Where is Inktomi Going?

[rubble88]

More negative press.

A new article in TheDeal.Com [thedeal.com] about the company.

From the article:

Analysts said Inktomi's future could hinge on whether it continues to provide search technology for Microsoft Corp.'s MSN.com portal.

[edited by: Marcia at 9:10 pm (utc) on Oct. 14, 2002]
[edit reason] fixed link [/edit]

[rfgdxm1]

Obviously. Without MSN Inktomi is a dead duck.

[mayor]

Let's also start asking where is MSN going if Ink falters.

Will they jump on the Google bandwagen too?

Will they embrace a standby engine, like Fast or Teoma? Alta-Vista?

Will they prop up Ink, or gobble them up?

Will they just forget about providing "unbiased" second tier search?

[littleman]

In some ways WiseNut is shoe-in. Looksmart already has a MSN deal, and it is the only major SE to run on a MS operating system.

[rfgdxm1]

Wisenut is a not ready for prime time SE. I can't imagine MSN being that stupid. Ink still does a damn good job, and I think MSN would want to stay with them unless they totally collapse. I'd think Alltheweb or Teoma would be the replacement if Ink dies. IMO MSN needs to differentiate itself. Why use MSN if the same is on Google/Yahoo/AOL? The fact MSN is Google free is why I also use them.