Bloggers who currently enjoy and benefit from Yahoo’s web 2.0 tools like Flickr and MyBlogLog can breath easy, for a while at least, now that Yahoo has officially rejected Microsoft’s takeover bid calling it “inadequate”.
Of course, Microsoft being Microsoft, they have already taken steps to try and force the deal by taking their bid directly to Yahoo’s shareholders. Microsoft’s management began preparing for that possibility a week ago by meeting with some of Yahoo’s major shareholders to rally support for its offer.
And if that doesn’t work, Microsoft could try to override Yahoo’s board by trying to oust the current directors later this year. Yes, they really would stoop that low to get what they want.
One of the most frustrating aspects to this threat is it’s absolute futility. Even if Microsoft do buy Yahoo they still won’t get what they want. Microsoft hates the fact that Google have won. It’s that simple. Microsoft thinks they can beat Google by assimilating Yahoo. The best description of why this won’t work can be found on the fake Steve Jobs blog.
It’s like taking the two guys who finished second and third in a 100-yard dash and tying their legs together and asking for a rematch, believing that now they’ll run faster.
If you currently use MyBlogLog, as many bloggers do since it’s a great tool, it might be time to make a note of your contacts since you can bet your bottom dollar that it won’t be same place for very long if Microsoft takes over. Even if they leave it alone, which is incredibly unlikely, there will be a mass exodus from the service hampering it’s usefulness. People don’t like Microsoft and they certainly don’t trust them.
Unfortunately I don’t think Yahoo will be able hold out forever and it’s a given that Microsoft won’t give up. At least this rejection will buy some time for all those people who want to clear out their Flickr accounts before Gates and Balmer get their hands on them.
