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February 4, 2008 6:44 AM PST

Ballmer: Attack Google with or without Yahoo

by Ina Fried

Steve Ballmer spent plenty of time talking about Yahoo during Microsoft's just-concluded meeting with financial analysts on Monday. However, the CEO offered little news with regards to the company's $44.6 billion bid for Yahoo.

He reiterated many of the things he said in announcing the deal Friday, talking about the need for scale in the business and the benefits of combining the two companies' research-and-development efforts.

Ballmer also echoed General Counsel Brad Smith's comments Sunday--that Microsoft buying Yahoo would increase competition by creating a stronger alternative to Google, while other potential options for Yahoo would ultimately reduce competition.

Asked whether Microsoft had purchased any Yahoo shares on the open market, Chief Financial Officer Chris Liddell declined to comment.

Asked what would happen if Microsoft's bid does not go through, Ballmer said Microsoft would continue full steam ahead with its existing plan to build its online-ad business.

"We have a chance to get further sooner through the acquisition of Yahoo," Ballmer said, adding that Microsoft is "on a path, and we'll stay on that path, regardless."

During her years at CNET News, Ina Fried has changed beats several times, changed genders once, and covered both of the Pirates of Silicon Valley. These days, most of her attention is focused on Microsoft. E-mail Ina.
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Yahoo Takeover Rally Song: Age of Yapocalypse !
by Sumatra-Bosch February 4, 2008 7:43 AM PST
When Monkeyboy's in a buying mode

And Jupiter's Making him Strange

Then choas rules the markets

Chairs fly in Sunnyvale

This is the dawning of the Age of Yapocalypse!

Age of Yapocalypse!

Ya-POC-pocalyyyyyyyyyyyypse!

YA-pooooc-AAAA-lyyyyyyyyyypse!
Reply to this comment
Microsoft getting desparate. If you can't create a winning Internet site.
by JCPayne February 4, 2008 7:44 AM PST
Than just hostile take over one.......
Reply to this comment
Google is awesome. Period.
by ethana2 February 4, 2008 1:12 PM PST
As long as microsoft still has room to be evil, the heat isn't up high enough. Same with Apple.

Google has a ways to go yet, and as of now, they're right on track.
Reply to this comment
Same with Apple?
by Ian Joyner February 4, 2008 3:08 PM PST
>>As long as microsoft still has room to be evil, the heat isn't up
high enough. Same with Apple.<<

Um, what is the same with Apple? Apple hasn't set out to destroy
other businesses just because they are successful. It doesn't have
anti-trust rulings against it, etc, etc.
I especially like how they help the Chinese government censor dissent
by benjwah February 4, 2008 10:01 PM PST
Google is a corporation, interested in money and getting the best return for their shareholders.
Their motto might be "Don't be evil", but you should be aware that that's just PR crap designed the throw fools off their trail. Looks like it's working.
Business Plan?
by Ian Joyner February 4, 2008 3:05 PM PST
Other reports read >>>"I'm going to f---ing bury that guy, I
have done it before, and I will do it again. I'm going to f---ing
kill Google," Ballmer said of Google and its CEO.<<< revealed in
a sworn court statement by former Microsoft employee Mark
Lucovsky.

Doesn't sound like a very good business plan. Ballmer is just
destructive, like Gates he is jealous of other's success, but he
lacks any decency that Gates may have.
Reply to this comment
Ballmer...
by ssmiroldo February 4, 2008 4:54 PM PST
Ballmer is such a goob. Even before seeing "Pirates of Silicon
Valley" I thought he was a goob. After seeing that movie and the
"developers, developers, developers" music video (see below
link), he's even more of a goob.

http://video.google.com/videoplay?
docid=2937812293367399857

LOL!
Reply to this comment
The Yapocalypse Song !
by Sumatra-Bosch February 4, 2008 5:54 PM PST
[Sung to the tune of Aquarius]

When Monkeyboy's in a buying mode
And Jupiter's Making him Strange
Then choas rules the markets
Chairs fly in Sunnyvale
This is the dawning of the Age of Yapocalypse!
Age of Yapocalypse!

Ya-POC-alyyyyyyyyyyyypse!
YA-poooo-cAAAA-lyyyyyyyyyypse!

Savagery and 'Softie violence
Flying chairs bouncing off the walls
All is falsehood and derision
Blackened nightmare acquisition
Ballmer's twisted predliction
Death be better liberation

Ya-POC-alyyyyyyyyyyyypse!
Ya-POC-a-lyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyypse!
Reply to this comment
How can you attack a company that is so productive
by jasonmck February 4, 2008 9:35 PM PST
A few readers have noted that Disneyland opens and closes an hour early on Tuesday, Febuary 5. The change to the park schedule is as a result of a private party for the employees of search engine Google, out of Mountain View, California. According to other readers who have friends and family who work for Google, the company has reserved large blocks of rooms at the Disneyland Resort hotels for employees. In addition to the private party on Tuesday, Google employees will likely be at the resort February 4, 5 and 6.
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About Beyond Binary

During her years at CNET News, Ina Fried has changed beats several times, changed genders once, and covered both of the Pirates of Silicon Valley. These days, most of her attention is focused on Microsoft.


Beyond Binary is a look at how technology is changing our lives and the people behind all that life-changing stuff, with an extra emphasis on that which emanates from Redmond, Wash.

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