The search world appears to have renewed its interest in Microsoft’s potential in the search industry since the company reportedly put in an offer to acquire Norwegian search company Fast Search for 1.23 billion.

So why all the hullaballoo? Well, Microsoft’s Live Search has some good technology behind it but it has not exactly impressed those that want highly relevant search. The acquisition of FAST search technology, however, would provide Microsoft with an infusion of established processes light years more developed than its own.