Facebook wants to play an escapist as users protest to another change

April 23rd, 2009 Facebook users' vote ending way short of thresholdNEW YORK — Facebook invited the 200 million people who regularly use the site to vote on its governing documents. But it's unclear how much of a difference it will make.

June 10th, 2009 Facebook, like MySpace, lets users show full nameNEW YORK — Facebook is further embracing the real name culture it touts as one of its founding principles — and catching up with rival MySpace in the process. Starting at 12:01 a.m.

July 29th, 2009 Flower shop launches first Facebook storeNEW YORK — In a first, but likely not last for Facebook, a retailer is setting up shop inside the popular social-networking site. Flower and gift retailer 1-800-Flowers.com plans to announce Wednesday it has opened a retail store to let people shop for its products directly through Facebook.

August 10th, 2009 Facebook buys social media aggregator FriendFeedSAN FRANCISCO —Facebook is buying a Web service called FriendFeed that gives users a view of what their friends are doing on all sorts of social media sites, including Facebook's rivals. In an interview, FriendFeed co-founder Bret Taylor said the two services will eventually merge, though FriendFeed will operate separately for now.

July 13th, 2009 Offer puts value of at least $6.5B on FacebookNEW YORK — How much is Facebook worth? A Russian investment firm appears to put it at $6.5 billion to $10 billion. The investment group, Digital Sky Technologies, said Monday it will buy up to $100 million worth of Facebook shares from current and former employees.

June 23rd, 2009 Gates approves creation of new cyber command WASHINGTON — Defense Secretary Robert Gates has formally ordered the creation of a new military cyber command that will coordinate the Pentagon's efforts to defend its networks and conduct cyberwarfare. A memo signed by Gates on Tuesday asks that U.S.

September 10th, 2009 Facebook to let users tag friends in status postsNEW YORK — Facebook will soon let users "tag" their friends in their posts, similar to how they already can with photos. Product manager Andrew Huang said the status tags — coming over the next several weeks — are "all about engagement." He said Facebook wants to let users reference their real-world connections in their status posts.

September 3rd, 2009 Marketing company sells clients Facebook friendsSAN FRANCISCO — On Facebook, most people make friends the old-fashioned way — by sending a request to be added to someone's posse of pals. Now, an Australian marketing company hopes to save you time and energy by simply buying you a few thousand buddies.

July 16th, 2009 Microsoft plans stores 'right next door to Apple'SEATTLE — Microsoft Corp.'s chief operating officer says the software maker is planning to open retail stores "right next door to Apple" in the fall. The executive, Kevin Turner, also says Microsoft is "in the game for the long-term" and has hired a retail team.

May 29th, 2009 Mark Cuban sues SEC over insider trading documents DALLAS — Mark Cuban sued the Securities and Exchange Commission on Thursday for access to documents detailing the insider trading case against the Dallas Mavericks owner. The Dallas billionaire filed requests for records in December under the Freedom of Information Act.

June 23rd, 2009 MySpace to cut 300 intl positions, close offices LOS ANGELES — Social-networking site MySpace said Tuesday it plans to cut 300 jobs, or two-thirds of its overseas work force, in an effort to rein in costs and focus on countries where it has many users and better business opportunities. The move comes a week after the News Corp.

June 23rd, 2009 MySpace to cut 300 international positionsLOS ANGELES — Social-networking site MySpace said Tuesday that it will cut 300 international positions and close at least four offices outside the U.S. as it looks to cut costs and narrow its territory coverage.

September 21st, 2009 Facebook shuts down thorny marketing toolNEW YORK — Facebook is closing an uncomfortable chapter in its five-year history. The social network says it will shut down Beacon, a program that tracks users' activities on other Web sites.

August 12th, 2009 Microsofties' side project seeks new Office ideasSEATTLE — Have a gripe about Office? A couple of guys at Microsoft Corp. want to hear it directly.

May 11th, 2009 Microsoft moves forward in first debt offeringSEATTLE — Microsoft Corp.'s plan to raise debt for the first time in its 36-year history moved forward Monday, according to preliminary documents filed with regulators. The world's largest software maker said in a Securities and Exchange Commission filing that it plans to offer five, 10 and 30-year notes at some point this month.