AuctionBytes is introducing new and improved Discussion Forums! The new forums are easier to use, and we can now host many forums in one area of the site. In addition to having a general online auction discussion forum, and a forum devoted to Co-ops, we have recruited experts to moderate forums in some very interesting areas, including online payment services, books and vintage toys!

I feel that forums should be a place where users feel comfortable expressing their views and getting information without the threat of censorship. There will be basic rules of etiquette in place, but I want to keep this an area where ideas are exchanged freely. Let me know if there is a forum you would like to see added. I plan on expanding the areas based on user feedback. Also let me know if you are interested in moderating a forum.

Here is a little background on the forums and on our charter group of moderators:

Izzy Goodman will be hosting our Online Payment Services Forum. Izzy has written on this topic in AuctionBytes. His knowledge is based on his own experience and from reading about others' experiences with payment services as well as discussions with users, representatives of the services and other experts in the field. Have questions about PayPal, c2it, Billpoint, BidPay, ProPay? Have comments you'd like to share with others? This is the forum to vent your frustrations or learn more about the complexities of online payment services. Izzy owns Complete Computer Services Inc. and sells electronics online at http://www.ygoodman.com. He is not affiliated in any way, directly or indirectly, with any payment service.

Gary Sohmers is moderator of the Toys & Collectibles forum. We expect this to be a lively area (Gary is the only RoadShow appraiser we know that wears Hawaiian shirts and orange Converse sneakers). This is a great forum to indulge in nostalgic childhood reminiscences; chat about toys, rock memorabilia, or anything else that moves you. Gary operates Wex Rex Collectibles and appears as an appraiser in collectibles, toys and memorabilia on the WGBH PBS-TV program "The Antiques Roadshow". Gary also hosts his own Radio show on WBIX 1060AM - 11:00 AM to 12:00 NOON ET on Sundays. Call In Line: 877-711-1060. Gary also has his own Web site at http://www.allcollectors.com

Craig Stark moderates the Book Discussion Forum. Craig is a full-time online bookseller, and he is a regular contributor to AuctionBytes on the topic of buying and selling books online. (Another great install ment is in this issue!) Craig will be sharing more of his selling SECRETS in this forum! Craig sells all kinds of books, including rare and antique titles, signed first editions, and 20th century books. His own Web Site, http://www.braintreebooks.com, is coming soon.

Christine Hirschfeld has been collecting and selling Religious items online for many years and is an expert in older Catholic items such as books, statues, and sick call boxes. Christine is a member of the Catholic Auction Apostolate at http://www.smartgroups.com/groups/catholicauctions. If you have questions in this area, Christine would be the person to ask!

Ina and I will moderate the Online Auction and Co-op Forums. We're especially happy to be able to offer an area where co-operatives can be discussed, and we invite everyone to participate in this very worthwhile topic. This is a great place to talk about Auction News, too!

I'll be leaving the old chat forum in place for a short time, to let people wrap up threads there, but I encourage you to move the discussions to the new area. I'll be also adding new forums as I get requests for them.

The rules for posting are very basic. Please be courteous and stick to the topic at hand. Profane or abusive posts will be deleted. However, we welcome people's opinions on products and services. Because AuctionBytes does not have paid services in place, we do not feel it necessary to restrict the use of links to other sites that offer them. It's also important to remember that the moderators will be using their own discretion when it comes to inappropriate postings.

All that being said, online auction users are a passionate and vocal group. We welcome lively discussion. As topics are raised, Ina and I will be exploring the issues that you raise in future issues of this newsletter. In essence, you'll be guiding the direction of AuctionBytes with your participation.

You can find the new Discussion Area at http://www.auctionbytes.com/forum/phpBB/index.php

Hints: There is a registration link in the top right corner. You'll have to register to post. To post a message on a new subject, look for the large black and white box that says NEW TOPIC in the upper right quadrant of the page and simply click on it!

Welcome to the forums!