The Microsoft and Facebook thing

Micro$oft might be buying a smallish stake in Facebook, if you want to call $300 to $500 million a smallish stake! Already geeks are up in arms and have started a Facebook group called “If Facebook sells to Microsoft, we’re leaving”.

Now I dislike Microsoft as much as the next geek, but then again I don’t have not much love for Facebook either! I’d much rather use Orkut. The funny thing about this is that Facebook (ironically) is built using non-Microsoft technology (PHP) while Orkut on the other hand IS using ASP.NET.

The Facebook group gives this reason for aborting Facebook if Microsoft buys:

However, given Microsoft’s dismal record in protecting the privacy of users, most clearly demonstrated when Hotmail became an overloaded hotbed for spam and security breaches in which Microsoft itself was both negligent and complicit, you can bet that Facebook’s signon will be replaced with a Live ID (Passport Network) signon. Savvy internet users have long vowed never to use any service that requires a Microsoft Passport or Live ID, so here’s hoping Google beats Microsoft to the deal. At least Google hasn’t (yet) proven that we can’t trust it with our private data.

Thats all good and well, accept (and excuse my ignorance) what privacy? If you want privacy, stop using Social Networking sites! Baddies can only steal from Facebook what you gave to Facebook! Nah, not so sure that reason flies well with me. You should definitely NOT store sensitive data on ANY Social Networking site, let alone Microsoft sites. Its what they call S-I-L-L-Y. You should also not use Windoze, but people don’t listen…

That aside, although I do despise the whole Windoze LiveID thing, security is not the main reason why I’d leave Facebook. I took a particular dislike in Microsoft and SCO’s efforts in beating down on Linux. It left more than a bad taste in my mouth and was terribly lame bullying tactics from two mean giants. At least SCO is getting whats been coming to them and are being de-listed from NASDAQ on the 27th of September. Thats what you get for trying to screw someone for a buck! Karma, baby!

The thing is though that Microsoft will only have a smallish stake in Facebook which is 5%. I doubt they will be able to call the shots and force their LiveID onto the Facebook community. That being said, I’m sure there will be no lack of trying! It is valuable to have all those numbers using your technology!

One Comment to "The Microsoft and Facebook thing"

• facebook » The Microsoft and Facebook thing said: On 10/09/2007 at 6:08 pm

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Filed in: Business, Social Web, Web 2.0 by: Stii