Spiderman: Lycos Value Per User Jumps 15%

While Web site values per unique monthly user maintained the $70ish average
level for the top 10 sites, the acquisitive Lycos, which agreed to acquire
WiseWire in the directory space, shot up nearly 15% while its rivals were
running to stand still.

Our latest number crunching shows that without value premium leader Yahoo!
(NASDAQ:YHOO) in the mix, the average falls to $63 per user, putting Lycos
at just over that mark.

Meanwhile, privately-held GeoCities gains a few points in our estimated
value as its new CEO presses the commerce button, which may be easier said
than done in a site full of users used to freebies. But the button’s been
pushed nonetheless.

It’s still a bulk game as these digital swap meets clamor for heavy retina
action or at least flashing eyelids. But “looks” deceive, and as some might
say, they aren’t everything.

It’s at this juncture that the slacker that dreamed up the phrase
“information wants to be free” can be seen quietly sneaking out the back of
the room as content and people magnets try to wean a Net generation bent
on keeping coin in pocket to commerce or marketing deals that make them
part with their shekels.

Render unto Caesar what is Caesar’s or Marc Andreessen what is Marc
Andreessen’s as the new age prophets proclaim on news Netscape inks a deal
with Excite whereby the search and guide will pay it $70 million over two
years to provide it services.

Again, this is a pure retina race with Excite expecting more than cold
stares. Excitescape?