With Bill Gates’ retirement this week, there’s been an excuse for lots of chatter about his career with Microsoft, and what they have done in the world of computers over the years.

I came across this post about “Things No One Gives Microsoft Credit For (But Should)“, which I thought seemed a bit… uninformed. But I was surprised to realize that it was posted on Gizmodo, which I had expected to post more accurate and educated content. So, as there is nothing good on TV right now (or more specifically, nothing good on “my” TV right now, thanks to my wife) I thought I’d pick it apart; (more…)

June 30th, 2008 | Devices and User Interfaces, Freedom, The Internet, WWW | No comments

Just when you thought it was all over; investor Carl Icahn (a major shareholder in Yahoo!) has announced his plans to oust the entire board of directors and replace them with a new board who would be friendlier to a Microsoft takeover.

BBC NEWS | Technology | Yahoo rebuffs plan to oust board

Yahoo chairman Roy Bostock has written to Mr Icahn saying it was not in shareholders’ interest to allow him and his “handpicked nominees” to take over. Mr Bostock also criticised efforts to use the board fight to as a way to “force a sale of Yahoo to a formerly interested buyer”.

“May I remind you that there is currently no acquisition offer on the table from that company (Microsoft) or any other party,” he wrote. “That said, we have been crystal clear in our stance that we have been and remain willing to consider any proposal from any party including Microsoft if it offers our stockholders full and certain value.”

Microsoft has already said that, contrary to rumours of it possibly making another move later in the year, talks with Yahoo are over.

To help his bid to remove the board, Mr Icahn has reportedly bought around 59 million Yahoo shares – a 4.4% stake in the company. He has declared a desire to buy up to $2.5bn worth of shares – a 7% stake.

By comparison Yahoo boss Jerry Yang and fellow co-founder David Filo hold 10% stakes in the company.

Tags: Yahoo, Microsoft

May 16th, 2008 | Uncategorized | No comments