2004-11-7
This is Gwen Outen with the VOA Special English Development
Report.
The Internet is a system of electronic computer communication. It
helps people share information, communicate with family and friends,
and start businesses. One popular Web site that whole communities
can use is craigslist.org. It helps people find the goods or
services they need. For example, if I want to sell my car, I can put
a message on Craigslist. Or if I want a new job, I can search the
employment area on the Web site. People use Craigslist to start
community groups or to provide services. They can find new friends
or search for a place to live. There are many uses for this kind of
Web site.
Craig Newmark started Craigslist in nineteen ninety-five. He had
just moved to San Francisco, California. He was sending his friends
information about parties and other events. He says interest in the
Web site increased. Almost ten years later, Craigslist exists in
forty-eight cities in the United States, and nine cities in four
other countries. Putting information on the site is free. However,
companies listing job openings and housing announcements in some
cities have to pay a small cost.
Mister Newmark says it is easy to create a Craigslist for any
city in the world. However, two questions must be answered first. Is
an English language Web site temporarily acceptable? And, does the
community truly want it? Mister Newmark says people have to ask to
set up a Craigslist in their community. His company keeps a record
of the number of requests. If enough community interest develops,
his company will create the site. In time, Mister Newmark says he
hopes to offer Craigslist in many languages.
Mister Newmark describes his Web site as a public service. He
says it is owned and shared by everyone. Mister Newmark says the Web
site is operated on traditional American values. He believes people
around the world share these same values. He says Craigslist is
about trying to help other people. And, he says his company urges
users to honor the shared interests of the community. It urges users
to follow moral traditions, be honest, do not steal and do the right
thing.
To learn more about Craigslist, visit the company Web site at
www.craigslist.org. Craigslist is one word: craigslist.
This VOA Special English Development Report was written by Jill
Moss. This is Gwen Outen.