<P> An unprecedented amount of personal investing occurred during the boom and stories of people quitting their jobs to engage in full - time day trading were common . The news media took advantage of the public's desire to invest in the stock market; an article in The Wall Street Journal suggested that investors "re-think" the "quaint idea" of profits, and CNBC reported on the stock market with the same level of suspense as many networks provided to the broadcasting of sports events . </P> <P> At the height of the boom, it was possible for a promising dot - com company to become a public company via an IPO and raise a substantial amount of money even if it had never made a profit--or, in some cases, realized any material revenue . People who received employee stock options became instant paper millionaires when their companies executed IPOs; however, most employees were barred from selling shares immediately due to lock - up periods . The most successful entrepreneurs, such as Mark Cuban, sold their shares or entered into hedges to protect their gains . </P> <P> Most dot - com companies incurred net operating losses as they spent heavily on advertising and promotions to harness network effects to build market share or mind share as fast as possible, using the mottos "get big fast" and "get large or get lost". These companies offered their services or products for free or at a discount with the expectation that they could build enough brand awareness to charge profitable rates for their services in the future . In January 2000, there were 16 dot - com commercials during Super Bowl XXXIV, each costing $2 million for a 30 - second spot . </P> <P> The "growth over profits" mentality and the aura of "new economy" invincibility led some companies to engage in lavish spending on elaborate business facilities and luxury vacations for employees . Upon the launch of a new product or website, a company would organize an expensive event called a dot com party . </P>

When was the tech bubble and when did it burst