A report in the U.K. magazine the Economist suggests that online social networking sites in the United States will soon be more popular than porn sites.

The online porn industry is difficult to define but was valued at $1 billion in 2002, according to a study prepared by America’s National Research Council.

The trends, as measured by marketing firm Hitwise, show that adult sites in the United States are accounting for far fewer Web visits than in the past. This year, if the trends continue, porn may fall into second place in total Web visits in the United States.

At the same time, net communities and social network sites, such as Facebook or MySpace, have gained significant support, the Hitwise study determined.

In 2006 about 13 percent of all Web visits in America were pornographic in nature, according to Hitwise. That number is already down to below 12 percent. Social network Web sites have risen from 8 percent last year to more than 10 percent as of March 2007, the Hitwise study found.

Study finds cell phone 911 calls don’t ensure being found

A new report by a public safety group throws into question the ability of police and firefighters to locate people through their cell phones when they dial 911 in an emergency.

The study is believed to be the first independent evaluation of wireless location technology and sends a clear message: Do not assume rescuers will know where you are if you call 911 from a cell phone.

The report was commissioned by the Association of Public Safety Communications Officials International (APCO), a group that has long been concerned about the limitations of the technology and the public’s unrealistic expectations of what it can deliver.

The Associated Press was given an advance copy of the study, which will be released in May.

Imagekind seals deal with Flickr

Seattle-based Imagekind, which has developed an online marketplace for selling artwork along with framing services, has arranged a deal to sell products for users of the popular photo-sharing site Flickr.

As part of the deal, Flickr members will be able to order framed prints of their photographs on a variety of papers through Imagekind. They also will be able to offer the framed prints for sale, making it easy for members to earn a commission on their artwork.