Commonsense (and the facts) say that if your company is listed on the first page of Google, when one "searches" for info on "Widgets" you have a far better chance of being successful in the Widget business than if you're on the second page, and there more than on the third "Widget" page, after which it probably doesn't matter at all. While no one knows all the details (though they should, for this as much a public service now as it is a business), the overwhelming concensus is that Google ranks a website by counting the number of other websites that link to it. There are some other factors, but this is the primary one. If site A is linked to by 50 other sites it will be lower on the list than site B, with 200 other websites linking to it. The rationale is that this is some sort of a "democracy" - popular sites rise higher up the list. The Robot searches around and makes these identifications (so I write small, and maybe "he" won't see that an ironic statement prefaces the very odd list of links to follow). But heck, as they say, everyone's doin' it. Almost all lists are strange objects.
Now of course this Robot's logic is just that, the 'thinking' of a Robot.. Why would a company that sells a "widget" offer links to other companies that sell widgets too? The answer is clear: "I'll link to your site if you link back to mine, and then I'll have more links and will get a better spot in the Google list. Of course you'll have another link too, the one from me, and that'll increase your position. Presumably we'll help each other out so much that we'll end up becoming bitter enemies as we both struggle to find the last links to stay ahead of each other.
Well I've decided to examine this perfectly insane and perfectly unethical business domain. I find it all quite remarkable, with hundreds of companies srpinging up to help increase your ranking in a given category, and a huge number of lists of lists, of directories, mini-search engines within the main one, most of these developed by the advertisers themselves for listing their own sites. It's a complex,very unappealing, and downright corrupt little universe. But "we're" all here. I'll write about these practices because they're not well documented. Maybe an investigation can contribute toward building a better business/service model. It might start by charging more to be on page one, like newspapers do, to give one example among many possile others that are better for consumers and advertisers (while Google might lose out in the end) The list of links to follow is designed to experiment with, test, and perhaps help expose this ultimately untenable, suspicious and dishonest structure. At the very heart of our new economy.
Those numbered links at the beginning are to websites that might actually be pertinent and helpful for students of my course. I'll periodically add to this list without regard, at all, to whether these sites link back to me or not. The long list of links that then follows is offered for absolutely no other reason than to study the effect it will have on my ranking on Google, to study this crazy little world I'll have to live in for a while. All I know of these sights is that they have links and agree to "reciprocal" linking. I really haven't the slightest notion if any website on this list has any value. I do know that a great many of them, especially those offering quick piano prowess, are just contemporary versions of the millions of mostly worthless "easy play" methods that have flooded this market for a ceutury, leaving very few pianists in their wake. I suggest you spend your time practicing my course instead of clicking around. I'll let you know what I discover in this bizarre experiment. And, by the way, if you have a website and write a link to mine, I'll reciprocate with one to you. It'll go on the "A" list. Just send an email. (And write in small letters so Bot doesn't butt in).
Non Piano Lesson Links Nothing valuable here, just people that are willing to link to us
Link Exchange Links - New links from another link trader
Link Metro Links - Llinks from another link trader
1 - The Ultimate Jazz Fake Book - The tunes used in followup materials in the Sudnow Method.
2 - The Piano Book - The really good book on the nature of the piano, and on current and past models.
3 - Jamey Abersold - The most reliable source of quality resources for jazz players.
4 - Len Lyons - He wrote the best book on jazz, and the most useful.
5 - Hindemith - Elementary Training for Musicians, by German composer Hindemith, is the most serious basic theory book you can buy.
6 - Gary Giddens - The best writer on jazz. His book on Charlie Parker is extrarodinary
7 - Sweetwater Music - The largest and more reliable source of synthesizers and keyboards.
8 - Art Tatum - A good interview with Tatum on NPR
www.amadeuspianos.com - We offer a Complete Line of Piano Services for the greater New York, New Jersey, & Connecticut Tri-State Areas including: tuning, repair, rebuilding, refinishing, buying, selling, renting, & moving all types of acoustic pianos.
CashMoneyMedusa.com- THE ULTIMATE MULTIMEDIA RESOURCE!
www.playpiano.com - A piano course
www.hearandplay.com - Learn to play the Piano by Ear with over 60 Free Piano Lessons
www.apassion4jazz.net - A place for music history and education.
www.FreeStuffPage.com - Free Samples, Prizes, Rewards and More!
www.lessons4you.com - Lessons 4 You - Online Piano Lessons, Historical Trivia, Find a Tutor or Music Instructor, Teaching Materials, Family Fun Ideas, Children's Art, Historical Articles for Research, Horizon's Above Award, Chat, Ask a Teacher, and Tutors/Teachers Showcase Services.
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www.keyboardchords.com - A directory of musical resources.
www.indie-musicnetwork.com - A Resource for creating and selling music from the comfort of your home.
www.loopwise.com - An online music community.
www.sawlady.com - Musical saw, pitched cowbells, English handbells, 4-in-hand hand bells, flexatone, etc. Everything you want to know about these unusual instruments. Sound clips, composers manual, busker's memoirs, CDs, poetry, etc..
www.soundfeelings.com - We are music, health and education audio and book publishers.
www.opiano.com - All about antique pianos.
www.allkeyboard.com - A Valuable Keyboard Website and Information Resource.
www.gospelcity.com - GospelCity.com is the number one gateway to Gospel Music and Lifestyle. Come experience the City today and Entertain Your Belief.
www.TeachList.com - Large international database of music teachers. For all instruments, locations, ages, styles and skill levels.
www.music-sites-directory.com - Find music related web sites in our searchable directory.
www.opiano.com - Lots on antique pianos and much more.
www.allpianos.com - A Valuable Piano Directory and Information Resource.
www.lookdirectory.com - Comprehensive Human-Edited Directory
www.sawlady.com - Musical saw, pitched cowbells, English handbells, 4-in-hand hand bells, flexatone, etc. Everything you want to know about these unusual instruments. Sound clips, composers manual, busker's memoirs, CDs, poetry, etc.
.www.cashunclaimed.com - It is estimated that 9 out of 10 people are owed unclaimed government money and don't even know it! Find out how much you're owed with our free trial search.
Zepti - web search engine