For most of us, the end of the year is a great time to look ahead and plan for the future. Although January first is really just another day when it comes down to it, we all look forward to our annual new start, and the opportunities the New Year brings.

But as we all know, what happens in the past usually dictate how things will develop in the future (unless you’re a financial planner, who are required by law to disagree with that statement), and as the overused George Santayana quote goes, those of us who forget our past are destined to repeat it.

With that in mind I thought today would be a good day to point out Andrew Goodman’s post about how fat the search industry has come since 2003. Andrew, who is currently attending Search Engine Strategies Chicago, is reflecting on the themes, sessions and topics of the Search Engine Strategies conference of 2003, and comparing it to what’s happening in 2007.

Read Andrew’s post for a trip down memory lane that includes mention of directory submissions, the recognition of blogs, and getting to know the (nails on chalk board) portals.