Cory Watilo

A couple days ago, it was discovered that Posterous modifies links that users place on Posterous blogs and adds an affiliate code when the user doesn't provide one. For example, if I link to a product on an e-commerce site and the website I'm linking to has an affiliate program, Posterous will drop in their affiliate code so if you end up purchasing that product, Posterous will take the affiliate cut for the referral. Then TechCrunch picked up the story and the internet has been up in arms ever since.

• Adding links to your posts
• Overwriting an affiliate link that you might add (if you have an affiliate link in a post, Posterous doesn't touch it)
• Endorsing a product or service that you're linking to, or speaking on your behalf

Here's what Posterous IS doing:

• If you link to a site where an affiliate program is in use, and if you didn't add your own affiliate code, Posterous will add one and take the cut if a purchase is made.

The only potential problem here is for journalists who are reviewing products or services. The thinking is that, if there is an affiliate link attached, someone is making money if a conversion is made. And that's the moral issue being debated. But since the author of the post isn't making any money off the link, it really doesn't matter.

"Will Posterous be disclosing how much it made from its experiment with Viglink? Where will this money be directed towards? We believe the money Posterous made with Viglink, up until the time it officially notified its users of Viglink, should be donated to charitable organizations voted upon by its users."

Umm.....WHY? This might just be the dumbest thing I've ever heard. Contrary to what you believe (and what the government may have told you), Electronic Foodie, nobody (even Posterous) owes you anything. Sure, it may have been nice to know about this change, but I'm not shareholder and neither are you, so if Posterous wants to keep this info on the DL for whatever reason, they have the right to do so.

So what do I think? Posterous is a free service, has to make money somehow, and is trying to come up with ways to monetize that DON'T involve sucky banner ads. Good on them for being creative. And kudos to VigLink and other companies who are thinking outside the box to help monetize the web in unobtrusive ways. Hello, web 3.0.

Of course, it may have something to do with the fact that the remote mysteriously stopped working...

This Lincoln Navigator fits right in with other terrible car mods like the BMW 5 with a massive roof rack, the Nissan that should be sent to the junkyard, and the taxi I would never step foot in.

To get your bearings, you can see how little space Facebook takes up. Amazing. I think I might even like this better than my 27" iMac!

I don't want to start a political war here - just want to share this little bit:

Several weeks ago, I didn't know what love was. I had seen her, heard about her, done some internet stalking on her, but never actually met her. Then when we came face to face that glorious Saturday around 11:00 AM in a Best Buy, I knew it was love. Never did I think it was possible to fall in love like this. Now I know just how deeply I can love. Ever since that Saturday, I have only found myself more in love than the day before. Every day I wake up, open my eyes, and see her lying next to me in my bed, fully charged and ready for another great day together. I spend hours touching her before I even put my feet on the floor. What's the point of even getting out of bed anymore when you have her? Yes, she has completely eliminated the need for real women. It's true. That's how much I love my iPad.

From an email chain (no, I don't normally read them). But it's too good to not pass on.