Just who is this Craig fellow, and why is his list so popular? Online community bulletin board craigslist was founded by computer programmer Craig Newmark, who in 1995 began informing people of events in San Francisco through a list server. The service later evolved into a Web forum for locals in metropolitan areas across the globe to post listings for jobs, housing, companionship and dating, the sale of goods and services, events, and additional community information. The firm charges businesses a fee to post job openings on about 20 major city sites; brokered apartment listings in New York City; and certain therapeutic listings; the rest of the service is free. Auction firm eBay owns about 30% of craigslist.