With respect, Mel and Zorba are relatively very new collectors and Rich a professional auctioneer. I'm a bit more curious as to what longer term collectors feel. And my bet is the answer will be near unanimous once they post, if they do. I, literally, know not one collector who wants to have their poster auction linked during bidding. Do you, Ari? Does anyone? I find it a very easy courtesy to wait a few days for discussion.
Rich and Mel have been the two most vocal about what I see as a pretty minor matter and easy courtesy -- although we're awaiting your open letter to MoPo on the matter, Rich. Perhaps we should listen to views on posting mid-auction auctions from collectors as opposed to full time auctioneers.
Between Mel and Rich the only logic put forth so far as to why posting current auctions is a good idea is: "hey, I may want to bid on it!". The very reason collectors don't want their poster auctions posted mid auction. Collectors, in my experience, don't want their current auctions broadcasted to a poster forum. A collector, knowing he's not going to bid on the item, imposing three minutes of fleeting poster-talk fun on a live auction that may result in a collector adding $5, $50, $500 to his price tag doesn't weigh in well against the chance of saving a collector money. It doesn't weigh at all, in fact..