Look out - here comes the Google affilate network
It’s a US only beta for the moment, but Google are officially getting into the affiliate business. See the AdWords blog post, and the FAQ hereThreadwatch, via SEL.
SEOClass - the new wave conference scene keeps growing
Another option in the sudden trend for small scale conferences providing training on search engine optimization has popped up - SEOClass. The line-up of core speakers is impressive too : Rae Hoffman, Todd Malicoat, Greg Niland and Michael Gray.
As I’ve noted before, finding trusted sources of quality information is hard. Whilst there’s loads of information out there, sorting the nuggets from the noise is hard work, especially for the newer members of the SEO community. When you get a chance to spend “quality time” with a well-known name, it can be like manna from heaven - good info, straight from the source.
Bernie Ebbers doing stir - the rise and fall of the modern CEO
The ex-Worldcom CEO is finally starting a 25 stretch, following the US Supreme Courts’ rejection of his appeal (hat-tip to el Reg). For an older gentleman like Mr Ebbers, this is effectively a life sentence. The odds that he will ever again set foot outside of a prison as a free man are slim.
Since he was convicted of one of the larger frauds ever (that have come to light, at least…), and the effects of that fraud have severely impacted the lives of thousands of families, my sympathy is somewhat limited, but it does raise some interesting questions about how large companies are run. Mr Ebbers was a founder of what became WorldCom, and rode the massive rise in tech / telecomms stocks over his tenure to become CEO of a vast commercial concern.