Microsoft In Talks To Buy Claria 352
axonis writes "For the last two weeks, Microsoft has been in talks to buy Claria, an adware marketer formerly called Gator, and best known for its pop-up ads and software that tracks people visiting Web sites. The offer price on the table as recently as Wednesday was $500 million. One person briefed on the deal said there was opposition within Microsoft to the acquisition. Analysts said Microsoft would probably be most interested in the long-term potential of Claria's personalization software rather than its pop-up ads."
I thought that said CHINA! (Score:5, Funny)
It could, of course, be a good thing, if they can buy the company, and use their software for something other than spyware and popups!
Re:I thought that said CHINA! (Score:5, Funny)
Ob. joke (Score:3, Funny)
This is an entry in Bill Gates's diary:
Re:I thought that said CHINA! (Score:2)
Re:I thought that said CHINA! (Score:5, Funny)
Re:I thought that said CHINA! (Score:5, Interesting)
Re:I thought that said CHINA! (Score:5, Insightful)
Sends out the wrong sort of message when they buy them for $500 million though.
What better way? Sue 'em... (Score:3, Insightful)
The previous poster was right about making have these shitheads in the kernel. Microsoft would never pay $500 million to buy a company in order to get them to stop harassing people. It's most likely that Microsoft is buying this technology to constantly check if the individual copy of Windows on a PC is registered with them. I
Re:What better way? Sue 'em... (Score:4, Insightful)
while MS wouldn't pay that much to stop them from harassing people, they would pay that much to get the code to the software to make their anti-spyware solution the best. they would also pay that much to get the data that claria has collected in order to make their own web stuff better. think about all the browsing habits claria has collected from people (the average person, in fact). they could easily use that data to help push them ahead of google.
Re:I thought that said CHINA! (Score:3, Funny)
"We have established that much of Google's success is based on their corporate culture. The culture is based on their unofficial motto. We were unable to retrieve a full copy of the motto, but hopefully two thirds of it will be enough to get the point. I recommend basing all future business decisions on the idea that this motto puts forth.
The motto as we know it is "{smud
Re:I thought that said CHINA! (Score:3, Funny)
Re:I thought that said CHINA! (Score:2)
Microsoft AntiSpyware? (Score:3, Funny)
What to do with them? (Score:5, Funny)
Re:What to do with them? (Score:3, Interesting)
Re:What to do with them? (Score:3, Interesting)
Well, if you have enough deep pockets, that might be the way to get rid off spyware. buy their knowledge base and see how they do it.
Off course, this becomes the newest way to make money via a popup software. Get annoying enough so that Microsoft buys you.
I wonder which way this will effect the MS reputation?
Re:What to do with them? (Score:4, Interesting)
Keep in mind that I didn't read the article.
Re:What to do with them? (Score:5, Insightful)
Re:What to do with them? (Score:2)
Microsoft probably spent more than that on snacks and soda for it's developers last year!
Re:What to do with them? (Score:5, Funny)
Antispyware, and now this? (Score:5, Insightful)
Re:Antispyware, and now this? (Score:2)
Re:Antispyware, and now this? (Score:3, Interesting)
Crikey, nothing like jumping the gun on limited information.
If Microsoft bought Claria, killed the spyware division and used their personalisation tools to launch a Google Adwords competitor ... how exactly would that make the AntiSpyware's cred "take a dive"?
Re:Antispyware, and now this? (Score:3, Insightful)
Claria's already said that they are moving towards [strategiy.com] an Adwords-style advertising network, and this is what Microsoft wants. They are planning to b
This will eliminate SPYWare (Score:5, Funny)
Re:This will eliminate SPYWare (Score:5, Funny)
new: We know where you've been!
talk about a value-add for the OS!!! (Score:5, Funny)
NWO : "For only $29.99, we won't tell the wife/DEA/Homeland Security!"
Oh damn, forgot to click "Post Anonymously"...
Gator and HomeSec (Score:5, Informative)
> new: We know where you've been!
That's not (+5, Funny), it's (+5, Informative), you insensitive clod!
Gator CPO at the Department of Homeland Security [slashdot.org]
Art imitates Life. Life imitates Slashdot.
