Mar 13, 2008

Microsoft + Yahoo = ?

Microsoft + Yahoo = ?

Readers debate the pros and cons of Microsoft buying Yahoo, and try to predict the outcome.
Kellie Parker, PC World
Thursday, February 07, 2008

The PCW community was buzzing last week with the news that Microsoft has made an offer to buy Yahoo. Is this a good move? Would it improve the services you use--or would your favorites disappear? Many of you gave your opinions, and we hope you keep them coming.

Some of our most recommended stories this week cover Google and malware, Windows XP, small computers, and eBay fee increases. To vote for your own favorites, click one of the thumbs-up icons on an article's page.

We end with product reviews from users like you. Have you gotten any new high-tech goodies recently? Let us and your fellow PC World readers know what you think of them. Go to PC World Shopping to search for your gear and add a review.

Note: To use our interactive features, such as adding comments to discussions, voting in the weekly poll, and contributing your own product reviews, you must be signed in to the PC World Web site. (Not registered? You can sign up online.) However, you can view the discussion threads and poll results without being signed in.

If Microsoft Buys Yahoo: What We'd Love--and Hate

phelps says: When will people get it through their heads there is nothing good about Microsoft buying anything. A giant corporation harboring the wealthiest people in the world will not do things out of the goodness of its heart; it has none.

Yert says: Microsoft buying Yahoo is good. Both companies will be able to compete, making Google have to fight. Corporate fights always benefit the consumer.

Rkinne01 says: Arghh. I am so tired of all this anti-Microsoft crap! Microsoft is a business and like any business they won't stay afloat if people if people don't but their products. Bottom line: If you don't like Microsoft or any other company, then don't buy their products, period.

Stargazershah says: Probably after this Yahoo will have to migrate all its applications and codes to comply with a Microsoft platform. What BS! I think Google should work with Apple.

Snorg says: Microsoft will probably fill Yahoo full of ActiveX, making it useless for us Firefox users.

Boogerman41747 says: I hope this won't happen, as I would have to give up my Yahoo e-mail address of 10 years. I shudder to think what Micro$oft would change. I quit using Hotmail long ago, thanks to Redmond's constant restrictions. Hey Redmond! I own my computer; I decide what I can do with it, not you.

Microsoft and Yahoo: Will Your Favorite Service Disappear?

phreakincool says: I've been looking for an excuse to switch from Yahoo's portal, which I've been a loyal user for the last 11 years, to Google's portal page. Its far superior in every way. I've got several Gmail accounts. I use Google's search almost all the time over Yahoo search. So I might as well make the complete switch now. Once Microsoft gets its hands on Yahoo, Yahoo will never be the same. Maybe that's a good thing for both Yahoo and Microsoft.

Ralphv1234 says: If the merger took place, there would be a lot of customers who would go with another ISP company. But if Yahoo uses its brains, it could pull through this mess and survive and keep happy customers.

RickCS says: When Yahoo bought Geocities, innovation dropped to a crawl. Yes, ordinary people created ugly Web sites, but those with design sense could easily make respectable sites. Geocities could easily have become MySpace, YouTube, and WordPress before the others were even born. Watch history repeat as Microsoft buys Yahoo. Innovation stops, driving passion and good sense depart.

Nonniedolittle says: If Microsoft takes over Yahoo many of the 5 million users would desert. I would be one of them.

* * * * * * * * * *

No comments: