Internet World Wide Web

People have been taming animals for 10,000 years. Since prehistoric times, people have kept cattle for meat, milk and leather, and sheep for wool. Horses and camels have learned to carry people and cargo, and dogs have been trained to hunt and stand watch. But the vast majority of the world's animal species are wild, even today. Want to learn more about all kinds of animals? Use the direct links on The Times Launch Point Web site. http://www.latimes.

No single person is responsible for creating the Internet, whose tentacles now embrace an estimated 200 million worldwide. Likewise, there is no consensus about a single event that marked its birth. Instead, the Internet owes its existence to dozens of engineers who spent years pushing the boundaries of computer science until it revolutionized personal and business communications by removing some of the traditional barriers of time and space.

No single person is responsible for creating the Internet, whose tentacles now embrace an estimated 200 million worldwide. Likewise, there is no consensus about a single event that marked its birth. Instead, the Internet owes its existence to dozens of engineers who spent years pushing the boundaries of computer science until it revolutionized personal and business communications by removing some of the traditional barriers of time and space.

People have been taming animals for 10,000 years. Since prehistoric times, people have kept cattle for meat, milk and leather, and sheep for wool. Horses and camels have learned to carry people and cargo, and dogs have been trained to hunt and stand watch. But the vast majority of the world's animal species are wild, even today. Want to learn more about all kinds of animals? Use the direct links on The Times Launch Point Web site. http://www.latimes.

Franklin Telecom, a Westlake Village producer of communications devices and software, has raised $1 million through a private stock placement. The company says it may receive as much as $2.5 million more if certain stock warrants are exercised early next year. The placement generated cash needed to promote new products for connecting customers to the Internet's World Wide Web, according to Frank Peters, Franklin's president.

General Electric Co.'s NBC network, Microsoft Corp. and the National Football League today will announce an Internet World Wide Web site tied to the Super Bowl game, the companies said. NBC and the NFL also will announce a special TV program, an NBC spokesman said. NBC will broadcast the Super Bowl in 1996. Microsoft will run the Web site dedicated to the championship.

Premiere Radio, Motorola Invest in AudioNet: Los Angeles-based Premiere Radio agreed to invest $4 million to help Dallas-based AudioNet sign up more radio stations and gather their programs to play for listeners on the global computer network. Motorola said its New Enterprises unit invested an undisclosed amount as part of its plan to support emerging industries that may lead to new business for Schaumburg, Ill.-based Motorola.

The 1996 "Guide to California B&B Inns," published by the California Assn. of B&B Inns, is now available in print or on the Internet's World Wide Web. The 106-page guide is available free at member B&Bs or via mail for $3 to cover postage. Each listing includes rates and a thumbnail description, provided by the B&B. The association is a statewide, nonprofit organization. To obtain a printed copy, send $3 to the association, 2715 Porter St., Soquel, CA 95073.

Some of the year's most dramatic moments for soap fans will occur when "The 12th Annual Soap Opera Awards" are presented Wednesday (9 p.m. on NBC). Daytime drama fans who subscribe to America Online can "virtually" meet the winners and presenters via a Soap Opera Digest editor, who will be online taking questions backstage starting at 5 p.m. Since there is a tape delay of the awards, online fans will know the winners three hours before the Los Angeles broadcast.

Internet: Microsoft Corp. and the parent company of Black Entertainment Television said Thursday that they have formed a joint-venture company aimed at attracting African Americans to the growing Internet market. Microsoft and BET Holdings Inc. each will contribute an undisclosed amount of cash, personnel and technology to the new company, which will be operated out of BET's studios in Washington, D.C.

Microsoft Hires Kinsley for On-Line Magazine: Michael Kinsley, former editor of the New Republic and co-host of CNN's "Crossfire," has been hired by Microsoft Corp. to launch the electronic magazine of commentary on politics, news and culture. The magazine will be distributed over the Internet's World Wide Web and on Microsoft Network, an on-line service the software maker began in August, the New York Times and the Washington Post reported.