Payola and affiliate programs and such are not particular news. Industry analysts and consulting houses can have similar profit motives for their recommendatio

Payola and affiliate programs and such are not particular news. Industry analysts and consulting houses can have similar profit motives for their recommendations and implementations over the years, too. There was a bogus application that showed how shady some of the software award sites can be, too: http://successfulsoftware.net/2007/08/16/the-software-awards-scam/ http://successfulsoftware.net/2007/08/16/the-software-awards... Even grocery and department stores can have financial considerations around product placement and the location and quantity of shelf space for a product that is made available within the store. When in doubt (and when you can), always follow the money.