This is actually a post I did in October of 2006, but it is a useful tool that many of us often forget to use or don’t know exists.

While catching up on some good blogging info at MomGadget, I came across a post by Katelyn. It was about Wayback Machine and checking domains for skeletons in their closets.

The Wayback Machine is actually a very cool tool. You enter a domain name and you can go back through its archives and see what the site looked like in 1996, 1997, and every year thereafter. Archive.org also has tools for finding old music, videos and other media too.

Katelyn was lamenting her difficulty in getting a certain site of hers indexed on Google. She did everything right, from what she could tell, but still no success. She checked her site on Wayback Machine and suddenly it all made sense! The entity that had the domain before her was in a totally different market from her and let’s just say, the content wasn’t rated G, PG, or even R.

In the event that something like this happens to you, you can contact Google directly and plead your case, but I doubt there are any guarantees you’ll be able to convince them.

Tip of the Day - Check Wayback Machine before you buy your domain! You might uncover some skeletons.

We have not had a good debate discussion around here lately and frankly, I’m bored with the whole Page Rank hullabaloo already, so let’s talk about something else.

I’d like to hear your thoughts on keeping up with the Joneses when it comes to web design techniques, development, and programming.

If you are a designer or developer, you have probably come across this predicament at least once in your career. You launch a new web site for a client using the “latest and greatest” techniques, have the trendiest graphics, and all the right SEO techniques built in. The client is thrilled and you have a shiny new star to add to your portfolio.

Then, 8 months later you look back on the site and say to yourself “what was I thinking?” After all, the coolest designers are now using something new, the drop shadow effect on the logo looks so dated compared to the new glossy logos everyone is sporting, and Google went and changed the search algorithm AGAIN.

Do you:

• Approach the client and ask them to pony up for a brand spanking new site design?
• Recommend a few subtle tweaks to update the site a bit?
• Stick with the attitude that if it isn’t broken, don’t fix it?

And what about that new site you are getting ready to design - you know the one that the client wants to do everything under the sun but their budget just isn’t going to be enough? How do you approach that kind of challenge? Do you design what you know using the fastest, least expensive method even if that means reverting to older techniques that you can do in your sleep?

Keeping up with the latest design trends, platforms, techniques and standards is a lot of work! How do you balance what you invest in professional development with actually earning money using what you already know? And when is it important to keep up with the Joneses and when is it okay not to?

Yes, I know I asked a lot of questions, but these are just a few of the things that are on my mind. Join the discussion and tell me your thoughts on keeping up with the Joneses!

October is Breast Cancer Awareness month and in honor of the cause, many sites across the web have gone Pink for October. At last check, 674 sites have registered at the Pink for October site this year - declaring their pinkness. I took some time earlier this week to check out a fair number of them and found 13 in particular that I love.

5ThirtyOne is very pink and created a special WordPress theme for the occasion.

WordPress Theme master, Brian Gardner, is sporting a very sophisticated shade of mauve.

I just love the combination of the black and pink on the Calla Mae site (and check out the beautiful bracelet, too)

I created a custom header and changed up the CSS at my Casual Keystrokes site to make it really pink.

Conserving Made Chic is one of my new favorites for so many reasons!

Charity at Design Adaptations gave me the final push I needed to get my pink site live when I saw that she had released her Pink Adaptations theme.

Geek with Style created this gift-like Pink for October theme.

Kiss My Code’s very creative theme at I’m Blogging That just might be my favorite.

Not only did Randa Clay give her own site a beautiful pink makeover, she also release one of her themes in a pink version, Pink Bird.

Scribblescratch also contributed two themes - I really like this snappy plaid one.

Natalie Jost contributed some beautiful themes and color schemes to help inspire us to go pink. This one is her personal design.

This is another one of Natalie Jost’s Pink for October themes - just gorgeous.

How can you resist pink sunglasses? Surrounded by Girls did a great job going pink - something tells me they have had a bit of practice with the pink palette.

If you have a favorite Pink for October design, please take a minute and share it with us. Or let us know which of these designs you happen to love. Thanks to all the designers for taking time to support a great cause by sharing your creativity and voice with all of us.

PS - This is a Thursday Thirteen post.