IPO as a mean of exit strategy

[ReviewGolf.com]

Have you ever mistyped a URL and got a message saying “We can't find…” Have you taken a closer look at the message?

Basically it’s a small Microsoft file that includes a link to Microsoft’s (not Google or Yahoo!) search engine with couple inconspicuous ads that mention MSN Mail and even give you an opportunity to lookup if a domain name is available (and buy it). Brilliant. At the first glance it’s a simple error page. In reality it’s a web version of product placement, and where, right in front of your eyes, without the noise of other ads screaming at you.

Do these sorts of tactics make Google nervous? You bet. What does Google have that MS doesn’t? Eye balls – certainly not the technology (if MS can’t build it they can definitely buy it).

Recently I read about Microsoft’s attempt to improve their search capabilities. In fact XP already allows you search the web without opening the browser.

So putting all these little pieces together, does it seem that Google’s IPO plan is an attempt to cash in on what they have today, before MS or someone else make their “Big Idea” obsolete?

I think Google’s IPO bid is ridiculous. I think they’re about 9 years late for the dotcom train. What do you think?

[Mel]

I really don't think Google is going to vanish anytime soon.

You only get that type of message if you are using the IE browser.

What do I think about the Google IPO? If you can get ahold of Google stock do so, but moniter the market. I really don't think it will be a bad investment.

[ReviewGolf.com]

I do not think it's going to disappear either. I think it'll get large players buying large chunks of it to push their agenda.

I think the IPO is overpriced and personally would not be interested in buying any of that stock, although it may spike initially because of all the hype that's the local media is providing.

Re: IE browsers. 96% of all traffic to my sites comes via IE. MS realized early on that they might loose battle to Netscape and put some good money into it. Fortunately for them, Netscape made a mistake of selling their soul to AOL. Ever since NS was nothing but a trailing underdog. NS 6.0 was so buggy that the next version rolled out a month later, just to take care of the lousy scripting. Sorry to say, but AOL is known for milking those that do not have much computer experience. On the other hand IE went for those that used to have "NS only" buttons on their sites (I'm one of them). IE is leading the way, whether you like it or not.

I intentionally do not mention other browsers, because their following is cult like. I know a few people that still prefer Opera, not matter what.

[Mel]

I suspect that the online auction type IPO will limit the traditional big players for getting large chunks, as they do in conventional IPOs, and place more stock in the hands of the little guys.

As to the worth of the stock, its worth whatever people are willing to pay for it, and so long as the investment makes sense financially many will look at Googles track record and decide that this is a management style that they like, and buy.

Yep I am one of those who think that the latest version of Opera runs rings around IE, in that it is faster and has more useful features, but the sad fact is that IE does account for the vast majority of Browsers in use today.