As millions flock to Craigslist (http://www.craigslist.org) in 57 cities in the United States, Canada, Britain, and Australia, a recent investment by Web auctioneer eBay Inc has worried some users that their online neighborhood may soon become an advertisement-clogged, profit-focused business.

But as Craigslist nears its 10th anniversary, founder Craig Newmark wants everyone to relax. He says the site will not stray from a "keep-it-simple" social mission of providing a platform for users to air their thoughts -- even if, in order to grow, it increasingly does need to charge for some services.

"People who have cared about the eBay thing are tens of people rather than hundreds, but it doesn't hurt to be reminded of your true mission by the skeptics," Newmark told Reuters.