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I have all the faith in Google to come up with a kick-butt service, but it's not going to beat PayPal on eBay any time soon - why? Because PayPal gets to make the rules on eBay. Since PayPal is owned by eBay, it's in eBay's best interests to protect PayPal's near-lock on the online eBay payment processing market, so they've come up with what they call (I love it) the eBay "Safe Payments Policy". (See, they're protecting us and keeping us safe. It's for our own good, of course.) The details of the policy are here: http://pages.ebay.com/help/policies/safe-payments- policy.html

The policy lists, explicitly, what payment methods sellers are allowed to accept. The only non-PayPal online methods permitted (other than accepting credit cards directly) are "Sellers may offer to accept payment through Certapay and Propay."

The policy goes on to then list, explicitly, some specific methods sellers may NOT accept, and then ends with... "Not permitted on eBay.com: ... Finally, sellers may not request payment through online payment methods not specifically permitted in this policy."

So it eBay hasn't given a payment method their blessing, eBay sellers can't accept it or offer to accept it in their listings. Those that do, per the policy, may suffer:
" * Listing cancellation
          * Forfeit of eBay fees on cancelled listings
          * Listing cancellation
          * Limits on account privileges
          * Loss of PowerSeller status
          * Account suspension "

eBay does that that "From time to time, as new payment services arise, eBay will evaluate them to determine whether they may present trust and safety concerns and are appropriate for the marketplace." - so they'll evaluate Google's system and any other new systems, but the criteria they state (I'm shocked they stated criteria...their decisions are usually arbitrary) present a huge hurdle, even for a company like Google - some of the criteria include if the method might cause "the potential for confusion among eBay users" - which, as a PowerSeller, I can say that PAYPAL causes "confusion among eBay users". The phrase "First Class Mail" or "This item is new" has even caused emails from "confused" eBay users.

The best part - eBay bans new services. So if new services are banned, and services have to have a track record to be permitted...then eBay-focused payment services that would compete with PayPal will never reach the point that eBay might have to approve them. The rule states "the payment service has a substantial historical track record of providing safe and reliable financial and/or banking related services".

You can read the rest of it at http://pages.ebay.com/help/policies/safe-payments- policy.html but it makes it pretty obvious from even just these few excerpts that eBay wrote it to keep Google from competing with PayPal. I suppose because it's their sandbox, they can decide who plays in it, but this seems almost monopolistic to me. At least in the US, eBay is the default, standard, well-known auction website - Overstock, Yahoo Auctions, etc. have all tried to compete with eBay and failed; eBay has the vast majority of the traffic, and now they're using that position to limit who can startup online auction payment processing services - because if you want to have a successful, profitable online auction payment processing service in the US, it's going to -have- to work with eBay to generate any sizable levels of revenue.

Another case of "We make the rules, so deal with it if you want to buy or sell on our site" from eBay and PayPal. I miss the days when they were much more community-oriented and community-friendly.

Well eBay's interface works well which is why it hasn't changed much in the traditional sense. However, factually speaking, Google's interface has changed since inception. I know you were just exaggerating but just look at the two: Inception: http://web.archive.org/web/19970614001443/http://w ww.ebay.com/ Current: http://www.ebay.com/

The Linksys NSLU2 is easy to get linux on, not too pricey and has USB ports to deal with most stuff. It's got a 133MHz processor as standard, but you can make it 266 by unsoldering something. A nice easy machine for all kinds of things.

> They can't stop you from paying with gbuy

They can stop the sellers from even mentioning that they accept anything but PayPal & standard offline payment methods though. All in the name of a Safe Payments Policy.

Note that I used the phrase "bid increment" which is eBay's way of avoiding penny bid incresases. The bid increment depends on the current maximum bid.

Regardless, the winning strategy would be to have lots of free time, then bid just before the end of the auction, then increase by a single bid increment just before the auction expires.

Because of this problem, it's not a favored auction type with buyers. Many sellers don't like it because they don't know when the auction is going to end.

