The Internet industry boosted its revenues 62% to $524 billion and created 650,000 new jobs, according to a new study from the University of Texas that was commissioned by Cisco Systems. The study included pure online companies as well as brick-and-mortar companies with an online presence. The study also predicts the industry could produce another 62% growth spurt this year, with revenues of $850 billion. (USA Today, 6 June 00)

New wireless multichannel multipoint distribution service (MMDS) and local multipoint distribution service (LMDS) are emerging as viable options for high-speed network access, offering services traditionally available only with the installation of fiber cables. Allied Business Intelligence predicts that by 2005, MMDS will provide services for 70% of the residential and small office market, while LMDS will become a major player for delivering broadband to businesses. MMDS can cover a 35-mile radius. MCI Worldcom and Sprint are testing MMDS in cities across the nation, with hopes of reaching a combined 60 million U.S. homes. LMDS is focusing on corporate customers. (Commverge, June 00)

Scientists are at the stage of programming DNA to perform computations in cells. Boston U researchers have created a biological toggle switch using genes to turn the switch to on and off positions, corresponding to the computer's ones and zeroes. The biological switch, built with a circular section of DNA, holds two genes that suppress each other - one is on while the other is off, switched on and off with chemicals or temperature change. While slow compared to traditional computers, the switching proves that cells can be programmed in ways that could be useful and could ultimately lead to containers of bacteria that serve as computers and cells that are injected into the body to help patients. (New York Times, 1 June 00)

Books may soon follow music onto the Web, and will most likely encounter the same online distribution problems that record executives face. Microsoft is now promoting its Reader software by offering free downloads of Michael Crichton's "Timeline," along with some Star Trek novels. Time Warner plans to develop a unit called iPublish that will publish new authors and allow readers to communicate with one another. Programs will eventually emerge that let users download books without paying authors or publishers, creating the same dilemma in the book world that Napster has caused in the music industry. (Newsweek, 5 June 00)