knowledge like a military conflict. However, the public - logging on to news services in their lunchbreak or just a button's press away from 24-hour TV news on digital - has already sated its appetite for news long before the next day's papers come out.

Whether you are after a topical T-shirt or up to the minute news, why wait? Patience may be a virtue but then the internet has never really put much stock in virtue.

Have you seen anything online which deserves closer examination? Send you comments and nominations to editorial@silicon.com.