Yes, if you just bid the maximum amount you're willing to pay, only a sniper willing to pay more can win. But that loss doesn't matter because you weren't willing to pay that much anyway. You'll pay only a little more than the lower bidders.

Can we agree to have search results show less garbage?

In US-America, your mom sucks off every nigger in the county*.

* If your county does not have any niggers, you can find one here.

http://cgi.ebay.com/DS-Import-Nintendo-DS-System-c onsole-Graphite-Black-NEW_W0QQitemZ8292690900QQcat egoryZ75555QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

That didn't take long.

Check out this auction. I don't know about you, but I'm calling the police as soon as I'm finished typing. Oh wait I almost forgot that would turn me into an irrational knee jerking reactionary.

Time Traveler.

You can buy it on eBay cheap, well, at least the DVD version, but it does come with 3d glasses.

and it's better (and cheaper) than the obvious alternative...

Gypsies used a similar trick to get free lunch, they called it "nail soup".

This story "Nail Broth" was on a Danny Kaye album called "Danny Kaye Tells 6 Stories From Faraway Places" (1960). I listened to it as a kid, but haven't heard it in years.

And yeah, having read the article, it's kinda like the band aid part is the least important...

Here's another 2.5" adapter@ $18. Most of the pcb on these adapters is to make them mount hole compatible with a standard 2.5" laptop hdd. I've seen and own smaller adapters, but if I were to mount them in an hdd slot/laptop, they'd rattle around in the dead space.

To my knowledge, CF is IDE:
"That is, it appears to the host device as if it were a hard disk of some defined size and has a tiny IDE controller onboard the CF device itself. " -from wiki of course. Since you're interested, know that CF cards have a limited write cycle. Unless something has changed recently using them as a r/w filsystem ensures they die earlier than they were intended.

A quick google tells me the Sharp Actius MM10 was a fanless crusoe based laptop. Here's one on eBay, currently $182 If memory serves, a 1ghz crusoe is akin to a 700-850mhz p3. The Crusoe was a sippin' chip, and that lcd is fairly small. Combined with a solid state disk I bet the battery life would be great. Also consider used fujitsu lifebooks and toshiba librettos.

-e

Recipe for long couch surfing.

Z505*** - ~$50-$100(ebay)

3x battery - $100

CF to Mini IDE - ~$10
http://cgi.ebay.com/Mini-IDE-CF-compact-card-adapt or-converter-for-notebook_W0QQitemZ8738065364QQihZ 005QQcategoryZ31534QQssPageNameZWD1VQQrdZ1QQcmdZVi ewItem

2GB CF - ~$30
http://search.ebay.com/2gb-cf-card_W0QQcatrefZC6QQ coactionZcompareQQcoentrypageZsearchQQcopagenumZ1Q QfromZR10QQfsooZ1QQfsopZ1QQftrtZ1QQftrvZ1QQsacatZQ 2d1QQsaprchiZQQsaprcloZQQssPageNameZWLRS

Google (write, spreadsheet, mail, etc...)

$250 - capable machine for everything but gaming.

Recipe for long couch surfing.

Z505*** - ~$50-$100(ebay)

3x battery - $100

CF to Mini IDE - ~$10
http://cgi.ebay.com/Mini-IDE-CF-compact-card-adapt or-converter-for-notebook_W0QQitemZ8738065364QQihZ 005QQcategoryZ31534QQssPageNameZWD1VQQrdZ1QQcmdZVi ewItem

2GB CF - ~$30
http://search.ebay.com/2gb-cf-card_W0QQcatrefZC6QQ coactionZcompareQQcoentrypageZsearchQQcopagenumZ1Q QfromZR10QQfsooZ1QQfsopZ1QQftrtZ1QQftrvZ1QQsacatZQ 2d1QQsaprchiZQQsaprcloZQQssPageNameZWLRS

Google (write, spreadsheet, mail, etc...)

$250 - capable machine for everything but gaming.

