surely the worlds most hated company (after news corp)?

If AOL was bought out by MS then maybe MS would do something with that abomination that AOL developed as thier software. Having said that, MS would probably make it worse.

can you imagine future windows releases shipping with integrated AOL software? ...bloatware the likes of which have never been seen...

It's bad enough that crap comes bundled on most bought pc's already!

Microsoft + AOHell = MicroHell?

Ms would strip out the bits it wants and banish the AOL name forever.

They both produce shit software, give shit service and do all that with a smile on their face and their hands in your wallet.

Mine's the one with a Linux distro and independant ISP contract in the pocket.

AOL and Microsoft. Imagine that - if you're brave enough. Still, this might be good for Apple's desktop/notebook market share.

I remember when BT and Yahoo! went into partnership to deliver ADSL to the UK in about 2004/2005: that was, and still is, complete hell.

How about Microhol for all the Microholics out there?

This is just a third-grader move to try make Yahoo jealous.

More seriously, it is likely to cause the YHOO stock price to drop and put more heat on Jerry and make Yahoo more amenable to being bought.

If this happens, hopefully it will get rid of the arse-licking that Engadget (a tech blog owned by AOL) seem to have on Apple.

If AOL sells to Microsoft, then MS could have another try at that good old "MSN Network" sort of ISP thing they had going...

Also, if MS is really only after one part of Yahoo, why don't they offer cash for just that part? Wouldn't everyone be happy then?

"AOL bought Time Warner for $160bn at the height of the last bubble."

You left out the punchline, what's the value of the company now?

Defunct online service + dying print media + substandard cable = ???