In addition to today's Internet Marketing Monitor coverage, we felt these stories were worth pulling out of the multitude of news items for March 23, 2007:  

Borders Turns the Page, Dumps Amazon  [MarketingVOX]

Back in December we wrote about the fact that Borders was considering dropping Amazon.com as it's supplier, processor, and shipper of merchandise for Borders.com.  At the time we asked:  "Are they crazy?"  I guess the answer is 'yes'… they are crazy.  I wish them the best of luck.  And they'll need it…

Google Tests a New Design for the Homepage  [Google Operating System]

As far as I can tell, this was a one-time sighting.  But it's interesting, nonetheless.  It puts a lot more of Google's services smack-dab on the front page. They've been trying different ways to get more stuff on that homepage for months - usually in the form of a big, honkin' banner or advertisement.  This approach is much more subtle and, to be honest, I really like it.

First Screen Shots Of Google Pay Per Action in Action  [Search Engine Roundtable]

Not much to add to this, I guess.  Give it a look.  SERoundtable does a good job of pointing out the new stuff.

Hello Kitty  [Valleywag]

I understand their purpose.  But I hate captchas.  Half the time I can't tell if the letter is lowercase or uppercase.  And the other half of the time I type the darn thing in right but it doesn't register.  Microsoft has apparently developed a new kind of captcha that uses - get this - photos of cats and dogs.  The system, which is free of charge to website owners, presents a random sampling of mixed dog and cat photos and asks users to click on all of the images that show cats (or, I assume, all the images that show dogs).  While not exactly the most accessible system for those with vision impairment, you no longer have to watch CSI to learn how to decipher the cryptic letter/number captchas.

  KML and GeoRSS Support Added to the Google Maps API  [Google Maps API Blog]

In addition to the existing KML support, Google has added GeoRSS support to its mapping services.  GeoRSS is another way to add external content to existing Google maps.  To make the use of both KML and GeoRSS as easy as possible, Google has also added support for both formats to the Maps API.  Essentially, that means KML and GeoRSS sources can be easily called from a function within your existing Map code.  The blog announcement includes an example GeoRSS+KML'd map.

Where is Microsoft Search?  [BusinessWeek]

BusinessWeek is offering up a pretty scathing review of Microsoft's online efforts to date.  It's hard to argue against some of the points in the article, though.  Even though MSN is one of the more frequently visited online properties, Redmond really hasn't done much noteworthy online.  The danger in that, BusinessWeek argues, is that as the desktop and the Internet continue to merge, Windows and Office - Microsoft's cashcow businesses - are going to suffer.  I think BW is dead on with that analysis, too.  I have faith in Microsoft's ability to deliver a good product (and that's saying a lot coming from a Mac guy).  But I have yet to see any real progress with the MSN/Live/Microsoft Online product lines.

Was it just me or was today a pretty uneventful Friday?  Oh well… sometimes those are the best kind!  From the Internet Marketing Monitor to you… have a great weekend!

See you on Monday!