America Online Computer Network

America Online, concerned about Internet "scams," has begun to identify genuine e-mail from the Internet service provider with added graphics or color, to help its 23 million users easily identify e-mail that is truly being sent by AOL. The Internet services giant began the feature, designed to help its subscribers avoid "being spoofed or caught in fraudulent activity," last week.

America Online, concerned about Internet "scams," has begun to identify genuine e-mail from the Internet service provider with added graphics or color, to help its 23 million users easily identify e-mail that is truly being sent by AOL. The Internet services giant began the feature, designed to help its subscribers avoid "being spoofed or caught in fraudulent activity," last week.

While many high-level members of the music industry bicker over what can or cannot be done to stem drug abuse, some of their lower-level employees have banded together to simply do something. Stimulated by an idea proposed on the Velvet Rope--the private music business "chat group" on the America Online computer network--a committee of industry staffers has drawn up a proposal for an album featuring new versions of some of rock's notable anti-drug songs.

Despite Simi Valley's promises to squash his plans, real estate manager Phil Young vowed Wednesday to fight for the right to open a nude dance club when the Planning Commission reviews it in March. Young has even taken his battle to the Internet, by e-mailing pleas for support to 100 Simi Valley residents--about one-third of whom messaged him back, he said. "The majority came in favoring it," said Young, who counted 20 responses in favor of his right to open the Mirages Cabaret strip club.

Amid mounting public concern over smut in cyberspace, the Senate on Wednesday approved a measure that would curb transmission of indecent material over the Internet and restrict children's access to on-line computer services.

Think of Walt Disney Co. and theme parks, and Mickey Mouse and box office hits come to mind. But the Burbank-based entertainment powerhouse is also a budding magazine publisher, and though the odds against new publications are long, Disney is using its marketing savvy and financial muscle to expand its 4-year-old magazine group. In two start-up publications, Disney has tapped themes it knows how to exploit perhaps better than anyone: children and families.

More than a few of you probably got computers for Christmas. So Reel Life decided to explore Cyberia for a special report. First stop on the 805 Cyberia tour is Sound Source Interactive in Thousand Oaks, where CEO Vincent Bitetti has successfully made the transition from operating a flame thrower to putting "Lassie" on CD-ROM. Bitetti, a recovering rocker from the early '80s, gave up stage pyrotechnics after he started a family and devoted himself to software publishing.

Think of the Walt Disney Co. and theme parks, Mickey Mouse and big box-office movies come to mind. But the Burbank-based entertainment giant is also a budding magazine publisher, and despite the long odds against new publications, Disney is using its marketing savvy and financial muscle to keep growing its 4-year-old magazine group. With two start-up publications, Disney has turned to themes that it knows how to exploit perhaps better than anyone: kids and families.