Microsoft Fires Up Web Wars

But both Microsoft and Yahoo! have less choice about taking that risk each day given the growing dominance of Google, says Chervitz. And the actual difference between how the two companies operate may not be as striking as it was only a few years ago, during which time Yahoo! has eased its pace.

"The cultures are somewhat similar now since both companies move somewhat deliberately and slowly," he says. "The sad thing about this is that things on the Web actually move at a quicker pace than either Microsoft or Yahoo!."