From MediaDaily News.com, I learned that MSN Search has entered the local search competition already staffed by Google, Yahoo, and America Online.

"The service provides geographically targeted search results of businesses and other local information, as well as online street and aerial maps pinpointing designated targets. "This is only the beginning of a much larger search strategy," Justin Osmer, MSN product manager, said. "We're already well on our way to combining local search with more advanced online maps."

Related:

• Find Maps and Directions on the Web, anything from driving directions to atlases
• Change Internet Explorer's Default Search Engine Setting: If you would like to set Internet Explorer to something other than the default MSN Search, follow these directions.
• Microsoft Introduces Tabbed Browsing Toolbar: from June 11, Microsoft is joining the ranks of Google and Yahoo with their updated MSN Search toolbar, which includes desktop search (the ability to search your own computer files).