Here's one on ebay with a bb gun attached. Hunt down tape worms?

http://cgi.ebay.com/Radio-Controlled-Crawling-Bug- with-real-BB-Pellet-Gun_W0QQitemZ6063745013QQihZ00 9QQcategoryZ1200QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

While I have to admit this whole thing is quite hilarious -- I has to ask, was the buyer a total idiot? I mean, look at the seller's ebay profile:

http://feedback.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewFeed back&userid=amir6626&iid=6825578528

He had a NEGATIVE 2 rating, all based on auctions that took place BEFORE the auction that caused all the fury. Seriously, I think twice about buying from anyone who's had more than a couple negative feedbacks EVER. This guy did 4 auctions, 3 of which he screwed the buyers on. Caveat emptor dude....

- jonathan.

While I have to admit this whole thing is quite hilarious -- I has to ask, was the buyer a total idiot? I mean, look at the seller's ebay profile:

http://feedback.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewFeed back&userid=amir6626&iid=6825578528

He had a NEGATIVE 2 rating, all based on auctions that took place BEFORE the auction that caused all the fury. Seriously, I think twice about buying from anyone who's had more than a couple negative feedbacks EVER. This guy did 4 auctions, 3 of which he screwed the buyers on. Caveat emptor dude....

- jonathan.

I think Judy was looking for some independent verification, such as a link to a complaint lodged through ebay.

After reading a few posts I thought it's kind of silly to try and judge something like this based on a couple of web sites. I thought about posting a "conclusion mat" comment but changed my mind. For some reason the words silly and judge reminded me of Judy, so I made her the devils advocate.

In simpler words: The quote means jack shit.

both sellers had 99% approval and hundreds of sells, both times, the product was broken although the description said it was 'like new'

eBay is a fucking shithole, and more and more people are falling in every day.

Being in Britain, even if everything he says is true, that's not a defense.

Also, the one piece of positive feedback showing on Amir6626's eBay profile is from nicktofang, who seems to share a name quite similar to Amir Tofangsazan. nicktofang also has mediocre feedback, is no longer a member, and started with one piece of good feedback from amir6626.

Certainly looks fishy to me.

Also, the one piece of positive feedback showing on Amir6626's eBay profile is from nicktofang, who seems to share a name quite similar to Amir Tofangsazan. nicktofang also has mediocre feedback, is no longer a member, and started with one piece of good feedback from amir6626.

Certainly looks fishy to me.

For your viewing pleasure:

The original ebay auction (someone might wanna grab a mirror in case ebay decides to pull that down). Up for auction is a refurbished HP laptop with a 2.8 GHz P4 with two gigs of ram, a 15" screen and a DVD+/-RW. Ironically enough, the HD capacity is not listed.

The seller, amir6626, who is no longer a registered ebay member with a feedback score of -2 (0 at the time of the auction with only one or two total feedback tops).

The buyer, spikytom, an ebay member since '02 with a score of 79 (70 at the time of the auction) with a total of 1 negative feedback.

The bid history. Of note here is the fact that the auction was sniped 20 seconds before ending for GBP$350 (roughly US$660), quite a deal on the laptop that was listed.

For your viewing pleasure:

The original ebay auction (someone might wanna grab a mirror in case ebay decides to pull that down). Up for auction is a refurbished HP laptop with a 2.8 GHz P4 with two gigs of ram, a 15" screen and a DVD+/-RW. Ironically enough, the HD capacity is not listed.

The seller, amir6626, who is no longer a registered ebay member with a feedback score of -2 (0 at the time of the auction with only one or two total feedback tops).

The buyer, spikytom, an ebay member since '02 with a score of 79 (70 at the time of the auction) with a total of 1 negative feedback.

The bid history. Of note here is the fact that the auction was sniped 20 seconds before ending for GBP$350 (roughly US$660), quite a deal on the laptop that was listed.

For your viewing pleasure:

The original ebay auction (someone might wanna grab a mirror in case ebay decides to pull that down). Up for auction is a refurbished HP laptop with a 2.8 GHz P4 with two gigs of ram, a 15" screen and a DVD+/-RW. Ironically enough, the HD capacity is not listed.

The seller, amir6626, who is no longer a registered ebay member with a feedback score of -2 (0 at the time of the auction with only one or two total feedback tops).

