At the top of the front page of the printed version of this issue, every licensed acupuncturist and doctor of Oriental medicine in the United States has been issued a unique personal user identification tag (ID) and password that allows access to certain areas of acupuncturetoday.com.* While the immediate benefit of these features will be the topic of discussion in chat rooms and online forums across the Internet for some time, the use of a user ID/password system opens up a world of opportunities for the profession and for acupuncturetoday.com.

In the next few months, you will be treated to features not usually available on most acupuncture sites. For example, the user ID/password system will be a key component to the eClassifieds, an electronic version of classified advertising that will let users post information on practices for sale; practices wanted; job opportunities; and other items.

Additional services will be added on an ongoing basis. Among the features being considered:

• an online store, the AcupunctureMall, that will soon be operational. AcupunctureMall allows companies the ability to offer you discounts to products and services without revealing the prices of these items to the general public.
• an online acupuncture calendar that lists acupuncture-related events by location or the date the event is being held. Users will also be able to receive e-mail notification of upcoming events in their area; and
• a private "acupuncturists only" forum, which will allow licensed acupuncturists and DOMs the ability to communicate with their peers in a secure online setting.

Acupuncturetoday.com's team of Web designers is also in the process of redesigning the site so that users can take full advantage of all the benefits a user ID/password system offers. Be sure to write down your used ID and password as it appears at the top of the front page of this issue, and keep that information in a secure place. Also make sure to visit acupuncturetoday.com, and to keep reading this column for continuing updates.

* Acupuncture students will be able to access these features once they are licensed.

Acupuncture Today editorial staff members research, investigate and write articles for the publication on an ongoing basis. To contact the Editorial Department or submit an article of your own for consideration, email mailto: .