Google Gallops Toward $600

This week, several of those bloggers scrapped the campaign and apologized as the firestorm continued. In December, the company caused a similar controversy when it tried to hand big-name bloggers expensive laptop computers loaded with its Vista operating system in what came to be regarded as an effort to offer bribes for positive coverage.

These events may seem like they are limited to the esoteric corners of the Internet. But because they demonstrate Microsoft's pitiful understanding of the online power brokers it's trying so desperately to impress, investors should take note.

It's looking more like Microsoft's online marketing plan may be representative of its haphazard overall online strategy.

All of which bodes well for potential Google investors who have frequently voiced concerns about the company's ballooning technology spending and the threats from competitors.

Both aspects, it seems, could actually be working in the company's favor.