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February 10, 2012
Lisa M. Krieger: Man with defibrillator demands access to his own heart's information
David G. Savage: Why activists may not be in a hurry to have High Court rule on alternative marriage
February 9, 2012
Laura McMullen: 10 Least Expensive Public Schools for Out-of-State Students
Kimberly Palmer: How to actually enjoy -- relaxing, financially -- your vacation
February 8, 2012
Warren Richey: Why momentous Prop. 8 ruling might not satisfy gay-rights groups
Menachem Wecker: Though Controversial, LL.M.'s Can Lead to Specialized Legal Jobs
The Kosher Gourmet byDana Velden: Going to the bother of making soup? You know it better be good. This CREAM OF TOMATO SOUP certainly is! And it's a cinch to make, too (Includes techinques and serving secrets)
February 7, 2012
Frank J. Gaffney, Jr.: Caught off-guard? President's Super Bowl interview with Matt Lauer gives those who need a reason not to vote for him, a darn good one
Suzanne Bohan: Leaping lizards! Tiny reptiles advancing robot design
February 6, 2012
Jonathan Tobin: Iran Threatens Israel With Destruction, But the New York Times Doesn't Hear It
Jeffrey Fleishman: In newly democratic Egypt, tens of democracy activists jailed, to stand trial; their groups are 'threatening the stability of the homeland'
Julie Deardorff : Researchers say antioxidants may not be that effective and could do more harm than good
Mark Clayton: How did Anonymous hackers eavesdrop on FBI and Scotland Yard?
February 3, 2012
Edmund Sanders : Israeli official says Iran is creating missile that could reach East Coast of US
Victoria Kim: Immigrant-smuggling ring used black drivers to avoid racial profiling
February 2, 2012
Jim Carney: Wrong number call may have saved her life
Reza Kahlili : Ex-CIA spy in Iran's Revolutionary Guard: What Obama doesn't grasp about striking deals with Tehran
Tina Susman: For woodchuck rescuer, every day is Groundhog Day
February 1, 2012
Brian Bennett: US officials see increasing threat of domestic attack from Iran
Emily Brandon: How to Take Advantage of New 401(k) Fee Disclosures
January 31, 2012
January 30, 2012
Paul Richter and Ramin Mostaghim: Misreading Teheran's limits -- deadly and economically devastating as they may be -- is a risk administration, Europe seem willing to take
Suzanne Bohan: Warning: Nap-deprived tots missing more than sleep, study finds
Meg Handley: Banks Revamping Rewards Programs to Woo Customers
January 27, 2012
Caroline B. Glick: Obama: Of course I intend to prevent a nuclear holocaust . . . in a few months
Yochonon Donn: In liberal New York City, fervently-Orthodox Jews may soon be getting a district to call their own
Jeannine Stein: An inflated ego and thinking you're 'all that' doesn't just make others sick of you, it can make you ill
Katy Hopkins: New budget rules may affect how much money you get for college
January 26, 2012
Ed Koch: To the New York Times, calling for the murder of Jews by those capable of having their incitement taken seriously isn't news
Jeannine Stein: Mental illness struck one in five U.S. adults in 2010: Report
January 25, 2012
Richard Simon: House passes two bills endorsing the use of religious symbols at military memorials
Fred Weir: Putin: Multiethnic Russia cannot survive as a US-style 'melting pot'; must find its own way
Susan Johnston: 5 Sneaky Coupon Strategies Consumers Should Watch Out For
January 24, 2012
Carol Clark: The price of your soul: How your brain decides whether to 'sell out'
Caroline B. Glick: America lost most in 'Arab Spring'. Sadly, many voters still don't grasp the extent
Warren Richey: Drug criminal scores win in GPS ruling from conservative-leaning high court
Erika Bolstad: Black conservatives gather to talk about gaining strength
January 23, 2012
Melissa Dribben: Jewish voters to play a key role in Florida's Republican primary
Jordan Rau: In quest to grow, Catholic hospital system will announce this morning its break from church
Ali Safi: U.S. envoy gives Taliban terms for peace talks
January 19, 2012
January 18, 2012
January 17, 2012
Frank J. Gaffney Jr.: No-kidding red lines: U.S. response to an Iranian nuke may be bluster, but Israel's won't be
David G. Savage: They sued their principals after slandering them online --- now the cases are headed to the Supreme Court
David Francis: Where to Invest in 2012: With stocks expected to rebound, opportunity abounds for investors
January 13, 2012
Ben Lynfield: Israeli lawmakers move to annex Jewish Judea, one museum at a time
Alexia Elejalde-Ruiz: Thriving through touch: Gentle massage helps older people with low mobility improve in mind and body
January 12, 2012
Warren Richey: Landmark Supreme Court ruling a 'resounding win' for religious groups
Warren Richey: Supreme Court says no to new rule on eyewitness testimony
John Fauber : Statins found to raise diabetes risk in postmenopausal women
Katy Hopkins : Consider This Before You Pay for an Online Degree
The Kosher Gourmet by Joseph Erdos: This mushroom and barley soup has an intense -- almost nutty -- flavor that mixes robust with Middle East. It has creaminess without cream
January 11, 2012
Shari Roan: Millions of atrial fibrillation sufferers at risk for devastating, but preventable, stroke
Tom Hussain: Pakistan -- recipient of more than $21 billion in civilian and military aid -- speeds pursuit of Iranian pipeline, defying US
David G. Savage: High court signals it won't be loosening TV's 'indecency' rules
Stephen Ceasar: Oklahoma's Islamic law amendment can't go into effect, court rules
January 10, 2012
Reza Kahlili: From an ex-CIA spy: US must exploit new split in Iran's Revolutionary Guard
Karen Kaplan: Study: Nicotine replacement products ineffective when used in real-life situations
January 9, 2012
Michael Doyle: Put through legal hell over dream home, couple fought back hard --- all the way to Supreme Court
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Jewish World Review
Feb. 8, 2008
/ 2 Adar I 5768
Microsoft, Yahoo Deal Ignites Passions
By
Mark Kellner
http://www.JewishWorldReview.com |
Could Web-based applications be the key to what may be the computer industry
deal of the decade?
