Microsoft and Yahoo almost got married last year. Called off at the altar. They’re back together but this time it’s an open relationship…for 10 years.

Some quick thoughts, on the deal’s impact on the search landscape (business deal notwithstanding):

1. The deal validates Bing. If Bing wasn’t successful and wasn’t retaining users, this deal wouldn’t have happened. As it stands, Microsoft will retain 12% of all search related revenue.

2. It accelerates Bing’s shot at critical mass. If you think you haven’t used “Yahoo” in years, you’re most likely mistaken - the list of Yahoo properties envelops a commanding reach (flickr, del.icio.us, finance, autos, news, music, answers…)

3. Yahoo’s sales staff is experienced and can undoubtedly monetize premium ’search advertising’ dollars better than Microsoft can — Google reportedly makes 75% of all search ad $’s, despite only having 66% of the search market share.

The collaboration is still fraught with risk, and has a lot of hoops to jump through to be successful - but it does give both companies a shot to swing for the home-run (fence emblazoned with the Google logo, of course).

Real Choice. Better Value. More Innovation. Still Conveyed with Cheesy stock images.

Seth Godin touches upon the importance of what you convey online, by way of how you write.

Poor (/lazy) spelling and grammar is especially annoying when the writer is trying to speak authoritatively or in an impassioned form. Two of my personal faves:

rediculous

and

definately.

(Check out www.d-e-f-i-n-i-t-e-l-y.com)

Remember the pencil? Immortalizing that vital kindergarten writing implement and harnessing the raw, Laurie Lipton:

What men think about. apparently:

(Source: uncredited)

Angry aussie provides a handy flowchart on whether or not your website needs a flash intro?

(In the wise words of Homer Jay Simpson: “It’s soooo true”)

Depending on the program, sadly this might be more accurate than parodied:

Now that the credit crunch crisis is upon them and repayment in many cases is a pipe dream, the banks decide its time to speak out on financial responsibility.

“Don’t be That Guy” - a campaign by Fifth Third Bank preaches to college-bound kids to spend what they can afford. Story here.

After years of preying on the over-reaching consumer, the message is more than welcome.

(The motives remain dubious though).

40 second video of a year passing by. Simple, yet thought provoking when it comes to introspection and the passage of time.

Sarajea’s inventive Flickr set is reminiscent of Jessica Hagy (check out thisisindexed.com if you need a mathematical chuckle) but combines some imaginative imagery with her commentary. I give you, the toe graph:

Sarajea’s entire flickr set, aptly entitled Doodles.