The buyer, spikytom, an ebay member since '02 with a score of 79 (70 at the time of the auction) with a total of 1 negative feedback.

The bid history. Of note here is the fact that the auction was sniped 20 seconds before ending for GBP$350 (roughly US$660), quite a deal on the laptop that was listed.

For your viewing pleasure:

The original ebay auction (someone might wanna grab a mirror in case ebay decides to pull that down). Up for auction is a refurbished HP laptop with a 2.8 GHz P4 with two gigs of ram, a 15" screen and a DVD+/-RW. Ironically enough, the HD capacity is not listed.

The seller, amir6626, who is no longer a registered ebay member with a feedback score of -2 (0 at the time of the auction with only one or two total feedback tops).

The buyer, spikytom, an ebay member since '02 with a score of 79 (70 at the time of the auction) with a total of 1 negative feedback.

The bid history. Of note here is the fact that the auction was sniped 20 seconds before ending for GBP$350 (roughly US$660), quite a deal on the laptop that was listed.

Link to Amir's profile Amir has done this before.. and how typical that the only positive feedback comes from someone called Nick Tofang.....

Based on Amir's Ebay record, I'm going to guess that he's a slimy crook.

Here's a link to the finished auction.

http://search.ebay.com/search/search.dll?from=R40& satitle=mechassault Bam, it will cost you about 5 bucks plus another 5 to ship it Paypal makes it all easy and you can just message the seller to ask what version it is.

I picked a Motorola V180 for the following features: ... It seems to be as good a flip phone as you can get without having a camera.

Meh. I'm still happy with my 5 year old Motorola V60i. Monochrome screen, great battery life, small screen on the outside (shows me who's calling, or the current time), so cheap you'll probably not even be able to get it from your provider, no camera. It's also a tri-band GSM phone, which means you'll be able to use it just about anywhere in the world.

I could go even more basic, as the v60i does have some games and internet stuff (which I don't use, and you won't even know it's there if you don't scroll most of the way down the menu), but then you're into non-flip phone territory. My battery's going to give out soon (5 years on the same battery is pretty damned good), but I'm going to just replace the battery and not the phone. In fact, the only way I will ever upgrade to a different phone is if this one physically stops working and I can no longer get another v60i (unlikely, given ebay), or all wireless providers switch to some new technology that prevents a tri-band GSM phone from working.

IBM? Look at the top right of this site.

In fact, they use to do just this - they had it set up on ebay - this is a link to the feedback of the account: http://feedback.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewFeed back&userid=getaccess&item=-1&frm=1883

looks like they stopped in 04.

Maybe this is not a big deal, it's just "Ticketmaster", but everything has a beginning.

I think that the "new" system, only generates more profit (everybody knows this :P )... the tickets will have the "same" minimal prices (maybe somebody save some bucks some day), but they catch that people who buy tickets at EBay (at least a big part).

If Ticketmaster have the infrastructure is a really good move.
Some ppl pay more than 5 times (even MORE) the "original price".

Take a look at Madonna:
On Ticketmaster
and
On eBay

I'm not sure what kind of tritium you're taking about, but normal tritium is a gaseous isotope of hydrogen that emite beta radiation -- can't penetrate human skin. by "very radioactive" perhaps you meant sheer amount and not strength, yes?

You wouldn't want to ingest it, but it's used all over the place as a poersource for glow watches and keychains so i can't see where containment is an issue.

Dude, no matter how many times you repeat that it isn't going to be true!

Core system = $299. Full system $399.

If you want to pay some scalpers bumped up price thats fine, but the 360s retail price (which can be found most places now) are $299 and $399. Its not hard to find accurate information! How long did you have to look around to find these marked up prices? Why not just quote some Ebay auction selling them? In fact here you go: OMG!!!! 360s cost over $1,000 with just a few games!!!! What are they thinking?!?!?! Go buy a PS3 its cheaper!!!!!

Good to know the best of the mono headsets, but how come these stereo wraparound headsets+microphones aren't more popular?

