After losing out on some rather large profile deals to Google at AOL and MySpace, Microsoft announced a deal with Facebook.

Terms of the deal were not disclosed.  I bet they were sweet for Facebook.

I also would bet that we have reached a turning point in the search wars.

From a users perspective, Google, Yahoo, and MSN Search pretty much deliver similar search results.  At this point what matters is user lock in.  How does a search company achieve user lock in?  By either developing a massive online presence themselves or by doing distribution deals to become the default search provider.  Along those lines, I can not tell you the last time I went to www.google.com.  I just use that little search window in Camino.

And say all the bad things you want about Microsoft.  But they have at least two admirable qualities.  They hate to lose.  And they are persistent.

This is all starting to smell a little like 1997 to me.  I am not talking about a bubble.  I am talking Netscape making bold statements that the browser was going to become the operating system.  Microsoft getting they guns pointed in the right direction, and then Netscape being a bit too arrogant to get in and fight the war.  Where did Microsoft point those guns?  They bought distribution via ISPs and PC manufacturers.  Netscape went from 90% marketing share in 1996 to less then 1% today.

One of Microsoft’s core business is again being attacked.  This time it is Google making noises about attacking Office.  I expect Microsoft to respond by attacking Google’s core business.  Though not to Microsoft, Google is starting to lose a little market share.  I am not bashing Google, they just need to look out, the wicked witch of the northwest is sending an army of flying monkeys their way.

PS>  The title of this entry was inspired by a Bloc Party song called "This Modern Love" that I was jamming to as I was cruising down 400.  Here’s a live version.