It's still an open question - in this observer's mind, at least - whether
the proposed acquisition of Web search near-giant Yahoo and software titan
Microsoft Corp. will either come to pass, or have a major effect on the
world as we know it. But if it does happen, the shifting of computer
applications from the desktop to the Web may be a part of the big picture.
For Yahoo's shareholders, eyes misty recalling a near $120-per-share price
during the dot-com boom, the $31 Microsoft is offering for each Yahoo share
is nice, but nowhere near the former heights those shares once reached. For
Google, which competes with both Microsoft and Yahoo, the deal is rightly
seen as competition and a challenge, one which Google is poised to oppose.
For the rest of us, well, there's not much there, yet. Microsoft's "Live
Search" is good, but not Google-killing; Yahoo's search engine is very good,
but Google has leapt into the number-one spot with grit, determination,
"viral" marketing and, oh yes, a better product. Or at least a product that
much of the world believes is better.
This is, however, a case where the whole might equal a lot more than the sum
of the parts. There are millions of people using Yahoo's e-mail services,
with an untold number paying $20 per year for extra online storage. They're
already loyal to the Yahoo "brand." Microsoft's customer base is well known:
just about everyone with a computer, Macs included, uses one Microsoft
product or another. The online base for Microsoft is substantial as well.
For many observing this deal, the question of online advertising is central.
Can a Microsoft-Yahoo team take a leading position in selling ads? It's
possible, but one of the key lessons of the dot-com boom and bust is that
winning combinations aren't always apparent, or guaranteed. Bigness counts,
but not always; after all, Yahoo was once exponentially bigger than Google.
However, much of the chatter about online advertising may overlook, again,
the question of online applications. This is one area where Google has made
some inroads, offering word processing, spreadsheets and presentations
online. All of these are compatible with Microsoft's equivalents, and
Microsoft has its own online versions of key applications, something to be
discussed here further in coming weeks.
But if Microsoft can combine the online apps with both Yahoo's reach and
online ad sales, and the game can suddenly change. The two firms together
would have something special to give that vast audience: online applications
that are as identical to their desktop counterparts as Microsoft wants them
to be, available globally.
Think about it: With sufficient computing power and Internet connectivity,
you could be connected to your work anywhere in the world, via a "thin"
notebook or desktop computer. If the software application and your data both
reside on the Internet, then you don't need as much hardware power as you
might otherwise. That could expand productivity on many levels, as well as
make powerful applications available to those not otherwise able to afford
them.
It would be interesting to see both Yahoo's e-mail and Microsoft's Hotmail
augmented with some of the strengths of, say, Microsoft Outlook, but in an
ad-supported, Web based form. The advertising would have to be somewhat
discrete, since looking at a big Coca-Cola ad might not be all that
interesting or helpful in an office setting. But there are ways to
"monetize" such applications, I believe, and I wonder if this isn't part of
Microsoft's grand design.
Of course, time will tell: the deal will face strict scrutiny in many
quarters, likely including the Congress and the Justice Department's
antitrust division. If it clears those hurdles, not to mention those of
Yahoo's board and shareholders, we may be on the verge of a brave new world
in applications, one that will be fascinating to watch.
Every weekday JewishWorldReview.com publishes what many in in the media and Washington consider "must-reading". Sign up for the daily JWR update. It's free. Just click here.
JWR contributor Mark Kellner has reported on technology for industry newspapers and magazines since 1983, and has been the computer columnist for The Washington Times since 1991.Comment by clicking here.
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© 2008, News World Communications, Inc. Reprinted with permission of The Washington Times. Visit the paper at http://www.washingtontimes.com
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