Motorola Stereo Bluetooth headset

Generic Bluetooth Headset : Headphone MP3 Player FM Stereo Radio

Good to know the best of the mono headsets, but how come these stereo wraparound headsets+microphones aren't more popular?

Motorola Stereo Bluetooth headset

Generic Bluetooth Headset : Headphone MP3 Player FM Stereo Radio

The item description includes some information used in the FA.

Yes, tons of people do this. Take a look at the following sites for some examples:

Ultima Online - http://www.uoemporium.com/

Anarchy Online, DaoC, EVE Online, EQ, FFXI, SWG, WoW etc - http://www.ige.com/

http://www.ezgaming.com/
http://search.ebay.com/wow-gold

etc. etc. etc.

It's a huge economy actually, and I'm pretty surprised you haven't heard about that before. There was quite a lot of news coverage about Chinese "gold farmers" in WoW not too long ago.

What, you mean like 6 months ago?

Why don't you check it NOW:
http://search.ebay.com/search/search.dll?sofocus=b s&sbrftog=1&from=R10&satitle=xbox+360+system&sacat =-1%26catref%3DC6&bs=Search&fsop=1%26fsoo%3D1&coac tion=compare&copagenum=1&coentrypage=search&fgtp=& sargn=-1%26saslc%3D2&sadis=200&fpos=93117&ftrt=1&f trv=1&saprclo=&saprchi=/

Looks to me like they're selling at or BELOW retail...

Are you a shill?

https://signin.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?SignIn&co _partnerId=2

Much of it isn't in Java yet (after years of engineering and more years of marketing). Why not? Java not faster than a dll? Or Java just too dang expensive to implement?

The fact that Y! can pull slow scripts out and re-code them in C++ as mod_php extensions lets you focus your heavy coders where they are most needed.

I know, let's ask the Internet.

• Being a monopoly is not a crime.
• Using monopolistic business practices is a crime.
• One can be a monopoly without using monopolistic business practices.
• One can use monopolistic business practices without being a monopoly.

$60-$180? Someone's being brainwashed here!

$7-$8, that's more reasonable.
http://cgi.ebay.com/ISA-Trident-8900-Video-Card-51 2K-Memory_W0QQitemZ8711480113QQcategoryZ3762QQcmdZ ViewItem

During the three hour interrogation, the secret service asked my pilot buddy "So Mr. So and So, just exactly what is up with you exploring the George Bush bobble-head doll website on so and so date". My buddy replied, "Oh, that had to have been my ultra-liberal wife looking at those websites". Which is 100 percent the case given I know what a fan of GWB my friend is and how his wife doesn't particularly care for GWB.

Gee, if the government is afraid of people who look at George Bush Bobble-head dolls, I can imagine the treatment they'll give for people selling them. I guess its true that people who've abused cocaine for a long time have paranoid delusions over the weirdest things ...

Then I might finally be able to throw away that RPG in my closet.

Sell it on eBay instead.

I

You might be right about the sheep to geek ratio. Actually, you are. But I think you are wrong about your BS call (I'm calling BS to your BS, as it were). I'm 25. I am a geek. I messed around with QBASIC, poking at source of existing programs and trying to modify them without any guidance, a little when I was really young (12?), and that was more than I was willing to tackle at that time (I wasn't much of a geek then and didn't figure there were books on the subject). If it weren't for HTML and JavaScript being easy, having a readily available development platform, and having simple documentation (e.g. the web) readily available when I was 17, and my TI-82 being easy to create "programs" for, I'm not sure where I'd be (I am a web designer / developer by profession now). Not all of us start as uber-geeks that understand Visual Basic or C, eating pizza and Jolt from birth. Some of us need to be weaned in and something simple is exactly what we want. Further, some of us don't have geek parents there to guide us (my dad bragged for years he didn't know where the power button was on our Gateway 2000 P2 266) or geek mentors or know of geek books. It's probably easier for fledgling geeks now-a-days because of the Internet, but I disagree that any prominant IDE is simple to jump into for any newbie who has no mentor to help them on their way because even now I find them irritating to work with and learn (esp. Visual Basic).