Once upon a time, there was a company called Urchin that made web analytics software. As tends to happen, that company was acquired by Google (in early 2005), the software became Google Analytics, and the price became free.

Google Analytics grew in popularity, and many people forgot that the original Urchin product was still around (and those who did remember thought Urchin might never be updated again).

The primary differences between Urchin and Google Analytics seem to be that Urchin runs on a web server (and thus provides web log processing) and is more highly customizable, while Analytics is web-based (and easier to configure, but not as robust), and Urchin is $2995, whereas Analytics is free.

Now Google has announced a new beta release of Urchin, for those who require server-based analytics.

During the 90-day beta period, this latest version of Urchin is available for free to try. This beta was announced in October but is just being made available now.

This new version adds some of the features available already in Google Analytics (such as a new interface and and new cross-segmentation options).

Urchin Software from Google is a web analytics product similar in scope to Google Analytics, except you install and manage the software on your own servers.

Urchin 5 remains the current supported production release until Urchin Software from Google comes out of beta. This beta software should only be used for evaluation purposes, and is not recommended for production environments.

Use of Urchin Software?

Urchin is suitable for organizations that have content behind a security firewall or have other restrictions that prevent them from using the Google Analytics service. Urchin is also useful for those who want to perform ad-hoc historical log processing, who want to store their web analytics on local servers, and those requiring third-party data audits. Urchin Software from Google features the following upgrades from Urchin 5, among many others:

• More accurate geo-identification of visitors
• Cross-segmentation options similar to Google Analytics
• E-commerce and campaign tracking included (no longer requiring additional modules)
• Vastly improved embedded scheduler to more easily manage processing and re-processing jobs
• Improved user interface
• More robust log processing engine

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SEATTLE, Feb 4 (Reuters) - Microsoft Corp said on Monday it may borrow money for the first time in its history to fund a portion of its $44.6 billion unsolicited offer for Yahoo Inc.

Microsoft also said it expects Yahoo’s board to agree to the deal quickly, but Yahoo said over the weekend that it expects to take “quite a bit of time” to weigh all of its strategic options including remaining independent.

A source familiar with Yahoo’s strategy said it is considering a business alliance with Google Inc to fend off Microsoft’s offer.

Microsoft Chief Financial Officer Chris Liddell said the software company may take on some debt to finance the cash portion of its 50-50 stock and cash offer for Yahoo, instead of drawing down its entire $21 billion cash pile.

“It’s likely we’re actually going to borrow for the first time,” said Liddell in an annual strategy meeting with analysts. “It’s going to be a mixture of the cash we have on hand plus debt.”

Liddell declined to say whether Microsoft was already buying Yahoo stock on the open market. He also did not give any information on what form of debt Microsoft will seek in the capital markets.

Microsoft made public on Friday its offer to pay Yahoo shareholders either $31 in cash or 0.9509 of a share of Microsoft common stock. The deal aims to create a formidable number two to challenge Google Inc’s dominance in Web search and digital advertising.

Analysts applauded Microsoft’s decision to take on debt.

Source : Guardian.co.uk

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NEW YORK - Shares of Google Inc. on Monday fell below $500 for the first time since in August, days after a lackluster fourth-quarter earnings report and a $42 billion buyout offer from Microsoft Corp. for Google’s largest rival, Yahoo Inc.

In afternoon trading, Google (nasdaq: GOOG - news - people ) shares fell $19.11, or 3.7 percent, to $496.79. They have ranged from $437 to $747.24 over the past year.

Shares of Mountain View, Calif.-based Google have fallen 12 percent since Microsoft (nasdaq: MSFT - news - people )’s $42 billion bid for Yahoo (nasdaq: YHOO - news - people ) was announced Friday. Google reported its quarterly earnings after the market closed Thursday.

Stephen Houck, a former antitrust enforcer in New York state, predicted that Google could have a hard time raising antitrust concerns over the deal.

Additionally, on Sunday Goldman Sachs (nyse: GS - news - people ) analyst James Covello removed Google from the “Goldman Sachs Technology Favorite Growth” list, citing a recent sell-off in the shares. He noted the stock has fallen 14.1 percent since it was added to the list on Jan. 18, exceeding a stop-loss threshold.

In a note to clients, Covello attributed the sell-off to concerns about Google’s exposure to an economic downturn, particularly in light of the company’s fourth-quarter results, which missed Covello’s estimates and the Wall Street consensus.

However, the analyst maintained a “Buy” rating, and called the stock’s valuation compelling.

Source : Forbes.com

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