This is the problem with being a publicly-traded company -- you're obligated to do what's best for the shareholders, not what's best for the company. The best thing for Yahoo!, the company, is to decline the takeover. But the best thing for the shareholders most likely is to accept it. The shareholders will get boatloads of money, but the company will be sunk; it'll be stripped for parts and most of the employees will most likely be sent packing. But hey, who cares about the competitive and economic impact as long as we get a couple more m/billionaires out of the deal?

Of course, Microsoft themselves are equally vulnerable to Proxy fighting, which in the final analysis, always boil down to the competence and core business and moral values of the main protagonists.

Given the Perception that Microsoft are not of the Do No Evil crowd, for Bill to get into that scrap would be ........... well, brave would be one adjective and foolhardy would be another.

"The best thing for Yahoo!, the company, is to decline the takeover. But the best thing for the shareholders most likely is to accept it. The shareholders will get boatloads of money, but the company will be sunk; it'll be stripped for parts and most of the employees will most likely be sent packing." ..... Hmmm? With boatloads of money, starting all over again, without deadwood baggage, is a Godsend surely?

I'm intrigued: in what way? In that they can crash and burn with their principles intact?

It's not what Yahoo is worth, it's what it's worth to Microsoft. Google is attacking their office, soon their OS, they've lost web control. Without Windows and Office Microsoft is not a major company.

They need Yahoo and they'll stump to $50b, maybe even $60b.

No, because no one else has that much money.

<<<"Microsoft themselves are equally vulnerable to Proxy fighting"

By Tom Chiverton

Posted Wednesday 20th February 2008 09:38 GMT

No, because no one else has that much money. >>>>

It doesn't need money, Tom, only brains.

"Without Windows and Office Microsoft is not a major company."

... and without planes and rockets Boeing is not a major company either.