TECHNOLOGY & TELECOMMUNICATIONS

Netscape to Buy Software Firm: Netscape Communications Corp. said it agreed to buy Collabra Software Inc. for $108.7 million in stock to expand the reach of its Internet software into corporate computer networks. The acquisition would let Netscape beef up its Internet software--used mainly now by fun-seeking on-line aficionados--to handle communications between co-workers of far-flung companies. It would also vault Netscape into the fast-growing software niche known as groupware. Collabra, with 50 employees, writes software that lets co-workers collaborate on documents through computer networks. Separately, Netscape said the repaired version of its popular Internet browsing software won’t be ready as early as promised. Both companies are based in Mountain View, Calif.