Gawker: valleywag, microhoo

Yahoo's $37 demand talks, Microsoft's $33 offer walks

Jackson West — Sat, 03 May 2008 20:16:22 EDT

Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer heeded our advice and walked away from a bid for Yahoo. Did he dodge a potentially career-ending bullet? "The talks broke down this afternoon after a face to face meeting in the Seattle area that included Microsoft CEO Steve ballmer, Microsoft exec. kevin johnson, and Yahoo co-founders Jerry Yang and David Filo." [All Things Digital] (Photo by Yodel Anecdotal)

Five words or phrases to short on the slang stock exchange

Nicholas Carlson — Tue, 29 Apr 2008 09:00:00 EDT

CollegeHumor cofounder Ricky Van Veen has decided to short the word "douche."

After a strong resurgence in 2005 and showing strong staying power through 2007, lately most of the people I've seen use it fit into two categories: 1) people over 40 who have finally had the word passed down the cool chain from their younger friends and coworkers. 2) the "douches" originally being described themselves.

We second this call. In fact, our own very special correspondent banned douche not long ago. Below, five more words we'd like to see tank. State your portfolio position and suggest other picks in the comments.

Web 2.0.This marketing term was old when Time magazine made "You" the person of the year in 2006. CNET reporter Caroline McCarthy might have just killed it for good.
Bubble. We can't be in a recession and a bubble at the same time, people. Pick just one economic theory to overhype, please.
Influencers. This term is on the tip of every social media marketer's tongue as they look to find that one Facebook user who will spark a forest fire for the clients' brands. Problem is: Uncountable variables set the conditions for a forest fire. The spark is just the most visible. And research shows influencers aren't the real firestarters.
MicroHoo. Microsoft-Yahoo is what, seven characters longer? This word is only OK if Jerry Yang and Steve Ballmer both become Jeves Bang or Stevey Yallmer. Which I don't think is going to happen. Unless more weed is involved.
Dead simple. From now on, this phrase should only be used ironically. As in: "IsMikeArringtonADick.com makes it dead simple to find out if Mike Arrington is a dick."

(Photo by jajah)

Now Ballmer and Murdoch versus Yang, Schmidt and Falco?

Jackson West — Wed, 09 Apr 2008 23:05:00 EDT

News Corp. is now discussing a possible joint takeover bid for Yahoo with Microsoft, according to unnamed sources cited by the Wall Street Journal. Meanwhile, Yahoo is now discussing combining Internet operations with Time Warner-owned America Online as part of a three-fold move to stave off the takeover bid that includes teaming up with AOL, buying back much of the company's stock and running search ads from Google. Analysts quoted in the Journal still suggest the sale to Microsoft is a fait accompli, and that Yahoo is just trying to get CEO Steve Ballmer and company to cough up a higher bid for shares.

Tomorrow is Caturday!

confonz — Fri, 04 May 2007 19:14:13 EDT

CONFONZ — Yes, cheezburgers have taken over the IntarWeb. Who are we to go against the grain? Bitching and moaning won't help. The Conference Fonzerelli is still here, though his reign of terror is coming to a rapid end. With the weekend, and the Sea Siren parade coming up, the Fonz needs to trade in his leather jacket for a Spongebob-colored cardboard box. In an effort to get him out the door faster, he's wrapped up a nicely flavored selection of little dots for your mastication. After the jump, the Reiser alibi gets stronger, Semel on a Cruise, the Ballminator gets with L. Ron, and did the WSJ change its story?

Checking in with everyone's favorite accused killer that's contributed to the Linux kernel: Mr. Reiser's alibi got a lot better, as his dead wife's ex-lover confessed to killing 8 people. Fire up your Google and plug in Sean Sturgeon. Who knows, he may be the guy who wrote to the SEC like a forth grader. back story in a /. comment.
Why is Terry Semel commenting on Tom Cruise's relationship?
Speaking of comments, check out this doozie on the Wall Street Journal's Deal Journal blog. A fellow by the name of Thomas accuses the blog of fumbling the Microhoo! football. Far be it from the Fonz to criticize bad journalism, but pointing and staring is allowed. Is Thomas a crackpot?
And speaking of Microhoo! we have a very serious question to ask you, our beloved and sweet smelling readers: Will Steve Ballmer convert to Scientology? Our money is on "Yes!"