Microsoft-Google merger?

zakur · 31st October 2003, 01:03 PM

Quote:

Microsoft and Google: Partners or Rivals?

SAN FRANCISCO, Oct. 30 - Wall Street is not the only one wooing Google. Microsoft is as well.

Google, the highflying Silicon Valley Web search company, recently began holding meetings with bankers in preparation for its highly anticipated initial public offering as it was still engaged in meetings of another kind: exploring a partnership or even a merger with Microsoft.

According to company executives and others briefed on the discussions, Microsoft - desperate to capture a slice of the popular and ad-generating search business - approached Google within the last two months to discuss options, including the possibility of a takeover.

While the overture appears to have gained little traction - Google indicated that it preferred the initial offering route, the executives said - it demonstrates the enormous importance that Google represents as both a competitive threat to Microsoft and as Silicon Valley's latest hope for a new financial boom.

Though seemingly spurned, Microsoft may still be interested in pursuing Google at a later date, according to an executive briefed on the discussions.

Both Google and Microsoft executives refused to comment.

Let me be the first to say, 'Holy Crap, Google! Please don't go that route.'

Nasarius · 31st October 2003, 01:41 PM

As people on Slashdot have said, this whole story seems to be a bit of an exaggeration. Microsoft approached Google and got a polite but firm 'no'. There's really no reason to think that Google might develop an interest in selling itself to Satan...errr, Microsoft.

dsm · 31st October 2003, 01:58 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Nasarius
There's really no reason to think that Google might develop an interest in selling itself to Satan...errr, Microsoft.

Not even $25B in the bank?

originalgagster · 31st October 2003, 02:28 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Nasarius
There's really no reason to think that Google might develop an interest in selling itself to Satan...errr, Microsoft.

why do people hate microsoft so much? i think windows XP is really quite good.

Evolver · 31st October 2003, 06:19 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by originalgagster

why do people hate microsoft so much? i think windows XP is really quite good.

It's not necessarily the product. It's the predatory business practices.

SRW · 31st October 2003, 06:36 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Evolver

It's not necessarily the product. It's the predatory business practices.

Ha ha good one, not the products shish had me going for a minute.

Nasarius · 31st October 2003, 06:42 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by originalgagster

why do people hate microsoft so much? i think windows XP is really quite good.

Oh it's stable enough, and I use XP as my primary OS, mainly because I work in Windows development. But yeah, Microsoft's business practices, their lack of concern about security, etc. make them a bit less than respectable in my eyes. Oh, and their server software is crap. I can't say I hate them, though; it was a joke

RCNelson · 31st October 2003, 09:10 PM

Quote:

originalgagster:
why do people hate microsoft so much? i think windows XP is really quite good.

Check out this site.

ceptimus · 1st November 2003, 12:45 AM

That link seems broken RC

Check out this one

Evolver · 1st November 2003, 06:21 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by SRW

Ha ha good one, not the products shish had me going for a minute.

Seriously, Microsoft does release seriously flawed products. But I get the impression that what pisses people off more is the way they devour competition, often unfairly.

31st October 2003, 01:03 PM	#1
zakur Illuminator Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: Dayton, OH Posts: 3,265	Microsoft-Google merger? Quote: Microsoft and Google: Partners or Rivals? SAN FRANCISCO, Oct. 30 - Wall Street is not the only one wooing Google. Microsoft is as well. Google, the highflying Silicon Valley Web search company, recently began holding meetings with bankers in preparation for its highly anticipated initial public offering as it was still engaged in meetings of another kind: exploring a partnership or even a merger with Microsoft. According to company executives and others briefed on the discussions, Microsoft - desperate to capture a slice of the popular and ad-generating search business - approached Google within the last two months to discuss options, including the possibility of a takeover. While the overture appears to have gained little traction - Google indicated that it preferred the initial offering route, the executives said - it demonstrates the enormous importance that Google represents as both a competitive threat to Microsoft and as Silicon Valley's latest hope for a new financial boom. Though seemingly spurned, Microsoft may still be interested in pursuing Google at a later date, according to an executive briefed on the discussions. Both Google and Microsoft executives refused to comment. Let me be the first to say, 'Holy Crap, Google! Please don't go that route.'
	__________________ "I do not believe in the collective wisdom of individual ignorance." -Thomas Carlyle "That's the problem these days: nobody thinks of the tumors." -steinhenge

