Stop the presses. The number of US homes connected to the Internet fell last quarter for the first time ever. Telecommunications Report International, which authored the report, attributes the drop to the decline of free online service.

The Homepage Worm is a Visual Basic script that spreads via email with the subject line "Homepage," forwards itself to everyone in the recipient's address book, and then opens one of four pornographic Web sites.

Terra Lycos is looking to buy US Internet properties. Rumors point to EarthLink and Juno.

MSN will reimburse Wake County, North Carolina customers who were given a long distance number to call during an MSN upgrade glitch.

Lower Internet usage could spell trouble for bandwidth and infrastructure companies.

The SEC is investigating EarthLink co-founder Reed Slatkin for failing to return investors' money.

3COM will lay off 30 percent of its workforce.

Intel is moving workers out of its web-hosting division.

High Speed Access Corp. will provide broadband Internet access over AOL Time Warner's cable lines.

A new survey finds that consumer interest in commerce over mobile phones has plummeted by a third since last summer. Amazon has already scaled back its m-commerce plans.

A solitary inventor has pioneered a new wireless medium: ultra wideband signalling. It could save billions by avoiding FCC licensing fees.

Two jokes

[I'm from Tennessee, but I have friends from LA (Lower Alabama). - Les]

Joke the first

Two boys were playing football together in a Huntsville park, when a Rottweiller suddenly appears and attacks one of the boys. Thinking quickly, the other boy rips off a board from a nearby fence, wedges it down the dog's collar and with a twist, breaks the dog's neck.

A reporter from the Huntsville Times, who is strolling by and witnesses the incident, rushes to interview the boy. "Young Bama Fan Saves Friend From Vicious Animal", he starts writing in his notebook.

"But I'm not a Bama fan", the little hero replied.

"Sorry", says the reporter. "Since we are here in North Alabama, I just assumed you were." The reporter starts again. "Little Auburn Fan Rescues Friend From Horrific Attack" he continued, writing in his notebook.

"I'm not an Auburn fan either", the boy said.

"I assumed everyone in the area was either for Bama or Auburn. What team do you root for", asked the reporter.

"I'm a Tennessee fan" the child said.

The reporter starts a new sheet in his notebook and writes, "Little Hillbilly Bastard Kills Beloved Family Pet."

Joke the second

Q: How are a tornado and an Alabama divorce alike?

A: Either way, someone's going to lose a mobile home.

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