Talent acquisitions make me sad because they reduce diversity in the product place. I find it hard to believe that a company with 2,000 talented engineers will put out as much interesting stuff as 100 shops of 20 talented engineers.
Also, while I am not in startups, I thought the whole attraction for those who do them is the independence in doing your own thing. I find it hard to believe that this can be achieved after being subsumed in Google, Facebook, or other giant.
It cuts both ways. Google smothered Urchin and pissed off customers, but they brought GA to a much wider audience and integrated with the rest of Google system. Similar for Writely and Grand Central and many more I would bet.
It would be really wonderful if companies could use open standards and honest dealing, so that firms could interoperate effectively with out merging&acquiring.
Our tax system punishes that, though, so it is much more cost-effective to buy a small company than to buy their product and pay sales tax.
Also, while I am not in startups, I thought the whole attraction for those who do them is the independence in doing your own thing. I find it hard to believe that this can be achieved after being subsumed in Google, Facebook, or other giant.