July 2, 2001 – Smalltimes.com opened a message board today, available to all registered users. The new board was created to host comments and discussions concerning the fast-growing field of small technology: MEMS, microsystems and nanotechnology.

“Small tech is expanding and evolving daily, and with that change comes competing ideas,” said Steve Crosby, vice president and managing editor of Small Times Media. “Our writers have reported on several of these provocative issues recently.

“Government funding of high-risk research, and the academic debate over publishing vs. patenting are two examples. Intelligent, thoughtful arguments can be made – should be made – on important issues such as these,” Crosby said. “Our message board will serve as a forum for the type of discussions that are inevitable and necessary as this technology moves from the laboratory to the marketplace.”

Smalltimes.com launched April 17. Visitors to the site have increased rapidly, quadrupling weekly traffic since late April. During June, readers visited the site from 44 countries on six continents.

“In our discussions with researchers, business executives, venture capitalists and others, we’ve heard these issues being debated passionately and articulately in small groups across the U.S. and across the world,” Crosby said. “By making these discussions easily available to everyone, more ideas and better solutions will be generated.”

Users are required to register before posting comments, and discussions will be monitored to discourage personal attacks.

Small Times Media will launch a bi-monthly magazine beginning in September and host Small Tech 2001: The Microsystems Advantage conference and trade show in Washington, D.C., Sept 18-21.