Guess Who’s Visiting Silicon Valley?

Strangely, most of the major sites haven’t commented on the fact that a certain bald-headed man is not in his usual stomping grounds, but instead in Silicon Valley, the home of a certain search provider.

Yes, Mr. Ballmer has gone-a-visiting. Imagine that. I thought it might have been a response to the layoffs at Microsoft, and his knowing that it might be best if he kept a low profile for the next few days. (despite the spin that Microsoft puts on his, the fact remains that if they were the caring company that they wish to portray, the people would be internally repurposed, instead of laid off.  Also, Mary-Jo states that a late message has Microsoft stating there will be 2000 to 3000 new-hires between now and the middle of 2010. Hmmm ).

The article in Tech Crunch gives the reason for Mr. Ballmer’s trip as a speaking engagement there on Wednesday night. Seriously, who, other than Yahoo employees, in fear for their employment, really want to hear anything this man has to say. It’s not as if he is a ‘thinker’. The man is about ink, black and red, and the amount of money that he is making himself and his company – nothing more. He has shown this repeatedly.

from Tech Crunch

Our direct sources are telling us that discussions are progressing, as they have been for some time, but that major deal terms still need to be worked out. One source said not to expect a deal in the next few weeks.

Ever since Google was forced to bail on their own Yahoo search deal, some sort of alliance with Microsoft was inevitable. Well, inevitable just as soon as Yahoo got their CEO situation under control.

what do you have to say, Steve?

Although many sources state this is something ‘inevitable’ we have seen other things, recently, that were inevitable, and suddenly they were ‘evitable’. Can anyone remember the job that the current Secretary of State was going after, just a little over a year ago?

No one wishes to delineate why the Microsoft takeover partnering with Yahoo is inevitable. Is it only because of the much publicized speaking of Mr. Ballmer? What about the other big players? Certainly there are other companies, that could benefit from a partnership, and leave the internal workings of Yahoo intact.

It would be great to read about the entire time that Mr. Ballmer spent in Silicon Valley, after the trip is over, other than the already known facts of his weekend arrival and Wednesday speaking engagement.

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aren’t we all beta testers?