Former Apple Execs to Expand Chat Line

Several former Apple Computer Inc. executives have raised $9 million in venture capital to expand their Internet chat service, TalkCity. Former Apple Chairman John Sculley, ex-Chief Financial Officer Joe Graziano and onetime executive Peter Friedman started TalkCity in April, a month after Apple canceled its eWorld online service. Friedman, who started up and ran eWorld, runs the new business, LiveWorld Productions Inc., from his Saratoga, Calif., home. Unlike eWorld, TalkCity (www.talkcity.com) can run on Windows as well as Macintosh computers. TalkCity appeared on Netscape Communications Corp.’s home page in September, increasing the number of visitors from about 15,000 to about 100,000. That helped its founders attract four new investors, including Softbank Ventures Inc.