Microsoft to phase out Inktomi

Microsoft Corp. said Tuesday it will stop using the Internet search engine made by Inktomi as its primary search vehicle because it had signed another agreement with Compaq Computer Corp. Inktomi, whose shares lost about 17 percent after the announcement, said it was disappointment but that it hoped to forge other deals with the Redmond, Wash.-based software giant. Inktomi_s ``spider' technology powers several of the most popular search engines, which allow computer users to quickly search for items on the Internet. Revenue figures for the Microsoft partnership were not immediately available but an Inktomi spokesman pointed out that Microsoft was one of about 15 so-called portal customers. In addition to networking software, Inktomi_s two other businesses are network caching and its soon-to-be shopping engine, he said.