To: Jim Bishop who wrote (17004 ) 12/15/1999 12:14:00 AM From: SSP Read Replies (1) | Respond to of 150070
BidCrawler.com, the LINUX-based auction search tool, set to launch early next year Vancouver, Dec 14, 1999 -- Kolyma Goldfields Ltd. (KMA.V) announces today that the management of BidCrawler Online Inc. expect to launch their LINUX-based auction search tool on January 10, 2000. The BidCrawler service will be available via the web site bidcrawler.com . Kolyma Goldfields Ltd. reported on July 30, 1999 that it has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire all of the outstanding common shares of BidCrawler Online Inc. BidCrawler's system is intended to operate as an auction assistant, over multiple auction sites. Users will be directed to the auction site with the best match of product or service that relates to their search criteria. In addition, the site will offer information on the online auction industry, such as auction ratings, category features, how to set up personal actions, contests, auction chat, a feature-rich electronic newsletter and special offers and promotions, intended to enhance the user's knowledge and enjoyment of Internet auctions. The anticipated successful debut of this auction-search tool is supported by recent research figures released by Gomez Advisors. The e-commerce research and analysis group expects the online auction market will increase by $US11 billion over the next two years, from US$4.5 billion this year to $15.5 billion in 2001. The BidCrawler service is based on the LINUX operating system. LINUX is the basis for many scaleable and performance-oriented applications and is provided as an alternative to Microsoft Windows 98 and Windows NT by companies such as VA LINUX Inc. (NasdaqNM:LNUX), Red Hat, Inc. (NasdaqNM:RHAT), Corel Corp. (NasdaqNM:CORL, TSE:COR), SuSE, Inc., and Caldera Systems Inc. "The use of LINUX allows the BidCrawler system to be powerful, yet cost-effective," said Dan Matthews, President of Kolyma Goldfields Ltd. " The key to success in the Internet auction space is flexibility, innovation and rapid reaction times. We believe that BidCrawler Online Inc.'s choice of LINUX will allow the BidCrawler system to achieve these goals, and most importantly, enable the system to adapt quickly and efficiently to the changing needs of the auction market." In addition, the LINUX system offers BidCrawler a unique opportunity to explore relationships with other LINUX-based companies to further develop and broaden the reach of this first-to-market auction aggregator. Soon to be acquired by Kolyma Goldfields, BidCrawler is the brainchild of two well-respected technology experts: Russell Krywolt and Graham Heal. As part of the agreement, Krywolt and Heal will serve as Chief Technology Officer and Vice President, respectively. Mr Krywolt has over a decade of Internet experience, having consulted on Internet strategy and solutions for BC Gas, Telus, Advanced Comm, ICBC and Sprint Canada, amongst others. Mr Heal was a founding member of Net Nanny, a premier Internet filtering service as well as performing as a senior level executive at Digital River (DRIV:NASDAQ). The Company has not closed on its acquisition of BidCrawler.com and the same remains subject to regulatory approval. The Company received shareholder approval of the acquisition at its Annual General Meeting on October 22, 1999. For more information please contact: Kolyma Goldfields Ltd. ACC Axis Investor Relations Corp. Suite 1900, 1055 West Hastings Street Vancouver, BC V6E 2E9 1-888-684-4224 Attn: Rob Barton The Canadian Venture Exchange has not reviewed and does not accept responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy or this release. Kolyma Goldfields Ltd. NEWS RELEASE Symbol: (kma.v)