pvdm - 6:30 pm on Mar 21, 2004 (gmt 0)

This is a positive evolution, beneficial to the whole search industry.

Microsoft's long term determination, financial and human resources, and strategy to dominate, or at least play a leader role in a certain industry, will put pressure on all competitors like Google and Yahoo to improve quality and investments.

I personally don't like any dominant player in any market, but three to five powerful players fiercely fighting for market domination can bring more benefits than a very fragmented market with lots of small competitors.

The timing is also right. Microsoft and Yahoo will keep putting pressure on Google even after it's IPO. I just hope those guys won't make cartel agreements too soon.

The search industry is really infant, the best has yet to come...