RealNetworks launched a digital download deal today that looks like a bid to undercut Apple's offerings via its iTunes Music Store. Real is offering music fans the chance to download tracks for just 49 cents apiece in a limited time offer-that's half the price of Apple's downloads. Complete albums can be purchased for $4.99. That's a pretty good deal, as music download services go.

First came the news that Craigslist will charge for placing job postings on its site in selected markets. Now, there is a slightly more interesting development. Online auction giant eBay said it's acquired 25 percent of Craigslist, the popular online venue where you can find everything from job and apartment listings, to the best places for sushi in Charlotte.

Google's long-awaited online share auction began this morning. The auction precedes the search giant's shares being traded on the Nasdaq stock exchange; trading is expected to begin next week.

America Online said yesterday that it will sell low cost PCs at Office Depot, and most likely, through other mass-market retailers, in a bid to lure consumers who don't currently have Internet access to its dial-up Internet service. Targeting minorities and low-income consumers, AOL said consumers who purchase the "AOL Optimized PC" must agree to sign up for a year of service.

The headline on the release appeared to indicate one thing, while the "news," or lack thereof, left a palpable question mark (again). Well, at least for this reader who has attempted to track the machinations, purpose, and activities of Time Warner's Global Marketing Solutions, which for the past four years has been known as the "Global Marketing Group."

So just when you thought the Google IPO was a slam dunk for this week, word came Monday that the search giant agreed to grant rival Yahoo! 2.7 million shares in order to settle a patent dispute and an issue regarding warrants on share purchases.

Jupiter's new search forecast came out today; it projects slowing growth for paid search listings over the next five years.

TiVo scored on Wednesday when the Federal Communications Commission said subscribers to its service ought to be able to send TV shows over the Web to their PCs.

For days that turned into weeks and then months, Wall Street, the media, and tech pundits have drooled over Google's impending IPO. Google is hoping to raise about $3 billion through the IPO which could happen next Wednesday, at least that's what I'm reading.

Last night the folks from Microsoft held the second annual Emmessenny Awards at Crobar in New York City. The club, whose red velvet robes normally serve to keep people out, were ushering online creative and media teams in to honor break-out interactive campaigns that have run on MSN.