Re:This will eliminate SPYWare (Score:3, Funny)
"It looks like you are surfing for pr0n. Would you like help?"
Re:This will eliminate SPYWare (Score:3, Funny)
Re:This will eliminate SPYWare (Score:2, Funny)
Microsoft is no longer the Microsoft we all love (Score:5, Funny)
Re:Microsoft is no longer the Microsoft we all lov (Score:3, Funny)
Re:Microsoft is no longer the Microsoft we all lov (Score:5, Funny)
I think you misspelled "crap."
It's a common typo, they keys are like, right next to each other.
(with apologies to bash)
On the odd chance... (Score:5, Informative)
Linky [bash.org]
Encouragement (Score:5, Insightful)
Re:Encouragement (Score:4, Insightful)
Re:Encouragement (Score:4, Interesting)
a) a sense of humor
b) an understanding of what sarcasm is
c) any idea of what they're doing
Unfortunately we're stuck with the current system until the bad mods can somehow be weeded out. Meta moderating doesn't seem to be doing the trick
Wow... (Score:3, Interesting)
Re:Wow... (Score:4, Funny)
Comment removed (Score:5, Insightful)
Re:Wow... (Score:2)
Re:Wow... (Score:2)
Why does MSFT want that much data on their users? What purpose would it serve? Targeted ads? well considering the backlash againist advertising MSFT is late as usual. Do you need proof of said backlash? go back and watch the latest superbowl and how many less people watched the ads this year.
Re: (Score:3, Insightful)
Re:Wow... (Score:3, Funny)
That's a nice thing to think, but you'd also be "buying" the employees who came up with Gator and all that nifty "personalization" associated with it. Personally, I wouldn't want to work with somone that skanky.
on the bright side... (Score:5, Funny)
Re:on the bright side... (Score:2, Funny)
I felt a great disturbance in the force. . . (Score:5, Funny)
Bonzai Buddy (Score:5, Funny)
Re:Bonzai Buddy (Score:2)
Awful, truly awful. Both the product, and that I remember what it was called.
Re:Bonzai Buddy (Score:2)
Re:Bonzai Buddy (Score:3, Funny)
Re:Bonzai Buddy (Score:5, Funny)
Re:Bonzai Buddy (Score:2)
Re:Bonzai Buddy (Score:2)
Bad news (Score:4, Funny)
When they combine, they form a new terror, as vast as Microsoft yet as wicked as Claria -- and our weapons will be useless against it. It will destroy all of Meta-Tokyo, unless we can find the Magic Princess in time and give her the Moon Crystal and the Seven Essences! Your quest begins here...
(Press 'B' to continue)
In the related news... (Score:2, Funny)
Opposition from within Microsoft (Score:3, Insightful)
Would that be from the AntiSpyware group?
Well sure, since IE7 is supposed to block pop-ups (Score:5, Interesting)
Though, they should take at least a couple of the Gator people out back and wack 'em just on principle.
Microsoft re-establishes position in global market (Score:2)
Think about it: ever since SCO started playing silly bugger's a couple of years back, Microsoft's position as Slimeball #1 has been under seige. Combined with increasing pressure from other sectors of industry, Microsoft were facing serious problems of the lack of ethics front.
In that light, this is clearly a strategic move aimed at firmly re-establishing MS' position as the world leaders in sleazoid corporate tricks.
Of course, if they hadn't been blocked from merging w
Re:Microsoft re-establishes position in global mar (Score:3, Insightful)
You can see what's coming... (Score:3, Funny)
Makes sense to me... (Score:4, Funny)
MS=(I'll let you figure that one...)
Re:Makes sense to me... (Score:5, Funny)
Q: What is the difference between Microsoft and Claria?
A: One makes software that subverts control, slows operation to a near halt, and generally damages the way your computer functions. The other is just a spyware company.
so, let me get this right.... (Score:4, Funny)
I really want to see how the PR people market this.
Now I'll NEVER get rid of those stupid pop-ups.... (Score:2)
What's next - clippy popping up from MSIE - "It looks like you're trying to find airline tickets..." and having it redirect me to an MSN branded site???
