Forrester Research reported today that U.S. online retail sales will more than double over the next six years, reaching $316 billion by 2010. The research firm projects e-commerce growth to account for 12 percent of total retail sales in 2010, up from nearly 7 percent this year.

Surprise, surprise. Google's stock hit a high of $104.06 on its first day of trading. The stock closed yesterday at $100.34 per share. Not bad, considering the offering price was set at $85, but not so staggering either.

So, it's official. Google is now a publicly traded company on the Nasdaq.

Today, Nielsen//NetRatings reports that U.S. broadband penetration nudged past the 50 percent mark. The Internet audience measurement service reports that at-home broadband access hit 51 percent in July versus 38 percent last July. That's a pretty staggering percentage increase.

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.