Place your bids: EverQuest auction site to go public July 20

MMORPG purists, be prepared to jump on your high horses again. In just a week, Sony will officially crack under pressure and open its doors to mediated item auctioning — that is,
they'll let all those level 40 Halfling clerics sell off their ultra-rare Ring of Powers for real-world cash (or just sell the entire Hobbit). Now, this seems to be a step in the right direction for Sony.  If this cash-for-pixel-
equipment phenomenon is going to occur despite their best efforts, Sony might as well embrace and try to mediate it.  And, while they're at it, just skim a little bit off the top and make some money for themselves. 

Just to bring up the controversy again, what do you think?  Is this site a good idea for Sony?

(UPDATE: Thanks to Arpeggio for the scoop; if you look at the help page on the Station Exchange site, it specifically states that this auction will only affect new soon-to-be-opened servers and those currently running will not be a part of this.)

[via GameSpot]