-RickTheWizKid
Re:Now I'll NEVER get rid of those stupid pop-ups. (Score:2)
* Throw up annoying windows promoting competitors sites
* Redirect any domains that don't actually exist to MSN Search
* Tell Microsoft where you've been
* Suggest Microsoft products designed for totally unrelated tasks
* Insert banners bagging OSS and linking to bogus Microsoft funded studies
* All of the above
Microsoft Buys Evil From Satan (Score:2)
I wonder.... (Score:4, Insightful)
Let me give you a little history lesson (Score:5, Insightful)
Re:Let me give you a little history lesson (Score:3, Insightful)
Godwin's law (Score:2)
See Sedetenland (Score:2)
Is anyone else scared? (Score:5, Interesting)
First, the senior level executive from Gator goes to work for Homeland Security (head still spinning from that one).
And now, Microsoft is in talks to buy Claria?
I smell something fishy. Suddenly, the HSD will be buying all things Microsoft, in the name of anti-terrorism and patriotism.
Re:Is anyone else scared? (Score:5, Interesting)
Brilliance or stupidity? (Score:2)
Gotta be a story plant (Score:5, Insightful)
Claria is 'fruit of the poisoned tree'.
Typically, acquisitions like this are done because it's cheaper to buy target company A then it is to develop a solution internally, and any competent business manager should be taking into account the 'cost' of associating Microsoft with a company with Claria's history.
I would guess that the story is a plant, and that someone fell for it. Was the purpose of the plant to expose leakers? Or was it a well orchestrated prank? Either way, it seems contra-indicated for good business, and successful business is Microsoft's #1 product.
In other news... (Score:2)
Seriously, look for alternatives [hitmanpro.nl] to be on the safe side (English version out soon).
Re:In other news... (Score:2)
Tom
See that virginia? (Score:2)
I'd say... (Score:2)
If you can't fight them, buy them
The jokes write themselves (Score:2)
bah. (Score:2)
A useful public service from Microsoft! (Score:2)
If they did that, I might like Microsoft again... maybe...
Gator name change (Score:2, Insightful)
Could this spark a new spyware business model? (Score:2)
Someone could just start up a spyware company that annoys people enough that M$ would just buy them out.
1. Startup new Spyware company
2. Annoy users until Microsoft buys them out
3. Profit!
Perhaps we'll get lucky... (Score:2)
Well, it's a beautiful dream anyway.
Its Microsoft so its done for attack (Score:2)
The only thing I could find that might be it is Relevancyrank (patent pending) which might allow Microsoft to attack Google and Yahoo for personalised search (I haven't studied the patent application yet).
http://www.claria.com/relevancyrank/ [claria.com]
Renaming the product? (Score:2)
Battle Of The Popups (Score:2)
Seriously. Does Microsoft have so much cash sitting around they need to buy things? It doesn't even make sense. You would think they had an acquisition strategy, but instead it look
My God! (Score:2)
Another anti-trust trial on the horizon (Score:2)
"Minion! Get over here!" (Score:2, Funny)
"Yes, Master Gates! We scurry to obey our Lordship's fearsome wrath!"
"Minion, it's been more than a month since I found a way to make myself more evil and I'm completely out of ideas! I was wondering if your abject, toady self could come up with anything better."
"Errrr, Your Worship could turn his steely fist of retribution to the task of creating more Windows security holes, oh Instigator of Mandatory Overtime?"
"Bah, that's an automated process now! Try harder, you pathetic
Hiring Tactic (Score:3, Funny)
Next, they'll be buying SCO for its executives and legal team. These are the staff they need to fight open source.
(it's a joke people, don't take it seriously)
It kind of makes sense.... (Score:2)
Both sides of the pop-up problem (Score:3, Insightful)
Maybe they'll be able to develop a pop-over/under technology that CAN'T be blocked by browsers by controlling both sides.
The good news is... (Score:5, Funny)
Re:Interesting strategy... (Score:4, Funny)
I don't think Steve is smoking pot. It's something way stronger than that. Something top secret and isn't on the streets strong.
Re:$500 Million! (Score:5, Insightful)
Re:Another great innovation by MS ! (Score:2, Funny)