online version

Failed technology trends tend to be recycled every five or so years in hopes that businesses and consumers eventually will be ready to adopt what surely is a great idea.

The idea of the "thin client" -- a processor and monitor setup that loads all files and even the operating system from a central server -- has been trumpeted as the next big thing at least three times since I replaced my baseball mitt with a keyboard and mouse.

The latest incarnation of the thin client finally is starting to gain a hold as a "netbook," an incredibly portable notebook.

A proposed partnership between Google and Yahoo for the sale and distribution of online advertisements has been a hot topic in tech circles this year, drawing scrutiny from privacy groups, European regulators and the Justice Department. Now reports are circulating that the long-delayed deal might fall apart.

In an article in the online version of the Wall Street Journal, reporter Jessica Vascellaro says that according to "people familiar with the matter," the companies might walk away from the deal as early as next week.

Microsoft announced Tuesday that it plans to finally allow the crown jewels of its applications -- the Microsoft Office suite -- to be delivered through Web browsers.

The announcement was made at the Professional Developers Conference in Los Angeles.
Chris Capossela, senior vice president of the Microsoft Business Division, said Office Web will allow users to employ lightweight versions of Word, Excel, PowerPoint and OneNote to create, edit and collaborate with Office documents through a Web browser.

Electronic Arts Inc. is turning to online games to boost its limited presence in Asia, the Asia president of the U.S. video game maker said Tuesday.

EA's main business in the West comes from packaged games software for consoles and personal computers, but online games are more popular in Asia, EA President for Asia Jon Niermann told The Associated Press in an interview.

"It's night and day," Niermann.

Niermann was attending the launch of "Need for Speed Undercover," which features a character played by actress Maggie Q.

(This is the second in a series of posts as a OneWebDay Ambassador.  Check out our first post kicking off the partnership for more on OneWebDay.)

(This is the second in a series of posts as a OneWebDay Ambassador. Check out our first post kicking off the partnership for more on OneWebDay.)

(This is the second in a series of posts as a OneWebDay Ambassador. Check out our first post kicking off the partnership for more on OneWebDay.)

The beta version of Office Live Workspace has one million users just six months after launch, Microsoft announced Wednesday as it released some minor improvements to the service.

"It takes companies years to attract a strong customer base such as this," boasted Microsoft Office product manager Kirk Gregersen. The rapid pace of adoption is a sign of a pent-up market for online access to documents, Gregersen said. Users are "looking for ways to resolve the complexities of their work, school and home projects through a range of choices," he said.