A poster at Yahoo writes:Can anyone give an honest opinion as to...

A poster at Yahoo writes:

Can anyone give an honest opinion as to the possibility that MSFT may acquire LOOKSMART as per the attached news especially when we know that LOOK shares (in my opinion)won't be any worse and the REVENUE (if not a surprise), it will be flat.

http://www.harvestdigitalnews.com/archives/msn_dumps_looksmart_eyes_google.html

I then answered:

Obeidat18 .... I'm not sure if you ....
by: lookingmoreconfident (M/Brisbane Qld Australia)
Long-Term Sentiment: Strong Buy 07/17/05 07:18 am
Msg: 143082 of 143082

.... understand the recent & continuing changes that are/have taking/taken place, that concern a direct Looksmart role. Changes that show a Looksmart involvement that will help go a long way to supporting that David Hills expressed confidence, stated below.

You did recently post:

" ..... we are on the right track to secure a prominent place for LookSmart in the fast growing search and online advertising market," stated Chief Executive Officer David Hills.

"The steps we have taken over the past few months have led to greater operational transparency in our business, a demonstrated ability to produce an owned audience leveraging both existing and new products and substantially enhanced services for the advertisers and partners in our paid listings business".

http://messages.yahoo.com/bbs?action=m&board=22689351&tid=look&mid=143012&sid=22 689351

If you can learn to understand that the loss of over 21% in circulation for newspapers & magazines, (along with a now estimated $14 - $15 Billion will be the 2005 ADS 'spend' for search), is surely good enough reason for 'print media' Publishers to 'fight back', for their massive LOST share, of this ADS 'pie'.

When you accept that, now go brush up on the MANY moves these Publishing 'stalwarts' have already made and then look further for a possible Looksmart involvement, with them. You may be surprised, just how far they have come, in such a short time.

Forget about a 'buyout' at these levels. Concentrate on LOOK's "Calling all publishers" message and listen to the two most recent CC's, for some answers and more clues. David Hills has made it clear that LOOK's latest, 'complete' box of tricks (TOOLS) is not only being made available for Publishers to 'take up', but that they (Publishers) have already done so. Direct (Licensing) Revenues and a growing ADS revenue (primarily through an increased 'targeted' type, Listings probability) and the Contextualisation of the (over) 10 Million Articles within the FindArticles base by the (Publisher) 'ownership' of those articles, will now prove LOOK's success in the future.

LOOK are now (indirectly) in 'strong' competition, with those very Major Portals, that you have mentioned. Their, Looksmart's (Publisher) partners will certainly have the required resourses, to ensure success of their (many) 'counter-attack' initiatives. The success of LOOK's Verticals will be assured, in due course. The market will find out shortly, I imagine.

Good Luck !!

:)
LC