I don't think it was a trial run really. That would imply it was all planned out for the future. I think it was merely the eye opener showing how greedy people can be shepherded through the internet. I have to believe they were somewhat shocked by how easy it all was. Most of the early scammers were thinking on a much smaller scale. CMKX showed them that a trillion shares still didn't faze anyone. I remember the days when a billion shares sounded like a lot. Of course, the original penny stocks meant anything under $5 per share. No one dreamed of four zero stocks that anyone would actually buy.