Some thoughts on the $240 million investment deal in Facebook that Microsoft is reportedly making. They will get to load Facebook down with Adcenter ads or, perhaps, sell items via micropayment or — and this is probably the most obvious reason: blocking another web pooh point oh deal going to Google. This sentiment is shared by Piper Jaffray analyst Gene Munster.

How about sending virtual beer to your friends? You do know that this costs $real money$ on Facebook, right?

I’ll get back to virtual gifts in a moment.

Google still has the advantage, hence the score in the title (original title was changed before publishing), but this does give Microsoft a win. It puts them on the board. That’s an important difference in the cool crowds. If Facebook tanks, Microsoft can write off whatever they didn’t make back in an advertising deal. Google on the other hand could be locked out of one platform I’m sure they very much wanted to get into.

I’m speculating here, so please keep that in mind, but this also gives Microsoft a golden opportunity to spread their micropayment network. They could also build a new MMO version of the Xbox Live Dashboard to counter Sony HOME. Don’t laugh. I know Sony is in third place, but HOME + some good games could put the PS3 back on the map.

Some people enjoy buying virtual stuff via micropayments on Facebook (back to the virtual beer) and who has the network already setup to do that? Microsoft. Zune about to go social … thru Facebook? There are many, many possibilities here.

The good ship Google has sprung a few more leaks today.

• Facebook jumps the $750 million shark?
• 11 months for GOOG to reach $600, while Adcenter moves like molasses
• Google’s money looked better than Microsoft in DoubleClick bidding
• Today’s look through bionic Windows sees Microsoft spending $6b cash on aQuantive
• Burger ‘King’ to star in Xbox games for $3.99 + meal but should do Microsoft Points deal
• RealNetworks and MLB.com internet radio deal breaking off