Chapel Hill-based Near-Time (www.near-time.com) is an interesting mix of Web log and wiki technology, the latter allowing multiple users to edit and otherwise collaborate on the same content. Think of Web logs as the place where ideas and Web links can be shared, while wikis offer a common workspace. Near-Time thus creates a niche where users can review documents they've written together, share files in various formats, coordinate within a calendar or post to a stable company site.

All this occurs, of course, within the browser, another example of how we're moving away from excessive dependence on operating systems and embracing a Net-based model that doesn't care whether you use a Mac or a Windows PC. Creating a personal space on the Near-Time servers is fast and intuitive; you can then add members to your area at will. Moreover, you can create as many spaces as you choose, and since they're running on Near-Time's machines, you use up no hard disk space on your own computers. Free services are available, as are expanded commercial options with a minimum $4.95 monthly fee.

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The demand for Web pages is ever growing, as witness Google's Page Creator offering (pages.google.com). An early test version of the service, which provides free hosting and easy creation of Web pages without requiring knowledge of HTML or any programming languages, was swamped when it ventured online in February. But once Google works out the kinks, users of the company's Gmail (a subscription to which is required to use Page Creator) will be able to work with a 100 MB storage limit for Web pages and uploaded files, and all free.

The editing mode here is fast, with multiple themes and other appearance tweaks that let you custom-design a page in minutes. What Google must now do is bring up an expanded feature list, for competing services already offer richer online editing options. It's clear that Page Creator fits into Google's plans to create more and more user content; its Blogger site (www.blogger.com) already does that for those wanting to publish free weblogs. How and when advertising fits into this picture should quickly become apparent.

Brewster Kahle, now head of the Open Library Project, once told me that everyone is at heart a publisher; everyone has something to say. The demand for Page Creator tells me he was right.

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What exactly is Microsoft up to with its strange origamiproject.com site?

Visitors are treated to an animation filled with spacey comments like "Do you know what I can do?" "Or where I can go?" and a moody, celestial soundtrack. The site, which is registered to Microsoft, promises to tell us more as March progresses, but it seems the company is going to announce a wireless device running Microsoft XP but made by other companies, a crossover between a hand-held and notebook in size.

Why they would want to do this now will be the subject of a future column.

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Intrigued as I am with the new generation of mapping services, and with the whole idea of getting geographical information out over wireless devices, I'm keeping a close eye on Earthcomber (www.earthcomber.com). Choose free maps of your choice within the United States. Then, equipped with a smartphone or a PDA, you can travel with a "smart assistant" that lets you know when something you're looking for is nearby. Earthcomber lets you choose from categories of favorite sites and businesses depending on what kind of travel you're doing.

As you proceed, the service uses GPS technology to tell you when a coffee shop, a hotel, a library or a state park is nearby, with listings of each business' offerings and driving directions to get you from here to there. Or create your own private tours by telling Earthcomber when you've found a place you like; your preferred destination can then be uploaded, found again, and shared with others. The mostly free service thus combines computer tagging with group interaction and discussion areas, and it also offers commercial spot guides for major cities provided by various publishers.

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