Microsoft/Yahoo! - should Google be afraid of the big bad bid?

Microsoft announced its much-rumoured bid for Yahoo! at the end of the last week, sparking a flurry of speculation as to what such a partnership would mean for the future of the web.

Is this Redmond's last ditch attempt to close the Google gap and will Yahoo! actually bow to the software giant's plea?

Here's a round up of all the latest silicon.com coverage concerning the $44.6bn bid…

Microsoft bids $44.6bn for Yahoo!
Set to shake up the online world?
Microsoft has tabled a $44.6bn bid for web giant Yahoo!...

Steve Ballmer's $44.6bn letter to Yahoo!
I love you...
Below is an unedited copy of the proposal letter sent by Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer to Yahoo!'s board of directors and CEO Jerry Yang…

Can Microsoft/Yahoo! deal take on Google?
A united front could be the best - or only - way forward
The potential Microsoft takeover of Yahoo! would help both companies fight Google in the online advertising and services market but it also faces some major challenges and obstacles…

Yahoo! bides its time with Microsoft bid
…and tries to play the field
Yahoo! has said its response to Microsoft's unsolicited $44.6bn takeover bid will not be immediate…

Yahoo! considers Google friendship offer
And the war of words begins
Yahoo! would consider a business alliance with Google as one way to rebuff a $44.6bn takeover proposal by Microsoft…

Yahoo! bid - Microsoft to borrow to fund it?
For the first time in its history…
Microsoft has said it may borrow money for the first time in its history to fund a portion of its $44.6bn unsolicited offer for Yahoo!...

Microsoft changes M&A strategy with Yahoo! bid
News analysis: Redmond is reacting to an "opportunity more than threat"
Microsoft's $44.6bn bid for web giant Yahoo! represents a step change in approach from a company which has traditionally shied away from big-money acquisitions…