Poll: Post-Yahoo, what should Microsoft do?

Now that the Microsoft-Yahoo deal is tabled, what is Microsoft's next move?

Many are assuming Microsoft is waiting for Yahoo's stock to tank in order to sweep in and make another pass at Yahoo. Others are counting on Microsoft buying another Web 2.0 powerhouse in Yahoo's stead -- a MySpace, FaceBook or an AOL. (Update: Computerworld has a good round-up of what it considers the three most likely Microsoft buys, post-Yahoo -- AOL, LinkedIn and ValueLink.)

But those might not be Microsoft's only options. Here are some others:

[Poll=21]

Any other write-in ideas?

Meanwhile, on the management front, some are calling for Ballmer's resigntion over the failed deal.

Think this through: If Ballmer were to resign, who'd take over Microsoft? Microsoft Chairman Bill Gates will no longer be handling day-to-day responsibilities at the company, as of July 1. Would Microsoft be better off with both Gates and Ballmer out of the management picture?

As I noted last week, I don't see anyone inside Microsoft who is anywhere near capable of running the company. And who would from the outside would be willing and able to take on the task of running the Empire?

[Poll=22]

Other possible Microsoft CEOs waiting in the wings?

(Former Microsoft Live Search exec Erik Selberg has additional details on other search vendors Microsoft could buy or invest in.For more on why Microsoft should stick to its software knitting, see Seattle Post-Intelligencer Todd Bishop's interview with MIT Management professor Michael Cusumano. And for more on how/why Microsoft should take a short-term advertising loss in the hopes of denting Google and Yahoo, see poster No-Ax-to-Grind's comments.)