DOT COM AND GET IT

WHERE'S THE PORN?
Oops… They searched for Britney again. Pop tart Spears is the most popular topic search, according to Lycos. Users also looked for info on anime "Dragon Ball Z," the Firestone tire recall, "Pokemon" and CBS' "Big Brother." The Top 50 results can be seen at http://50.lycos.com. Meanwhile, Media Metrix reports AOL, Microsoft, Yahoo, Lycos and Excite were the most-popular Web and digital media properties visited in June. For the first time, Napster cracked the top 50 at 47. Much like a fat person tipping a hospital scale, Media Metrix's equipment could not accurately keep up with the numerous visits to hitsdailydouble.com.

JUKEBOX HEROES:
Broadband entertainment manager Ecast has teamed with Rowe International, the nation's largest jukebox manufacturer, to produce digital jukeboxes. The jukeboxes are designed to increase revenue and decrease operator costs, by remote management, which allows operators to download music from their own PCs. Each box can store up to 400 complete albums, and can accept cash, credit cards and electronic payments. The jukeboxes will be unveiled during a trade show in September, when a bunch of drunken tech types will play Garth Brooks' "Friends In Low Places" until their heads explode.

INDIE ROCK GEEKS BE WARNED:
TVT Records and Emusic.com have struck a "click & brick" distribution alliance. The indie label and music Web site will release albums simultaneously in retail stores and online. The first band targeted for the campaign are hick-rockers Southern Culture on the Skids, whose "Liquored Up & Lacquered Down" is set for a fall release. Fans can get the MP3 single, "Corn Liquor," now on the Emusic site. Actual corn liquor is not included.

DOWNLOADING CHAOS:
Chaos Music has enlisted Microsoft Australia in its plan to commercialize music-file swapping. ChaosMusic pledged 15% of advertising revenue from its FreeTracks audio search engine to be returned to artists. Microsoft will help fund the administrative costs of setting up collection agency. Aussie rival sanity.com.au, which allows downloads of unsigned artists, and Net radio site bigfatradio.com are also considering participating in the refund program. Refunds will not be available on Paul Hogan's MP3 rendition of "Feelings."