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"In response to Microsoft's proposed acquisition, Yahoo has published a brief FAQ this evening that doesn\u2019t offer much in the way of details, other than letting us know it could be a while until they come to a decision:\n\nQ1. How is Yahoo! responding to Microsoft\u2019s proposal?\nThe Yahoo! Board is undertaking a deliberate review process. They\u2019re going to take time to thoroughly evaluate the proposal in the context of Yahoo!'s strategic plans. This will include evaluating all of the Company\u2019s strategic alternatives \u2013 including maintaining Yahoo! as an independent company. That process will take some time, but the Board will ultimately pursue the option that it believes can best maximize value for our shareholders.\nQ2. How long will the Board\u2019s review process take?\nA review process like this is fluid, and it can take quite a bit of time.\nQ3. Will the Board seek proposals from any other companies?\nThe Board is going to evaluate all of Yahoo!\u2019s strategic alternatives and pursue the option that it believes can best maximize value for our shareholders.\nQ4. What would a deal like this mean for Yahoo!\u2019s users, advertisers, publishers, partners and people?\nYahoo!\u2019s Board is going to evaluate all aspects of this proposal carefully and promptly in the context of the company's strategic plans and alternatives. So it wouldn't be appropriate to speculate about the potential benefits or challenges of a deal. But the review process that's underway won't have any impact on our efforts to deliver value to all of our users, advertisers, publishers and partners \u2013 as well as new and exciting opportunities to our employees.\n\nAdding to the complexities, Alley Insider reports that Yahoo may be in talks with private equity firms about arranging a bid that could beat what Microsoft is offering.  For those of you not familiar with the intricacies of private equity, it essentially means that an investment firm would take Yahoo \u201Cprivate\u201D with the goal of re-structuring the company in such a way that\u2019s more valuable when they bring it back to the public markets.  \nIs \u201Cgoing private\u201D a better option for Yahoo?  Maybe.  They would temporarily be relieved of the constant pressures of Wall Street analysts, and get oodles of cash to invest in the company.  Private equity firms are also notorious cost-cutters, so you would likely see job cuts that go well beyond the 1,000 employees Yahoo already plans to let go."^^<http://www.w3.org/2001/XMLSchema#string>
<http://mashable.com/2008/02/01/yahoo-responds-to-microsoft-offer/>