Internet News Internet Investing Internet Technology Windows Internet Tech. AltaVista is once again back in the limelight, only this time as Compaq's offspring seeking another way to bring its value to the surface. During that time, privately valued assets have always been at a discount to their public peers for several reasons. First is capital leverage, ability to grow and use stock as currency.
Talent wants stock options.
No talent very long. Basic Internet economics which AltaVista missed out on so far. Fast forward to today and AltaVista may go IPO or sell a part of itself in order to free itself from the shadow of the PC Goliath,untether some value in stock, and incentivize its crew with options. To its credit, AltaVista has produced a powerful search service, multi-lingual, and cleaned up the design in recent months to look more like a content hub. Infoseek is closest in our view to AltaVista in users and possible valuation.