Like Fazal noted, you seem to think Y! Shopping is an "organic result". I know AOL users can't tell the difference between sponsored results and natural results, but didn't realize management can't, either.

And it's also true that result display is situational - you're going to get a different experience for "iraq" than "ipod" - so the question becomes is the engine putting the most relevant links high on the page. When you searched for "ipod", you probably wanted the Apple site, right? That's the first sponsored result, and Apple sees value in buying the term. Google is smart enough to know "this is a commercial search" and places sponsored results up above because the marketplace has determined there's value there - likely for the user as well.

The real problem with AOL search is layout and clutter. For that iPod search, AOL users are given TEN different types of links to click on, with a confusing multi-column UI.

Google does a great job of understanding what the user likely wants and manages to display only those relevant things while keeping the UI clean.

Hey Mark: Another excellent exploration and explanation of your world. How freaking great would it be if everybody in your position would take the time to really detail what happens in situations like this? These journalists believe they can get away with slanting the truth because they'll never get called on it. Except when you write about the NBA (sorry, dude, I couldn't care less - but don't take that personal), your stuff is some of the best blog writing out there.

What the hell kind of comment (grammar aside) is "Come this fall there is going to be a number of devices that get close to competing with Apple's iPod."? "get close to competing with ..." is not exactly the kind of expectation you'd think MSFT would want to set. I wonder if this guy got clearance for that comment. In other news, Microsoft says that XBox 360 will damn near almost be as good as the PS3 and that Vista may eventually be close to matching Tiger.

Yeah, really struggling to see a point here. Those little mini-sized boxes being sold as hard drive enclosures or Firewire/USB port multipliers serve a purpose, but as far as I can tell this is just a big metal platform for the mini to sit on. Agreed it's more useful as a trash can.

The problem I have with TiVo ads is the same I have with the ads in NCAA Football (2005 and 2006) on PS2. I don't mind if the company (in this case, EA) wants to squeeze a little extra dough by pimping Old Spice (seriously) in the game, but the game costs the same now as when they weren't getting money from ads. How about letting a brother share in the booty? I guess maybe, perhaps, could be the cost of developing the game, licensing the college logos etc. keeps going up, which means the game might cost more year over year (amazing how every game still pretty much costs $50, isn't it) if not for the ad revenue, but I just feel a little sold out after I make that extra point and the recap the drive with an Old Spice tag.

Isn't it fair to argue that the industry's lack of a sensible and effective approach to selling music in the digital age is a reflection of the fact that - although they complain about piracy, dropped sales, etc. - the industry is still making a mint? I think what's happening is that they are trying to ward off a significant intrusion into their business model while poking around the fringes of new sales channels, but overall the industry hasn't changed much because it doesn't really need to. Yet.

If anybody really wants to see what a difference HD can make, take in an Atlanta Braves game at Turner Field. The world's largest HDTV (71 x 79 FEET) showing replays and live action all in HD. You see individual beads of sweat; threads on jerseys, etc. I'm sure Mitsubishi has moved a fair amount of home HDs because of it.