Hi fellars just reading your comments on SE joining forces to make a better SE, Yes this would assist for web sites listing in a number of SE with out the hassells, But I can not see how this would make any one SE better then the 3 big guys.
Think if SE operaters get together and build or source a next generation platform for searching you all may benifit.
I am under the understanding that the future SE will be off the wall searching not seen before.