Both parties to the merger seemed to be saying that there was a synergistic, even symbiotic, relationship between marketspace and marketplace. Analysts, on the other hand, weren't so sure. Most commentators seemed to agree that the symbiotic factor was real in general, even if not for this particular merger. And, if vertical integration is to be the watchword of cyberspace, then this is a marriage made in heaven. Those who have worried about the creation of virtual universities should find solace in the prospect of synergy emanating from the combination of place and space.
Most institutions still operate a separate and distinct entity for distance learning.
It is not a part of the place-based academic structure. One would have to question whether such institutions have succeeded in marrying place and space or are even interested in doing so. The merger of content and portal is another idea that would seem to hold a number of lessons for higher education. Much of what passes for distance education simply moves the lecture into cyberspace carrying with it all the deficiencies of lecture-based learning. As with AOL, these companies bring internet-based skills to a marriage.