Yahoo! Unveils Plans To Extend Its Reach

Yahoo! Inc., continuing to expand beyond its popular Internet directory, on Wednesday announced deals to put some of its other services directly on millions of personal computers.

Compaq Computer Corp. and Gateway 2000 Inc. are giving users access to Yahoo! news and weather as well as its directory through a customized version of Microsoft Corp.’s new Internet Explorer Web browser.

Yahoo! said Tuesday that it will acquire privately held Four11 Corp., an online communications and directory company, and will use its RocketMail technology for a free, Web-based electronic mail service starting Wednesday.

Founded in 1994, Yahoo! is best known for its Internet directory, which is the most popular means for finding information on line.