Agora is an open trading platform for individuals and groups to post things that theyhave and exchange them for things that they need. Have an extra laptop lying around? Need a bike instead? No problem! With Agora, you can specify what you’d like in exchange (including cash or services) and the system will alert you to others that have what you’re looking for. You can make offers, negotiate with others until you secure an agreement, and then leave comments and ratings for your completed deals.

Agora is an Android “app” that is downloadable from the Android Market. It has been tested across a range of handsets and is compatible with Android 1.6 OS and above.

After you download the app, go through the simple registration process on your device and and you are good to go. You can Search for items listed around you or create a New Listing in your location (or another location) with a desired price (or noting that you’ll accept offers - i.e. swaps) and one or more pictures.

If you have questions for the seller of an item, you can leave a public Comment. If you find an item you want to negotiate for, tap “Negotiate” and you will enter into a IM-like chat session with that user where you can negotiate.

The Inbox is where you can find negotiation invitations from other users and all of your open negotiations.

IMPORTANT: After you download the App and register, don’t forget to link your Twitter account with your Agora account! You can do this within the Social/Web Preferences tab in the my profile screen (where you can also write a little more info about yourself. Linking your Twitter account will allow you to tweet new listings so others will see them - and it will also mean that your new listings will appear on this home page.

Attention developers: we will be opening up the Agora API soon. Please Tweet with the tag #bvagora to request a preview.