Personal Finance QuickTake: AOL

While the Microsoft Battle rages on it seems like thinks are a bit quite on the AOL front. Give no doubt that Microsoft and Google will go tit for tat if needed.

My guess is that if it looks like Microsoft will get Yahoo, my gut is that someone makes a play on AOL. AOL has been a drain on TimeWarner's stock since the merger. They keep trying new business plan but don't have the traction.

However, they do have traffic. AOL is still the #45 web site in terms of reach according to alexa.com. But more importantly it has two thing Google wants; a great content brand name and a very popular email source. Imaging the Gmail/AOL market share...Nice!

If Google does go for it, perhaps NewsCorp will. They have done a wonderful job monetizing mySpace (regardless of what you feel about the looks). AOL would be a great content pick up and Murdoch doesn't want to be left out either.

So my guess is if TimeWarner was ever gonna sell this off, now is the time. Microsoft put a very high valuation out there for Yahoo, and if AOL can get 2/3 of that multiple they would be in great shape!

For all of our personal finance we might just get another shake up that often lead to more innovation and lower prices, which is great for all of us!

Personal Finance QuickTake: Facebook

60 Minutes just ran a really interesting piece on Mark Zuckerberg, the founder and Head of Facebook. What I really liked about the piece is how someone at 23 is changing an Internet model thought cast in stone a year ago.

Over 2 million people sign-up each week, and the main selling point for me is the ability to really custimize your pages with widgets that you can even develop and sell. Sure Beacon was a PR nightmare, but they seem to have a better handle on there clients want compared to mySpace.

I like seeing stories of companies that are just taking off as well. I remember reading about this small search company that was fighting an uphill battle against the jugernaught of Yahoo... you now know it as Google.

I lie business biographies and the "Pirates of Silicon Valley" is a favorite. It would have been great to see more of the early Microsoft and Apple days. Great lessons to be learned from all of these founders:

• Follow your dream
• Don't take no for an answer
• Work harder than all the others

Is Facebook really worth $15 Billion, I don't think so, but rest assured someone is going to buy them, and they will have to pay a King's Ransom.