Comments on: Yahoo Open: Finally, a real answer to Google

It's late and no quick fix, but the Yahoo Open Strategy has the potential to move the Web pioneer closer to the center of the Internet action again.

[I_hate_Apple]

Honestly, does anyone truly believe that Yahoo will rise from the ashes?

Right now in cave some where Jerry Yang is trying to figure out his next step once Google cuts all ties to keep the Feds from snooping around.

I remember a time when Yahoo was the cool kid on the block and could do no wrong, oh how the mighty has fallen.

[mpitogo]

Everyone I know uses Yahoo, from e-mail to IM.

[dogboi]

I think Yahoo, more than anyone, is poised to be competition for Google. They just have to find their way out the darkness.

Their email service is used by a lot more people than gmail (thus, their email service should, in fact, be pumping revenue into their coffers.) Many more people use Yahoo Messenger than Gtalk. Most importantly, they already have a functional search back-end that can take the pressure of heavy load.

So why aren't they causing Google more of a problem: Diversification. Yahoo has invested way too many of their resources in diversifying their brand. They need to return to the central focus of that brand: Search. They should start selling off unrelated projects (except, of course, for Mail and Messenger). Things like Zimbra should be sold off.

I honestly don't know if Flickr produces any profit for them. If it doesn't, it should be.

Just my devalued American 2 cents.

[t26l]

I tried Yahoo e-mail once, a few years ago. I created an address, then forgot about it for a couple of days, not once divulging it to anyone else. When I came back, I had well over two hundred new messages, all spam. No thank you.

They certainly have the user base and resources to challenge Google, but I'm skeptical that they can match the latter's quality.

[i_made_this]

As more Windows users shift to FF or Opera, Neal has his hands full redesigning YIM to work off the MSN IM core. YIM retains market which Yahoo cannot afford to lose, but it isn't picking up share - IMHO due to this issue. Open *should* address the issue and breath life back into their client. Time will tell but money is talking very loud at the Board re the need for speed in such initiatives if Yahoo wishes to remain independent. Stuff like this isn't rocket science - Yahoo can re-engineer YIM in a heartbeat but they really must address policy issues like continued annual funding from MSFT in exchange for promoting IE - it's become a burden they need to jettison and pronto.

YAP is like OpenSocial. OK. Does it support the OpenSocial APIs? If this is something new that competes with OpenSocial and forces me to learn something non-trivial or requires my widgets or production process to adopt some complexity then no thanks Yahoo. I think the buzz that they are trying to latch onto with Open Hack Day is vaporous and simply trying to leverage and monetize the latest trends is not going to provide a sustainable foothold to help get them out of the Yahoo sinkhole.

[AppleSuxLeo]

Heap Fragmentation is the bane of both Chrome AND FF...IE8 doesn`t have this problem and uses many fewer CPU cycles , to perform the same job. IE8 RULES.

[Mr. Dee]

I hardly use their IM, but its the only option at school right now, since the Admins block WLM because everyone has it and uses it. Personally I don't feel interested in any of this stuff they are creating, I am only dedicated one Social medium and thats Facebook, because it really keeps me in touch with people I know and everybody seems to be on it.