A quick check and I find that AS was first 'online' in 2000 - take a look by clicking [_ here _]. It comes up as EBUD but was definitely on the Auctionsniper domain name.
Auctionsniper (as we know it) appeared about June 2001. [_ more _] - note the Ebay Status box - whatever happened to that feature?
The first ever snipe?
Have fun with the Wayback Machine!
R2