The software giant will take a 20 percent stake in software maker RealNames and will push for new standards to simplify Web navigation, the company is scheduled to announce today.

RealNames, which substitutes short "keywords" for complicated Internet addresses, or URLs, already offers its service through Microsoft´s Internet Explorer Web browser and MSN Web portal. Microsoft announced the inclusion of RealNames in its Web browser software last year in a series of initiatives to jump-start its stalled MSN Internet effort.

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