"...only four web sites account for 50 percent of all online minutes. Simply put, this is very sad. We, in the independent web community, still have a lot of work to do. It is becoming exceedingly difficult for independent web sites to receive any notoriety, or for the average surfer to even know we exist.

Nearly all search engines are using some kind of pay model now. The online press doesn't help matters any by continuously pushing the consolidated media giants that buy all the advertising. If it doesn't bother you that our generation's web legacy might be portals and porn, then you may move on.

Perhaps, though, you crave something different. This community knows there is plenty more out there. Are we doing everything we can? We are encouraging everyone who reads this to spread the word and link to at least one new independent web site each week — more if you can — grass roots, y'know? Call it AORTAL, the anti-portal, because we have heart."

If you're going to click any of the links I've posted today, please make it this one. The Internet Brothers have (what I think) is a very admirable goal, and you as a blogger, can help them out very easily. Visit their website for more details.

[Via Orange Clouds]