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Microsoft In Talks To Buy Claria

axonis writes "For the last two weeks, Microsoft has been in talks to buy Claria, an adware marketer formerly called Gator, and best known for its pop-up ads and software that tracks people visiting Web sites. The offer price on the table as recently as Wednesday was $500 million. One person briefed on the deal said there was opposition within Microsoft to the acquisition. Analysts said Microsoft would probably be most interested in the long-term potential of Claria's personalization software rather than its pop-up ads."

11 of 352 comments (clear)

  1. I thought that said CHINA! by bc90021 · · Score: 5, Funny

    ...and I got really scared there for a second. ;)

    It could, of course, be a good thing, if they can buy the company, and use their software for something other than spyware and popups!

  2. What to do with them? by dlefavor · · Score: 5, Funny

    With any luck they'll buy them and then blow them up.

  3. This will eliminate SPYWare by spicydragonz · · Score: 5, Funny

    Microsoft will just embed Gator into Longhorn.

    1. Re:This will eliminate SPYWare by Alien+Being · · Score: 5, Funny

      old: Where do you want to go today?
      new: We know where you've been!

  4. Microsoft is no longer the Microsoft we all love by Bemmu · · Score: 5, Funny

    What are they thinking, don't they realize what this is going to do to their image? Microsoft, the company cherished for it's warm human point of view and high quality software, associating itself with such a low-life company.

  5. on the bright side... by downerad · · Score: 5, Funny

    Well, at least deciding which company we hate most should get a lot easier.

  6. I felt a great disturbance in the force. . . by smooth+wombat · · Score: 5, Funny

    as if millions of pcs suddenly cried out in terror and were suddenly silenced.

    --
    We will bankrupt ourselves in the vain search for absolute security. -- Dwight D. Eisenhower
  7. Bonzai Buddy by DavidLeblond · · Score: 5, Funny

    Microsoft should buy whoever made Bonzai Buddy (or whatever that purple guy was called.) The integration of that and Clippy would be revolutionary.

    1. Re:Bonzai Buddy by AndersOSU · · Score: 5, Funny

      Could we make 'em fight? You know to the death? I'd install the buddy and resurect clippy if I could see that.

  8. talk about a value-add for the OS!!! by Thud457 · · Score: 5, Funny
    Don't forget:

    NWO : "For only $29.99, we won't tell the wife/DEA/Homeland Security!"


    Oh damn, forgot to click "Post Anonymously"...

    --

    the preceding comment is my own and in no way reflects the opinion of the Joint Chiefs of Staff

  9. Re:Makes sense to me... by Neon+Spiral+Injector · · Score: 5, Funny

    How about:

    Q: What is the difference between Microsoft and Claria?

    A: One makes software that subverts control, slows operation to a near halt, and generally damages the way your computer functions. The other is just a spyware company.