In an effort to compete against Google (NSDQ: GOOG) and hoping other developers can help it get some search mojo back, Yahoo will let developers, general users (and even rivals) build customized search services on top of its core engine. The new service is called "Build Your Own Search," or BOSS. Besides search, Yahoo (NSDQ: YHOO) is also unlocking its image and news databases to let outsiders ...

When Yahoo announced its Y OS (Yahoo Open Strategy) last week, it offered a vision that, if realized, could give back the company the mojo it lost several years ago. With Y OS, Yahoo pledges to open all its sites, online services and Web applications to outside developers, and give users a "social profile"