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Microsoft to acquire LinkedIn for $26B

news.microsoft.com

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Re: Microsoft to acquire LinkedIn for $26B

#411

Post by korginator »

Interesting to see the obvious pro-microsoft bias in comments here. I can only imagine the worst from microsoft and their user-hostile behaviour.

* trojan-like telemetry impossible to control or block

* malware-like behaviour through "legitimate" software update channels, force-feeding windows 10 on unwilling customers

* embrace-extend-extinguish, mission accomplished by destroying Nokia's smart phone business

* their recent shenanigans with skype, and how they killed Linux support

* their abysmal, hard-to-use new directions in UI design (flat, 2D, no contrast, paper-like, or even metro for that matter)

I can already think of three to four nasty ways they can leverage (abuse) all the LinkedIn user information, work history, contacts, and networks, and I'm sure they will do it based on their recent user-antagonistic behaviour.

Oh, but they've nicely polished up their PR machinery so everything's cool now.

Re: Microsoft to acquire LinkedIn for $26B

#413

Post by uudecode »

ivoras wrote: post #11

Oh, I can just imagine how the process went at MS: * Exec A: Social things are Good (coming to the conclusion about 10 years too late) * Exec B: Shall we create our own Google+? * Exec C: No, that didn't turn out that well for Google. Let's buy something existing. * Exec B: Ok, I've Googled a list of top 10 social networking sites for sale, and ordered them by list price, but really we'll need to come up with a strat…

"To be honest, they're probably buying the users, not the product."

I thought the same when they invested in "Facebook" and gave some kid with a website 17M or so.

And then when they overpaid for Skype.

I would not say "probably" any more. They are buying users. Maybe it's the only way they can stay in the game.

Re: Microsoft to acquire LinkedIn for $26B

#414

Post by anonymoussee »

criddell wrote: post #379
cmdr_plx wrote: post #364

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I feel you're implying Windows 10 is not a well-designed OS. It's actually quite wonderful and usable OS, IMHO.

Well, it is buggy . Many of us feel that the lack of privacy options for non-enterprise users is somewhat creepy . And if you are the support person for less computer-savvy family members that have woke up to an unwanted Windows 10 upgrade, you will know that many people find it difficult to use.

Why not say it personally and stop generalizing and using "many of us". If it's buggy for you, say it for yourself. "I feel that the lack of privacy...".

Re: Microsoft to acquire LinkedIn for $26B

#415

Post by spriggan3 »

simonswords82 wrote: post #133
abpavel wrote: post #73

The last gasp. Just like Yahoo with tumblr. When a corporate behemoth has a dream of transformation, they rather just buy that dream than to actually undergo transformation themselves.

Yahoo were borderline negligent with that purchase. I suspect the shareholders and board at Microsoft have a much better idea of what they're planning to do to monetise Linked In.

> Yahoo were borderline negligent with that purchase

That's not what most HNers were saying at that time, they were praising Mayer and her "awesome strategy" of shopping her way into success. Of course it didn't make sense at all, like that deal makes very little sense at all too.

Re: Microsoft to acquire LinkedIn for $26B

#416

Post by partiallypro »

slowmotiony wrote: post #324
karterk wrote: post #63

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Ah, the armchair critic. I'm by no means a Microsoft fanboy, but things have been much better under Satya Nadella.

Before Satya was CEO, it was normal to see a bunch of Nokia Lumia phones in every bus, tram or metro train in Germany. Right now it would be hard to find even one, and Windows Phone seems to be an abandoned project. So I cannot entirely agree that Satya is so much better as a CEO than Ballmer.

Well, Microsoft has effectively killed off Lumia, and will be focusing on the Surface Phone and its OEM partners. They have said this year they will not be focusing on marketing Windows Mobile (frankly, it's not ready,) but I imagine once Surface Phone is made reality, they will be pushing the phones again, but mostly to enterprise and Microsoft fanboys/girls.

Re: Microsoft to acquire LinkedIn for $26B

#417

Post by asadlionpk »

dorfsmay wrote: post #381
nailer wrote: post #294

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Well yeah, I think we're agreed. We might not use recruiters, but LinkedIn still helps us maintain business connections.

Which now are going to be part of some shadow profile inside Microsoft databases (à la Facebook).

I think my business connections data is the least of my concerns. It's mostly public anyway.

Re: Microsoft to acquire LinkedIn for $26B

#418

Post by notahacker »

nailer wrote: post #80
ivoras wrote: post #11

Oh, I can just imagine how the process went at MS: * Exec A: Social things are Good (coming to the conclusion about 10 years too late) * Exec B: Shall we create our own Google+? * Exec C: No, that didn't turn out that well for Google. Let's buy something existing. * Exec B: Ok, I've Googled a list of top 10 social networking sites for sale, and ordered them by list price, but really we'll need to come up with a strat…

I imagine it was more like: - Microsoft has the money - LinkedIn is the biggest thing in recruiting (I don't especially like it either, but it is). I wouldn't personally hire someone via recruiters or LinkedIn, but I would hire someone via a recomendation from a contact I maintain on LinkedIn. - Microsoft makes business tools - There's a bunch of interesting opportunities for intrgating Dynamics, Yammer, and other MS…

I presume "secular usage and technology trends" means "is its growth down to the fact it happens to be down to the market it plays showing strong growth trends even without hype and marketing spend associated with this particular company". Can only assume the secular trend he's thinking of there is growth in "business prospecting tools" which is the potential area for Microsoft to build revenue generating services that also integrate with their CRM and Office, and not the established and plateau-ing LinkedIn userbase, which is simply a potential strategic advantage for Microsoft products in that space.

Sure, Microsoft don't have a great record with their acquisitions, but the opportunity for them to generate more revenue directly and indirectly from this is huge.

Re: Microsoft to acquire LinkedIn for $26B

#419

Post by Nimitz14 »

etangent wrote: post #346
aleem wrote: post #305

Earlier quoted context omitted.

> To be honest, they're probably buying the users, not the product Couldn't agree more. LinkedIn has to be one of the most under-powered network out there. It's UX is still reminiscent of Orkut days. It's notifications and messaging system is the worst of breed. The network updates and posts on the "wall" are so bad that I stopped reading them years ago because it feels like spam. It prompts me every now and again to…

> It prompts me every now and again to congratulate people on job anniversaries--maybe people do that but it's a weak play when a company reaches to those depths. So what? Facebook prompts me to congratulate on people's birthdays, and Facebook is doing quite well.

Is that something you do every year? Congratulate your friends on their job anniversaries?
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