As submitted to http://acanac.org/blogs/geek

I  was somewhat in shock the other day to read a news headline about the corporate conglomerate, Microsoft, attempting to buy rival search engine and web-based email company, Yahoo.  Many of you were probably blown away at the idea that Microsoft, if successful, would own a majority share of search, web-based email and instant messaging customers.  Google certainly was.  They promptly issued a statement, speaking out against the would-be monopoly. 

Personally, I was horrified for very different reasons.  The Microsoft search engine, Live Search, is an awful search engine.  Some MS fans would argue, but opinions are free.  I have better luck finding Microsoft hosted technical articles using Google than I do using Live Search.  I don't even touch Yahoo anymore.  Their web site is littered with advertising and completely cluttered with information that is irrelevant to me.  I prefer Google's seemingly clean interface, where the advertising blends in.  Bearing all of that in mind, I was absolutely horrified that Microsoft wanted to spend that kind of money to worsen their search engine and weaken the foundation of their position in the market.  Google should have just stood back and watched while Microsoft wasted all that money.

The news today tells another story though, a story about Yahoo's plan to reject the bid from its competitor.  An article on cnn.com says that Microsoft had placed an unsolicited bid of about $31 per share.  Yahoo reportedly feels insulted by this and will entertain no offers under $40 per share.  That is just stupid and disgusting.  Get out while you can!  Yahoo is going nowhere fast.  It doesn't take a genius to see that Microsoft and Google should merge, while Yahoo and the other lesser search engines (excite, infoseek, etc.) should close up shop.  This would seriously be in the best interests of the general public and internet users everywhere. 

I also read some talk about Microsoft and a possible hostile takeover of Yahoo.  Again, this is a very bad move for all of the reasons stated above.  If Microsoft needs some sound advice, I have some for them:

Admit and accept defeat in the search engine market.  Close down Live Search operations and let Google do what they do best.  Please, for the love of technology, don't acquire Yahoo.