Business

Sooner or later, Big Sports must come to grips with the Internet. As the industry lines up its lawyers in a goal-line stand to prevent its scrappy little competitors from making it into the lucrative online end zone, it is painfully clear that no one understands what the Internet can do for sports.

The use of Napster by young people may make headlines, but Americans 50 years of age and older are apparently the real aficionados of music on the Web.

Controversial Internet advertising firm DoubleClick, Inc. (Nasdaq: DCLK) announced Monday that it will acquire online market research firm @Plan (Nasdaq: APLN) in a deal worth approximately $120 million (US$).

It's not news that profits are the latest craze in the world of e-commerce and high-tech in general. Chances are you're sick of hearing the word given the number of times it's been uttered since the Nasdaq tried to buck loose all the profitless cling-ons earlier this year.

In a move aimed at making wireless Web devices that combine the assets of a cell phone, personal organizer and Internet device in one, Palm, Inc. (Nasdaq: PALM) and Motorola (NYSE: MOT) announced a development alliance on Monday.

NBC Internet, Inc. (Nasdaq: NBCI) unveiled a new Internet portal Monday that consolidates the company's consumer Internet properties under a single name, showcasing their affiliation with NBC's television networks.

The U.S. government launched its FirstGov Web site Friday, providing a single point of entry to its more than 20,000 Web sites.

Not so long ago, the dot-com startup myth held that a young entrepreneur with great ideas, access to the Internet and not much else could step into a world of venture capital. A company would make or sell or provide something, and then hold a much-publicized IPO or, better yet, be acquired by a larg...

Moreover, if traditional retailers are in fact looking before they leap online, then the Net startup community had better become accustomed to it.

In an effort to halt the sale of firearms over the Internet, President Bill Clinton announced on Saturday the launch of the "eZ Check'' firearm license verification system on the U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms (ATF) Web site.

A warning by Intel Corp. (Nasdaq: INTC) on Thursday that its third quarter sales will be substantially lower than previously expected sent reverberations through the high-tech world, causing stock prices to tumble worldwide and strengthening fears the once-robust global personal computer industry is...

Concern over health complications due to radiation emissions from cell phone handsets has also dampened enthusiasm for expanding their use. Last June, the World Health Organization called for further testing to assess the potential risk.

Online grocer Webvan (Nasdaq: WBVN) announced Friday it will delay its scheduled expansion and a planned distribution center move in order to concentrate on obtaining profitability and integrating its systems with those of acquired rival HomeGrocer.com.

Michael Dell, founder and chief executive officer of Dell Computer Corp. (Nasdaq: DELL), told an audience at his company's DirectConnect customer event in Texas on Thursday that businesses have failed to maximize productivity and profits from the Internet.

A report released Thursday by Jupiter Research predicts that by 2005, more than 40 million U.S. households will pay at least part of their bills using online bill paying services.