Still, Schmidt prefers beating the drum for Novell's "digitalme"-software that gives Net surfers control over their identities.

FORBES: CEOs for the next century

This practice, along with so-called "all-you-can-eat" Net access plans, allows surfers to stay online without worrying about running up huge bills.

CNN: With a Little Help From a Foe

On August 28th, Somalia became the latest African country to offer local access to the Internet, and for the first time surfers can use the net in Swahili.

ECONOMIST: Tapping into Africa

Older surfers are the most rapidly growing segment of net users, with their numbers swelling by more than 40% in the past year.

BBC: Janet Thorpe

Shark Net was designed to serve marine biologists, but you can bet surfers on the California coast are using it as well.

FORBES: Why Sensors Are a Force of Context

But an optimist would point out that as the number of surfers doubled during the past three years, growth in Net use among less-affluent demographic segments has kept up with that of the upper crust.

CNN: Web surfers aren't just young techie males anymore