There was a lot of recent discussion and news coverage of Barry Diller (IAC) making a comment that he wants to sell Ask.com. Then Microsoft came up as a potential buyer.
You all know what I think of Ask.com these days. I think Ask.com is not about search, their technology is falling apart and they try to monetize everything as best as they can. They tried to drive more life into Ask in the UK by bringing back Jeeves, soon later Jim Safka left for personal reason (but joined a new company shortly after). Yes, and they recently killed Ask Japan.
I believe since Diller ripped the soul from Ask.com, Ask.com would ultimately be a failure. And looking back, I am sad to say, my prediction (as well as others) seems to be dead on.
A WebmasterWorld thread has an interesting conversation around should/could Microsoft "save" Ask.com? Personally, I think, why bother? I personally think Diller should donate the engine back to Rutgers University and let the old team get back to innovating.
What do you think? Take my poll:
Forum discussion at WebmasterWorld.