31st October 2003, 01:41 PM	#2
Nasarius Muse Join Date: Jul 2002 Posts: 672	As people on Slashdot have said, this whole story seems to be a bit of an exaggeration. Microsoft approached Google and got a polite but firm 'no'. There's really no reason to think that Google might develop an interest in selling itself to Satan...errr, Microsoft.
Nasarius Muse Join Date: Jul 2002 Posts: 672	__________________ "Did you understand the music...or was it all in vain?" ~ Roger Waters

31st October 2003, 01:58 PM	#3
dsm Muse Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: Silicon Valley Posts: 970	Quote: Originally posted by Nasarius There's really no reason to think that Google might develop an interest in selling itself to Satan...errr, Microsoft. Not even $25B in the bank?
	__________________ DSM

31st October 2003, 02:28 PM	#4
originalgagster Scholar Join Date: Jan 2003 Posts: 103	Quote: Originally posted by Nasarius There's really no reason to think that Google might develop an interest in selling itself to Satan...errr, Microsoft. why do people hate microsoft so much? i think windows XP is really quite good.
originalgagster Scholar Join Date: Jan 2003 Posts: 103

31st October 2003, 06:19 PM	#5
Evolver Muse Join Date: May 2003 Posts: 783	Quote: Originally posted by originalgagster why do people hate microsoft so much? i think windows XP is really quite good. It's not necessarily the product. It's the predatory business practices.
Evolver Muse Join Date: May 2003 Posts: 783	__________________ "For duty & humanity!" -Dr. Howard, Dr. Fine & Dr. Howard "There's a lot of people that would like to forget about me as soon as possible. I'm on their side." - Frank Zappa "What the hell are you starin' at?" -Duckman

31st October 2003, 06:36 PM	#6
SRW Master Poster Join Date: Jul 2001 Posts: 2,901	Quote: Originally posted by Evolver It's not necessarily the product. It's the predatory business practices. Ha ha good one, not the products shish had me going for a minute.
SRW Master Poster Join Date: Jul 2001 Posts: 2,901

31st October 2003, 06:42 PM	#7
Nasarius Muse Join Date: Jul 2002 Posts: 672	Quote: Originally posted by originalgagster why do people hate microsoft so much? i think windows XP is really quite good. Oh it's stable enough, and I use XP as my primary OS, mainly because I work in Windows development. But yeah, Microsoft's business practices, their lack of concern about security, etc. make them a bit less than respectable in my eyes. Oh, and their server software is crap. I can't say I hate them, though; it was a joke
Nasarius Muse Join Date: Jul 2002 Posts: 672	__________________ "Did you understand the music...or was it all in vain?" ~ Roger Waters

31st October 2003, 09:10 PM	#8
RCNelson Critical Thinker Join Date: Oct 2002 Posts: 397	Quote: originalgagster: why do people hate microsoft so much? i think windows XP is really quite good. Check out this site.
RCNelson Critical Thinker Join Date: Oct 2002 Posts: 397	__________________ A point in every direction is the same as no point at all

1st November 2003, 12:45 AM	#9
ceptimus puzzler Join Date: May 2003 Posts: 3,316	That link seems broken RC Check out this one
ceptimus puzzler Join Date: May 2003 Posts: 3,316	__________________

1st November 2003, 06:21 AM	#10
Evolver Muse Join Date: May 2003 Posts: 783	Quote: Originally posted by SRW Ha ha good one, not the products shish had me going for a minute. Seriously, Microsoft does release seriously flawed products. But I get the impression that what pisses people off more is the way they devour competition, often unfairly.
Evolver Muse Join Date: May 2003 Posts: 783	__________________ "For duty & humanity!" -Dr. Howard, Dr. Fine & Dr. Howard "There's a lot of people that would like to forget about me as soon as possible. I'm on their side." - Frank Zappa "What the hell are you starin' at?" -Duckman