Taking a close look at all technical options is the right thing for them (AOL and MSN) to be doing.

From the consumer point of view, there may be questions about whether you'll have to be an AOL subscriber to get Time magazine. That combination of media with the access is one through which you may be able to block access to your competitors' subscribers.

Despite the struggles of its ISP arm, AOL.com is well positioned because of the number of users of AIM (AOL's Instant Messaging) and the strength of its new online mail offering.

[Others say the deal could also raise flags over the combined AOL Time Warner's ability to limit access to Internet content.] From the consumer point of view, there may be questions about whether you'll have to be an AOL subscriber to get Time magazine, ... That combination of media with the access is one through which you may be able to block access to your competitors' subscribers.

Google is taking a lot of hits to its image as a benevolent spreader of new and better technology. In some ways, its success has made people scrutinize what it does much more closely.

Microsoft is moving out of selling boxes into selling real, true services.