Just Say No to Google Algorithm Chasing

Following the algorithm change a couple of months back many site's Google rankings were tipped upside down. This article is probably the most sensible reaction to this I have read: don't chase the algorithm - contentrate first on making a good site with good content.

Contrasting this, for a couple of articles that offer some smart advice for getting good placement in Google:

Google Optimization: E-Commerce @ $0 Cost (Part 1)
Google Optimization: E-Commerce @ $0 Cost (Part 2)