Like many folks, you have heard of online auctions. Heck, even non-computer users have heard of Ebay. Everyone starts out as a bidder. The brave move on to be sellers. Little, by little, you learn ropes.

One of those “ropes” that seems to always give people problems is working with their auction photo. Previous photo experience may have only been limited to seller’s children or pets. Suddenly, they find themselves wading thorough terms such as “pixel,” “uploading,” and “compression.”

Sure, Ebay has tutorials, but it’s not whole story. Isn’t it frustrating that “help” files are always “streamlined?” Doesn’t it seem like step-by-step details are missing? I pondered this one day, trying to look through eyes of someone who’s never heard of “image hosting” before. For example, did you know that there are 5 screens that you have to pass through before you get to screen for uploading your pictures to Ebay? Did you know that you can practice uploading pictures without making an actual auction listing? I’m sure you feel braver already!

Just make your way to fifth screen and don't continue after that - (because listing was not completed, it will not be listed. If you go to sell a real item, your "mock" listing will be there - your choice will be to start a new listing or finish your last (mock) listing - …starting a new listing will delete any drafts or “mock” listing.)

I bet you’re really mixed up when you find out there are 3 choices when you get there: “ebay picture services,” “basic picture services,” and “picture manager.” Who wouldn’t be confused? I clearly outline these choices in my free online auction tutorials including which one you need and why (hint: it’s not same for every person).

Google, in their march to stay ahead of pack of competition, has released Google Desktop Search. With Microsoft's MSN in lead position and nipping at Google's heels, and Google's new shareholders to please, Google has more incentive than ever to deploy technology both better than other guy's, and sooner. After all, first to get loaded to desktop is more likely to build and retain user loyalty.

Google Desktop Search allows you to search within various types of files on your computer. It's still in beta, but is available for download by anyone. It requires Windows XP or Windows 2000 with at least Service Pack 3. It runs as a memory-resident application, with a system tray icon, so that it can index new documents as they are created.