Just in case you were holding your breath on the $44.6 billion acquisition proposal that Microsoft presented to Yahoo, you can now exhale at your own convenience. The Sunnyvale Internet giant is not in any rush to jump in bed with the Redmond company. Not even by a long shot. On January 31, 2008, Microsoft presented the unsolicited bid to the Yahoo Board of Directors, and the next day, on February 1, the company went public with the offer. The move was designed to apply just enough pressure on Yahoo's Board of Directors and on the shareholders to at least consider the offer. The Redmond company has been negociating an acquisition of Yahoo since the end of 2006.

In an internal email sent to employees, Yahoo Chief Executive Officer, Jerry Yang, has revealed that there still is no answer to Microsoft's $44.6 billion question. "No decisions have been made about Microsoft's proposal. Our board is thoughtfully evaluating a wide range of potential strategic alternatives in what is a complex and evolving landscape. and we've hired top advisors to assist through the process. What's become clear in the past few days is how much people care about this company. We've seen a strong show of support from our users, advertisers, and publishers, reminding us how much they love our products and services. And I've heard from many of you - and from other friends and colleagues from around Silicon Valley and across the globe - that we need to do what's best for Yahoo! and our shareholders. I promise you that the board is going to do that," Yang stated.

Microsoft has found itself incapable in dealing with Google, and the Mountain View-based search giant's growth on the search and online advertising markets. The Redmond company's only alternative when its own resources, innovation and services have failed is to buy an artificial growth by swallowing Yahoo. "The Microsoft interest highlights the tremendous strength of the Yahoo! brand and assets: our half billion users around the world, our leading products and services, our open ad network, our technology, and most of all, our amazingly talented people," Yang added.