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Microsoft Withdraws Yahoo Takeover Offer
mksmac writes "According to the KOMO TV Website, Microsoft has withdrawn its bid for Yahoo after presenting them with an increased offer that was subsequently declined by Yahoo. Frankly, this seems like a smarter decision on Microsoft's part, but I'd like to hear how other people feel about the deal. Should Microsoft have walked away, pressured Yahoo via a hostile takeover or sweetened the pot until Yahoo gave in?" For those who prefer it, the NYT also has coverage, and the story is also at news.com, among many others. I like the Beeb's version as well. And for the Microsoft-centric explanation of why the courtship is over, see Steve Balmer's letter to Jerry Yang.
Resistance is futile. EPIC awaits. Today Yahoo, tomorrow Amazon.
Knowledge is power. Knowledge shared is power multiplied.
I for one have been using Yahoo as my main page since back in the early 90's when the net was really just starting. I had been dreading this deal, because had it went through, I would have had to find a new home page. I have been happy with yahoo for some 15 years or so now (golly has it been that long). I for one am glad they withdrew, peaceably from this deal. As I like Yahoo far more then MS any day of the year. I also am glad that MS did not get their hands on the millions of emails which Yahoo also owns.
~DF
"MSFT" is a fairly commonly used abbreviation for Microsoft in technical conversation now. Shortening "Yahoo" to "YHOO" saves a letter. "Google" to "GOOG" saves you two letters at the expense of goofiness. Changing "Microsoft" to "MSFT" drops over half the letters, is widely understood, and goes well with the trend of abbreviating that company's name and products. For example, almost no one writes "Microsoft Internet Explorer" instead of "MSIE", but everyone spells out "Firefox" and "Safari".
This isn't a conspiracy or sign of a hidden agenda. It's just an abbreviation - and a widely used, clear one at that.
Dewey, what part of this looks like authorities should be involved?
Nothing personal, but just because you had to look up "MSFT" and discover it was a stock ticker symbol for Microsoft, doesn't mean that the rest of us nerds had to look it up too.
My comments here are my own; I do not speak for my employer.