Clark - 6:24 pm on Sep 20, 2005 (gmt 0)

Google paying per user. Excellent. Another hit for I.E. Another site putting google default search up. Potentially set up for Google to buy Opera.

In fact, Opera has a hidden ace in the hole. Put yourself in the shoes of Management of MS, Google and Yahoo right now. Not to mention any cash rich wannabes.

There are 3 browsers in play. FF...but it's free forever. Opera. Internet Explorer. Google is most likely building another one. They have a lock on the FF developers. What move do you make in each player's shoes?

If I'm Google, buy Opera now. Even to make sure Yahoo doesn't. Nor a third party. The technology and developers to build a kick ass replacement for MS.

If I'm Yahoo! But Opera NOW. Gives me an in overnight into the market.

If I'm MS, buy Opera NOW. Just so Google and Yahoo! don't.

If I'm a big money wannabe. Buy Opera.

The market price for Opera should be sky high right now. They should be able to sell for much greater than their value may appear to be worth on the market.

Opera going Open Source? Not likely. And not a smart move.

This is going to be fun.