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In a hosted "informal" gathering for the press and analysts last week, some came away from it wondering if Google (GOOG) will have the resolve to compete head-on with Microsoft (MSFT).

While saying that she appreciated the friendliness shown by Google to the visitors, Elizabeth Montalbano asked herself the question of "...how long Google can pull off its summer-camp mentality"...and "as the company grows, can it keep up its free-spirited attitude for much longer?"

Earlier in the week at another event Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer through down the gauntlet by saying that he wants Microsoft to be number one in Online advertising no matter how long it takes.

The question is: Can Google keep up the schoolyard mentality while one of the most competitive companies in the world has declared war on it?

Montalbano gives another side of the story when she reveals these thoughts concerning Googles culture:
 
"It also made me wonder if U.S. citizens with 401K plans that offer Google stock know where their retirement investment is going. While the company continues at a fast clip to release products and services to drive its search-engine advertising revenue -- and is still making loads of cash -- the view from the ground on Google's campus seems more like kids throwing a party on a weekend when their parents have gone away. Should we really trust these people with our economic futures, or should we start storing away the canned goods now?

"Maybe instead of playing volleyball Google employees should try to fine-tune the company's Internet-based services so they're not always released in beta form. (To be fair, Brin suggested the company do a similar thing itself on press day.) Perhaps instead of giving employees Segway scooters and toilet-seat warmers just to make them comfortable and happy, Google should give them incentives for coming up with new ways to derive revenue in the long-term."

These are some excellent insights and questions any online company with employees needs to ask itself. In the case of Google being a public company, some of these are tough questions and insights that need to be answered. What about the endless release of things in beta form by Google? What about their responsibility to their shareholders and those relying on them being competitive on their behalf. You go public and you had different responsibilities than if you stay private.

If Google has gone too far in their loose culture, it won't be too many years before it is found out.