Maybe the Internet thrill isn't gone, but is that it over there pulling on its jacket and heading for the door?

The Net promised to let consumers read everything, hear everything, play anything. Any David with a computer could elbow aside the most gargantuan Goliath. No matter the question, the answer was yes, sure, it's possible, do it.

Today, the Internet is messy, dangerous ground. Viruses and system break-ins are on the rise, while vested interests battle over what isn't allowed.

Millions of corporate dollars are fueling a fight to control what consumers can view or listen to, how many times, in what format and over what type of connection. Lawyers are suing, lobbyists are lobbying and policymakers are grasping to figure out what role government should play.

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