Microsoft Launches Web Log Service

Microsoft Corp. is getting into blogging. The Redmond, Wash., software giant released a free service called MSN Spaces that lets users post photographs and stories, as well as link to favorite songs on Microsoft’s online music service.

The service will be supported by advertising. Microsoft executives said they hoped advertisers would pay to promote films or other products by creating themed backgrounds for the bloggers’ Web pages.

Microsoft, which is trying to compete with services like Google Inc.’s Blogger, closely tied MSN Spaces with its instant messaging program.

* Advanced Micro Devices Inc. won its biggest slice of the microprocessor market in more than two years. The Sunnyvale, Calif.-based company had 9.9% of the $6.7-billion market in the third quarter.