with the linking it is a wide spread thought that the link has to be a PR 4 for it to show up. Which is BS because my new site (PR 0) links to another site and it recognizes it as a link when you go link:http://www.dlfknvdovndofj dot com
I use to (and do occasionally still do) read google news forums and you know what? they are bitching about the same $hit they did 4 years ago – there’s nothing you can do
the most Important thing (I think) is the text link to your site – that’s what google is all about – if you keep that the same – that’s what you will get hits for (when you’re allowed get on the main search index)