Lately I’ve been wandering around the SEO/SEM landscape quite a bit. probably has something to do wth my reluctance to maintain a feed reader, and the demise of what was a fairly decent thread watching site. Anyway, last week I noted how ClickZ oops.. I mean SearchEngineWatch was pitching the message of TheAgency, specifically that you probably can’t make a good enough video so it might be best to hire someone who can. Today I checked in an sho’ nuff, TheAgency is at it again. This time, it’s “you’re probably not that creative, but it’s OK!”

Seriously… you’re not talented enough to be the next Will It Blend! Hah. Really. Tell that to the ICanHasCheezburger LOLCat-loving couple, mmmkay?

I love a good conspiracy, but I just don’t see one here. Several people have pointed to this series of events and said “wow” but no matter how hard I try, I can’t see any connection between DaveN getting banned from WebWhatevahWorld and a massive UK-based botnet attack taking down WebWhatevahWorld, just concidentally the same week that competing site (supported by DaveN) launched.

Last week: Sphinn.com launched. DaveN says it’s cool and he’ll be participating. Danny acknowledges it competes with WebMasterWorld.

Last Week: As reported this week by Tabke, WMW was attacked by a massive botnet out of the UK, where DaveN has an ISP.

This week: DaveN notes that it looks like Brett Tabke is cloaking back links to Google in advance of launching another competing SEO/SEM news site.

This week: Brett Tabke’s WebWhatevahWorld bans long-time member and moderator DaveN.

Okay so we have all this circumstantial evidence and the details all line up, and the personalities match the potential for a conspiracy theory, but really is it that strong? Does it really suggest that DaveN (former part-owner of ThreadWatch) had anything to do with a UK-based botnet attacking webmasterworld, which is launching a direct competitor to new site Sphinn after ThreadWatch was burned out back to eliminate any threat to the commercial joint ventures? Nah.

I have ten (10) promotional discount codes “johnon2″ for the Seattle Domainer’s Conference next month. Put that code “johnon2″ into the “promotional code” box when you register, and get $100 off the registration fee. This comes in from the conference organizers.

Two years ago Sedo gave away 3 free tickets (old news), the hotel discount expires Friday, Todd had 5 discounts available last week.

NOTE: If you use this code and sign up, send me an email with your SMS or cell number. I’m eager to buy a round for those who read my blog, but sadly I can’t cover 1200 drinks out of this month’s pocket money, so…. the registration page is here.

Q: Why the promotion of the Seattle Domain Conference at johnon.com?

A: It’s refreshingly simple. Unlike much of the incestuous SEO community these days, I don’t have a “partnership” or “strategic alliance” or “joint venture” with the organizers. I haven’t agreed to free registration in exchange for promotion. I haven’t been invited to “elite dinners” or private parties. At this time I’m not even speaking or sitting on any panels (although I’m liking the idea… I’ve got my eye on the agenda, and look forward to seeing Todd from SEMPdx. Go because you want to, and use the “johnon2” discount code to get $100 off because that’s $100 of beer money back in your pocket. Simple, right?

Update 08/2007: I’ll be speaking at the Domain Roundtable. The above predates my acceptance to speak, and I have no idea how many copuons (if any) remain, but go ahead and try the code. I fit doesn’t work, email me to tell me and I’ll ask for more.
Note to the DomainRountable webmaster: fix this dead link, dude. It’s a pretty good backlink, so 301 redirect it to the agenda. Classic front controller screw up… but easily fixed.