Wal-Mart Tries To Patent The Smiley

Many prognosticators have foreseen a great war--a battle for world domination. These soothsayers have named Wal-Mart, Google, and Starbucks as the most powerful of the behemoths that will be involved. And in a move that is not likely to ensure victory, or even confer an advantage, Wal-Mart is staking out a powerful claim by attempting to patent the humble smiley.

Web Social Networks’ Popularity Still Rising

Social networking sites are bigger than ever, according to new data from Nielsen//NetRatings. The ten largest sites, taken together, grew 47 percent in the past year, and they now reach 45 percent of active Internet users.

“Wii” May Be A Great Console, And A Nuisance

"Wheeee! I got a Wii!" Within the next six months or so, small children throughout America will be rejoicing in this fashion. And with endless snickering and repetition, at that. The Wii is Nintendo's next-generation gaming console, and up until the E3 expo, details about it were few and far between.

Online Purchasing Simplified By Swaptree

A new online bartering service is hoping to simplify the way people get (and get rid of) used goods. Swaptree intends to let consumers directly trade books, CDs, DVDs, and videogames, with up to four users able to participate in a single transaction.