As Internet giants step into the crowded online music arena, some are banking on a new weapon to help attack market leader Apple Computer: instant messaging.

Frustrated by the slow speed of broadband rollouts in their towns, local governments across the USA are building their own networks. Their common goal: to secure a bright future by building a business-quality network now.

As part of its much-touted new MSN Music offering, Microsoft Corp. is testing a Web-based radio service that mimics nearly 1,000 local radio stations, allowing users to hear a version of their favorite radio station with far fewer interruptions.

Voting activist Bev Harris and a computer scientist say they found more vulnerabilities in an electronic voting system made by Diebold Election Systems, weaknesses that could allow someone to alter votes in the election this November.

Ask Jeeves is expected to unveil personalization features, local search capabilities on Tuesday, plus an upgrade to its Teoma search technology and a new, thinner butler mascot.

Internet bloggers have drawn blood and American journalism may never be the same. To hear some press experts tell it, CBS's admission on Monday that it was duped into using questionable documents about President Bush's National Guard service during the Vietnam War was a watershed moment brought on by a small army of Internet-based commentators known as bloggers.

America Online will begin offering to sell members a security device and service that has been used to safeguard business computer networks, the world's largest Internet service provider said on Tuesday.

America Online is partnering with Entertainment Weekly for an original Internet skein about the week in television.

Google, $1.67 billion richer from its August initial public offering, is spending its money poaching the brightest minds from arch-rival Microsoft and other tech giants.

America Online announced the launch of an online shopping site it says will provide an easy and fast way to compare products from thousands of online merchants.