Another Dot Com

So I read that Yahoo may merge with AOL and for the merger Time Warner would make an investment to Yahoo. Yahoo is also working on a ad deal with Google. Humm… Sounds kinda dumb, but Yahoo is doing whatever possible to keep Microsoft off their back.

Let’s see what happens in next 3 weeks. My bet is on Microsoft.

I just read that Microsoft has given Yahoo a 3 weed deadline on the merger. If merger terms are not met by Yahoo by the deadline, Microsoft will begin a proxy fight.

Say good-bye to Yahoo. (I guess I should be happy… for I’m a M$FT shareholder)

If you are interested in office applications, try Zoho. They offer an online office solutions - some for free, some for fee.

I tried some of Zoho’s office apps…and, it’s not MS office, but it works.

Let me know what you think.

Online advertising companies are going through major consolidation. Big boys are buying online ad companies like there’s no tomorrow — Google buys DoubleClick, Yahoo buys the rest of Right Media, Publicis buys Digitas, AOL acquired a controlling interest in Adtech AG, WPP signed a deal to buy 24/7 Real Media, AOL gobbled up Boston-based mobile advertising startup Third Screen Media, etc.

Could this happen? According to some articles on the web, Yahoo has been approached by Microsoft for a buyout — Yahoo has turned down the offer, but can they hold out? Why is Microsoft eyeing Yahoo? Online advertising? I think so. There were some rumors about Microsoft and AOL, but I think Yahoo is a better buy — if it happens.

A combined MSFT/YHOO would have 38% of US search share (vs. GOOG 48%), 27% worldwide (vs. GOOG 66%), 12% of US total page views (vs. GOOG 3%), and 19% of US total minutes (vs GOOG 3%)

Yahoo purchased Right Media, online market place for ads, for $680 million. Good move for Yahoo? I think when Google purchased Doubleclick, Yahoo had to show the market something. And something was to buy Right Media…btw, Yahoo stock price fell again (-1.07%). I think Yahoo should focus on improving their existing AD network and service rather than buy something that would take them many months to fold into Yahoo. Just my opinion.

According to Venturebeat.com, Google has agreed to purchase DoubleClick for $3.1 billion (all cash deal). This move for Google will enhance Google’s banner and other display ad positions. To date, Google dominates the text ads, but has been week on banner ads. Purchase of DoubleClick will put Google on competitive level with Yahoo on non-text ads. Banner and rich media ads on Google? I hope not.

I read today that Facebook is getting around 1.5 billion daily pageviews. Just last month, Facebook reported around 1 billion daily pageviews. Impressive growth! Now, if Facebook can come up with way to monetize the pageviews….

I read today that Yahoo Mail will bump its email storage from 2GB to unlimited around May of 2007. I remember when free email services only gave you 4MB…LOL.