If You Can't Beat Them, Buy Them: Microsoft Pursuing Google

TraJ · Nov 1, 2003

http://www.eweek.com/article2/0,4149,1369599,00.asp

How can Microsoft continue to get away with trying to tie everything to Windows?

I'm wondering if the tighter Microsoft tries to grasp every aspect of computing, the more we'll begin to see things slip through their fingers.

I'm not a Microsoft hater. I know some people don't care if they make the best product in a given area (like Office, for example), they don't want anything to do with it. I don't mind using Microsoft products, but must they have their finger in everything? Must they control every aspect of the computing experience (or at least try very hard to do so)?

It's stories like this that make the "Bill Borg" on Slashdot look all too real.

Sonny · Nov 1, 2003

Luckily for us, the article I was reading did say that Google wasn't that interested and they wanted to pursue their IPO.

http://www.fool.com/News/Take/2003/take031031.htm

Microsoft to Buy Google?
The New York Times reported this morning that software king Microsoft (Nasdaq: MSFT) and search giant Google have been exploring the idea of a partnership -- or even a merger.

Such a deal makes sense, especially for Microsoft. It's been wanting to grab a slice of the lucrative search business that captures advertising dollars on a pay-per-click basis. It could jump into the market on its own, or just go with the existing marquee name. Google, along with Yahoo!-owned rival Overture (Nasdaq: YHOO), dominates the pay-per-click market.

The Times article, citing unnamed company executives, says Google probably prefers to pass on the deal for now, figuring an initial public offering makes more sense. The company does have to keep one thing in mind, however: What would happen to the value of its IPO if Microsoft announced intentions of entering the market in a big way?

In the meantime, consider what might happen if the deal does go through.

Top 10 Implications of Microsoft Buying Google
10. Free worm with every search.

9. Google renamed "Microoosoooft."

8. Google becomes default search engine on all computers; attempts to use Yahoo! causes PCs to emit a pungent odor.

7. The search choices on Google will change from "Web," "Images," "Groups," "Directory," and "News" to "Web," "Shop Microsoft," "Buy From Microsoft Because You Have No Choice," and "Steve Ballmer Dancing."

6. Google Image Search will not show Microsoft's dark side.

5. All searches on the term "Steve Jobs" will return bios on Art Garfunkel, Ike Turner, Burt Ward (a.k.a. Robin), and other second fiddles.

4. Long speeches from Bill Gates about how "Smart Appliances" will allow owners to use Google to search for what's in their fridge. When pressed, Gates admits such appliances are only available in his mansion, and that he's never actually seen his refrigerator.

3. Microsoft uses Google technology to search for weapons of monopolistic destruction.

2. All searches on the term "Larry Ellison" will produce lists of garbage-collection websites.

1. "Bill Gates is richer than Warren Buffett" subliminally inserted into all search results.
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If You Can't Beat Them, Buy Them: Microsoft Pursuing Google

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