links for 2008-01-03

"Search is poised to play a major role in the 2008 Presidential campaigns. Yet sites of major candidates [are] not a showcase of shrewd SEO tactics. Holes this big would sink normal sites. They aren't search-friendly and in some cases barely indexable".

"I can't think of a single news report about some bozo bursting into flames on United flight 82, 'cos his fucking battery blew up. So, why the hell now? People have been carrying this shit for years. I know...Because they can. Wankers!".

"People often mistake 'lightweight' to mean simple or quick. But this can’t be right, because everyone wants simple and quick, and if it really meant this no-one would use anything else". Exposition of enterprise level quick hack vs sustained developmen

"TV has become obsessed with counting single communal audiences. Newspapers gloatingly report a new show was watched by fewer people than expected. A show with a big iPlayer audience could be disadvantaged. Its unlikely papers will publish retractions".

"A rush to download music by those who received MP3 players for Xmas helped digital download sales hit an end-of-year record high. Almost 3m tracks were downloaded in the UK in the week between Christmas and the new year"

"Sales of single track downloads increased from 52.5m to 77.6m. Despite the 47.7% increase in tracks sales, fans are still reluctant to purchase legally an entire album from digital stores. CDs dominate with 95% of all album sales on physical formats".

"Still in beta form but Google powered so it's bound to be looking at ways to improve". Another round of work on Chipwrapper is *definitely* on the New Year 'to do' list...