It's downright fascinating to me to watch Microsoft, the corporate giant that once ruled the world, flailing about for a strategy that will ensure its future.
This company was such a perceived threat that whole governments felt compelled to prosecute it occasionally, just so it wouldn't get so cocky.
In its latest scramble for survival, Microsoft has made an unsolicited bid for Yahoo! which is reacting like it's been asked to the spring prom by the school nerd. It's busy trying to find another date so it'll have an excuse for the night.
Microsoft vs. Yahoo! isn't just a dry business story. It's all about how you and I will do computing in the future. Very soon if the stars align, we won't need to buy overpriced, underdeveloped computer software on CDs or in downloads to our computers. We'll just hop on the Web for the apps we need.
Already some amazing Web-based services are available, often free, and this so-called cloud computing is getting better all the time.
Try Google Docs or the photo editing site Picnik and you'll see what I mean.
Microsoft knows what's happening and it's figuring maybe it oughta get positioned for this Internet thing. If it swallowed Yahoo! it just might get it, or maybe not.
OK, your turn: what's your favorite Web-based service? What site can't you live without?