Microsoft was making a $44.6 billion bid to buy Yahoo

The word "monopoly" came up repeatedly in e-mails from people concerned that Microsoft would stifle competition in the Internet search field.

Other readers said that Microsoft and Yahoo were a perfect fit and the deal would be good for consumers.

Shaun Carney said the deal would even help arch-rival Google.

"I think the increased competition this merger brings will force Google to stay on top of its game by offering more innovative Internet tools and expanding on the tools it already offers"

Courtesy CNN.

Here are a sampling of responses from CNN users:

Michael Grosser of Estero, Florida
Right now, Yahoo offers a lot of features and tools at no cost for all different levels of Internet users. They even offer source code for developers for free. Microsoft seeks nothing but profit. Undoubtedly, they'll do nothing other than find ways to start gouging for Yahoo's formerly non-priced features. Microsoft's corporate greed will ruin the great thing that Yahoo currently is.

Antonio Simmons of Parkville, Maryland
Microsoft purchasing Yahoo would be nothing more than an attempt from Microsoft to further impose upon the masses their shoddy software and obtain more wealth for the company. In my honest opinion, they will never be able to compete with Google because Yahoo and Microsoft's current search engine are too inferior to compete. Even if combined, they still lack. Microsoft needs to accept its place as a OS maker "Even though they still lag at that as well" and Yahoo needs to keep its place as a good e-mail provider.

Shaun Carney of Laurelville, Ohio
I think the merger will provide more competition for Google. I don't think the merger will allow Microsoft to outpace Google, though. Google has a tremendous foothold on its market -- I think the increased competition this merger brings will force Google to stay on top of its game by offering more innovative Internet tools and expanding on the tools it already offers.