Google One-Ups Microsoft

Microsoft (MSFT Quote) debuted a provisional version of its new search engine Thursday, prompting rival Google (GOOG Quote) to announce improvements of its own.

MSN Search, available at beta.search.msn.com, represents Microsoft's latest volley in its attempt to challenge the dominance of Google and Yahoo! (YHOO Quote) in the search business.

Like being a portal to the Internet a few years ago, having attractive search technology -- and being able to maximize revenue from search -- is increasingly seen as a key element of growth and success for major Internet publishers. That has made the search function a battleground on which different companies fight for control of the computer desktop. ...