Neowin.net

Web portal MSN is testing a new search service that touts faster, tidier results, in what is the latest development in a fast-moving contest to help people find what they're looking for online. The Microsoft-owned division launched a test site for MSN Search on Tuesday that omits banner advertisements and a large navigation column for the MSN network, freeing up more room on the page to display query results. The new site also says that it can display results 65 percent faster than before.

"At the end of the day we have to focus on what users want, and that's getting results quickly," said Parul Shah, product manager for MSN. She added that the company makes regular changes to the search service.

The changes come only days before chief rival Yahoo is expected to outline plans for an updated search service at its annual conference with financial analysts. Part of the announcement may cover Yahoo's designs for its proposed acquisition of Inktomi, whose technology powers Web search for third-parties, including MSN.

All of the major Internet publishers have turned their gaze on Web search because of its money-making power. In partnership with pay-for-performance ad companies such as Overture Services, LookSmart and Google, major Web portals make money when people click on sponsored listings within search results, a model that has shown to be lucrative for all parties involved. Commercial search emerged as the bright spot in online advertising in 2002, nearly doubling in total sales from the previous year, according to estimates from financial analysts.

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News source: c|net

Capcom vs. SNK 2: EO boasts the following features:

Online gameplay – Take advantage of all the features Xbox Live has to offer, including:

• Quick Match Making – Allows players to get right into the action and battle it out with the first available gamer.
  
• Play against others with the same skill level – A novice or seasoned brawler can seek challengers of similar aptitude.
  
• Xbox Live Communicator Compatible – Deliver taunts and trash talking to any opponent crisply and cleanly as if they were on the other side of the couch.
  
• Player Rankings – The real competition begins as players around the world duke it out to become number one.

Multiple Game Modes – The game offers six modes of play including arcade mode, versus mode, survival mode, training mode and color edit mode.
More than 40 characters from world famous Capcom and SNK franchises, such as Street Fighter, Final Fight, Darkstalkers, Fatal Fury, Samurai Shodown and King of Fighters.

Capcom vs. SNK 2: EO allows players to choose between one of the six following fighting grooves:

• C Groove - Players can use level 1-3 Super Combos, 'Air Block' and Counter attack to defeat their opponent. This groove is similar to the Capcom groove found in the original.
  
• A Groove – This is the original combo style used in the Street Fighter Zero series. Players can freely mix and match moves to create their own “Custom Combos.”
  
• P Groove - Players can use the ‘Parry’ feature to avoid any attack. A level 3 super combo can only be used in this groove.
  
• S Groove - This groove is similar to the SNK groove found in the original. In this groove, when a character's vitality is low, the player can unleash a super combo limitlessly. If the gauge reaches its limit when the vitality is almost gone, players can perform a “Max Super Attack.”
  
• N Groove – From King of Fighters ’98, players can stock up to 3 levels of super gauge. In this groove, players can perform a ‘Power Max’ by using a level gauge to enhance the character’s attack power for a while.
  
• K Groove – Thegroove uses a combination of ‘Just Defense’ which makes the opponent’s attacks ineffective, and a ‘Rage Gauge’. Once this gauge is full, the player’s attack power increases and they are able to use a ‘Max Super Attack.’

Groove Point System – Points are accumulated through a judgement performance in real-time that is based on the player’s game performance.