To clarify it once again, there is 1st rule, called 'golden rule', for anybody interested in doing business on net. You can find it at this page at point number 1:

http://www.truste.org/webpublishers/pub_modelprivacystatement.html

But it seems that nobody remember it.

Well, this was really making me upset, and I had no more possibilities to consider to leave for a short travel for fun and amusement at all!!!

The last night of year? Not nice at all, not spent online anyway (of course). Rather totally nauseated by behaviours of persons that hide behind a PC.

I came back to big net first day of this new year anyway. I had to solve problem with webhoster as website still was not loading, done forwarding email receipts of renewals.

I had also decided to restart rank of Graphic Art Galleries Top Sites (guess why?), and I also had to complete more renewals.

Well... do you imagine I found a Christmas present? Not at all. At opposite, my account showed no domain names in it! The system was totally out of order.

I notified this fact to list of Domains REALM Insider, surely interested in important news.

Could you consider a short fun or amusement travel if you were experiencing something similar?

I could only dream of a whole sabatic year to recover from these events!

But unfortunately it is not possible nowadays for me, as it isn't easy to be paid when you make a big sale on net, you are in Europe, and company that must pay you is in USA.

Another day passed. The account that showed problems, and whole whois, seemed restored.

I completed all my controls and decided to see if I could find some interesting domain names for new projects and websites for my actual (and growing) network.

Some of good ones I found not registered and picked up?

internet-fun.org internet-circus.com

and of course...

internet-art.org

Gotcha!

At least a positive aspect and some nice moments of internet Christmas time 2002, one of worst Christmas of my life (I remember a decent or normal one no earlier than 8 years ago).

Let's hope in next ones.

And a last thought, I don't think you will find these new names listed on DomainsREALM.com anyway.

Respectfully submitted

Gian Luigi Ruggeri (aka XmX on net since 1997)

http://MakeFeelBetter.org

Pay safest way. Requesting cash is a clear indication of possible0 fraud. If possible, pay by credit card because you can dispute charges if goods are misrepresented or never arrive. If you pay by check, make it out to seller. But remember that merchandise probably won't be shipped until your check is deposited and cleared, so stopping payment is not an alternative.

PayPal, while very convenient and used by many, it has been reported that they may not provide same protection as a regular credit card in event of fraud. It is my opinion that they fall into same category as paying by check.

Someone who has a bank account is not normally a person who "hits and runs". Know if merchant offers a warranty or money back guarantee or before bidding on a product. You don't want to get stuck with a product that does not work or you're not satisfied with.

If you do have a problem, let auction site know. Some sites investigate problems like "shills" being used to bid prices up or other abuses of auction system. They may also want to know about sellers who don't deliver or misrepresent their wares. A bad record may result in a seller being barred from using site in future.

Above all, use common sense to guide you. Ask yourself: Is what seller promises realistic? Is this best way to buy this item? What is most I am willing to bid for it? If someone does out bid you, don't be afraid to out bid them. Remember however, not to go over your maximum bid price.

If you follow these simple rules, you may find online auctions to be a source of some great deals. If you don't, you may still get that great deal, but you could also find yourself wishing you had.