Now that the Microsoft-Yahoo mating dance has officially come to an end, it seems like everyone has an opinion on the outcome. Given that Microsoft is one of our clients, I am going to forgo putting out yet one more analysis. Still, I do want to point out a hidden side of the story that may have gone unnoticed. Specifically, Yahoo has shown how to blog in the midst of a friendly corporate takeover. This was no easy feat.

It would have been more than easy for Yahoo to avoid any talk of the Microsoft offer on their corporate blog. However, they proceeded full steam ahead.

Blog editor Nicki Dugan provided several updates to her readership on all of the key shareholder developments, including their official initial response to the Microsoft proposal, the board's reaction and yesterday's withdrawal. These posts might not seem very substantive but they go a long way toward showing that Yahoo views the blog audience as important to this process.

The posts culminated today with an essay by CEO Jerry Yang on the entire 13-week adventure. Regardless on who you think won/lost, Yahoo consistently exhibited blogging gracefully under intense media scrutiny and their work will serve as a case study for years to come.