[kareemm]

Agreed. Step 1 is figure out what you want. If you do want to be acquired, do two things:

1- talk to as many smart people you trust who've been in similar situations. ask one or two if you can rely on them as sounding boards as you go through this process.

2- find a lawyer you trust. remember his job is risk mitigation and to protect you from the downside. he's an advisor, not a referee, so take his advice for what it is.

3- enjoy the process - you're gonna learn a lot and life is a marathon, not a sprint.