http://mashable.disqus.com/Internet and Technology News - Mashable is the world’s largest blog focused exclusively on Web 2.0 and Social Networking news. With more than 5 million monthly pageviews, Mashable is the most prolific blog reviewing new Web sites and services, publishing breaking news on what’s new on the web.enThu, 08 May 2008 00:56:24 -0000http://mashable.com/2008/05/07/bill-gates-lied-microsoft-may-offer-to-buy-out-facebook/#comment-6002710<p>Wasting 15B on a fad website? Should it happen, it would be the dumbest rip-off ever. The stupidity would go right up there w/ Benz buying Chrysler.</p>dorrenThu, 08 May 2008 00:56:24 -0000http://mashable.com/2008/05/07/bill-gates-lied-microsoft-may-offer-to-buy-out-facebook/#comment-6002709<p>Well, at least they already use the same style sheet... suckyCorporateBlueIsTheNewManilla.css</p>jozecuervoWed, 07 May 2008 18:37:46 -0000http://mashable.com/2008/05/07/bill-gates-lied-microsoft-may-offer-to-buy-out-facebook/#comment-6002706<p>"Microsoft still needs to find a way to improve its search and advertising tactics if it wants to beat Google and Yahoo"</p><p>Isn't that like saying, "Xerox needs to improve its consumer photo printing tactics if it wants to beat HP and Kodak"?</p><p>Microsoft is not a search and advertising business! The Yahoo! acquisition was not (primarily) about search, and if a Facebook acquisition were in the works, it wouldn't be about search either!</p><p>Microsoft is a platform company at heart. What they're really looking for is a way to make themselves the dominant platform of the web. They tried to do that from the back end, by proprietary technology standards, without as much success as they'd like. Now they're trying to do it from the front-end; Yahoo!'s strategy of making themselves the "starting point of the web" would have been perfect for Microsoft's platform goals.</p>Jay NeelyWed, 07 May 2008 15:12:06 -0000http://mashable.com/2008/05/07/bill-gates-lied-microsoft-may-offer-to-buy-out-facebook/#comment-6002704<p>If Microsoft Bought Facebook...</p><p><a href="http://haochen.wordpress.com/2008/05/07/if-microsoft-bought-facebook/" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank" title="http://haochen.wordpress.com/2008/05/07/if-microsoft-bought-facebook/">http://haochen.wordpress.co...</a></p>HaoWed, 07 May 2008 14:49:54 -0000http://mashable.com/2008/05/07/bill-gates-lied-microsoft-may-offer-to-buy-out-facebook/#comment-6002703<p>Why doesn't MS concentrate on products it sells...like Office and Windows? I find it hard to believe they can manage themselves spread any thinner.</p>JohnWed, 07 May 2008 14:05:14 -0000http://mashable.com/2008/05/07/bill-gates-lied-microsoft-may-offer-to-buy-out-facebook/#comment-6002702<p>Now this is some interesting news. Especially when Facebook hasn't gone IPO either - which I have been waiting on.</p><p>If Microsoft wants to compete against the growing Google, they had better strategically acquire somebody fast because their MSN isn't the best and they rely too much on revenue streams from their software/OS. What if Google were to come out with their own OS and their own Office? Oh boy!</p><p>Good twitter Pete.</p>AlbertWed, 07 May 2008 13:56:14 -0000http://mashable.com/2008/05/07/bill-gates-lied-microsoft-may-offer-to-buy-out-facebook/#comment-6002701<p>"Microsoft already threw a $240 investment at Facebook ..."</p><p>Really? I'm surprised they didn't go to a full $300! ;)</p>Nick The GeekWed, 07 May 2008 13:50:49 -0000