Netscape Communications Corporation has announced its plans to launch a "new and improved" version of its NetCenter Web site. This one, according to a report released in the San Jose Mercury News, is designed to be a Web portal much like Excite, Yahoo!, and Lycos. Called "Project 60," Netscape's enhanced site is the result of two months of work to get the company's foot even more inside the door that leads to the lion's share of Web visitors. Excite, Yahoo!, and Lycos have received a significant percentage of traffic, and Netscape's more prominent presence is likely to heat up the competition even more.

Once an online company delves into the world of real estate, a slew of home owner services are often soon to follow. And so it is with Netscape -- according to Netscape Vice President Jennifer Bailey, the company has big plans for NetCenter, including the addition of online banking and stock brokerage (though no partners are being identified at this point); and is considering the addition of mortgages and real estate listings on its site, as well. Like Yahoo!, Excite, and Lycos, Netscape has its eyes on the prize and aims to outdo its competitors in the quest to create the most comprehensive one-stop online resource for home owners.

Netscape's efforts include plans for online stock brokerage and banking, said Jennifer Bailey, a Netscape vice-president. Bailey declined to identify the partner.

Netscape currently is forming deals with several companies in order to obtain content. In a surprising development, the company has teamed with Excite in a $70 million agreement. Under the terms of that deal, Excite will pay to receive one quarter of the traffic Netscape refers to search engines. As the old adage goes, when you can't beat 'em -- or in this case, even if you can -- join 'em.