I feel like a craigslist original.  Living in San Francisco from 1999 to 2006, I knew about craigslist long before most others.  In fact, it seemed like a much better idea when it was basically only a San Francisco thing.  Craig apparently hung out at this cafe in Cole Valley, not far from the craigslist office in the Sunset District, and just liked the fact that he was 'Craig.'  But now, you can post a an on craiglists Beirut.  But I digress.

I'll never forget the day I walked pasted the craigslist office and did a double take.  I had no idea it was a run-of-the-mill Victorian in the middle of the increasingly hip part of the Sunset.  Very cool.  And it's still there.

Part of craigslist charm is that it feels largely unregulated.  It's shabby.  It's messy.  Anything goes.  Or at least anything went.  Craigslist has been forced to change in some areas.  For example, the Erotic Services category is not nearly as entertaining as it once was.  Local police departments put some heat on craigslist as escorts were using the board as place to advertise their services.  It's still raunchy, but not in the same way.

I have made some money thanks to craigslist by picking up a writing job here or there.  One has actually turned into a 'long term relationship,' a platonic, working one that is.  But the Writing Gigs section is starting to annoy me.  Craig has to do something about this.  And these criticisms are becoming more and more relevant in the other employment areas on CL. 

Overall, it seems that craigslist is allowing people to post gigs, and in some cases, albeit it's more rare, actual jobs that are not really true jobs at all.  Often, people post a gig or a job... but call it an 'internship.'  Usually an unpaid one.  Two years ago, it would have been a job paying something halfway decent.  Today, it's an internship.  I know the world is in an economic crisis, but I think it's also used an excuse to not pay people for doing work.  Craig needs to rebuke these ads.

Also, people, especially in posting writing gigs are just blatantly saying, here's what I need done, it's pretty extensive, and oh by the way, I'm can't pay you.  Or better yet, compensation is deferred.  Or it's based on standard Internet variables.  I write grants for a living these days... and often on craigslist people who want you to write a grant won't pay you, but they will offer you 'a percentage of any funds received.'  Bogus!!

These rants might not really even be criticisms of craigslist.  Maybe they are just merely a sign of the times.  But, all I am saying is that this is where I am noticing these pet peeves and it's really dragging down my craigslist experience.