Monaco resident Jenson Button has won the first F1 race of the season.

The Formula One season started yesterday with the Australian Grand Prix held at the Albert Park track in Melbourne. Before the race on Sunday Button was considered to be something of an outside favourite for this year's championship. After such an auspicious start, we're all hoping that the young Brit, resident in Monaco since 2000 will excel in this year's Grand Prix. And it would be really special if he won in Monaco itself, where last year he finished a disappointing 11th.

Wikipedia: we all love it, we all use it and we all enjoy reading about the humourous, rude or just plain silly edits that users make to it. There's no denying that it's become one of the most used research tools on the Internet. However the fact that just about anyone can make changes to its articles has caused some problems.

If you're an entrepreneur about to make a pitch to raise investment, you should first read through this short, interesting blog written by a venture capitalist.

A good friend has just asked what SEO ranking software she can buy to improve her web site's Google position.

If only it were that simple! In the best tradition of Slashdot:

1. Buy SEO software.
2. Apply to web site.
3. Profit!

THIS DOES NOT WORK!

Because I get asked this question so often, I've put together a list of some useful SEO resources.

2008 promises to be an exciting year for the Societe des Bains de Mer et du Cercle des Etrangers, commonly and confusingly referred to here in Monaco as SBM. Confusingly, because there's another company based in the Principality called Single Buoy Moorings, also referred to as SBM. Perhaps this was one of the reasons for the recent branding exercise carried out by the company, resulting in their new name Monte-Carlo SBM.

According to a report from Marketwire, the Luxury Institute has just released its latest WealthSurvey. It seems that high net worth (HNWI) American consumers are just like the rest of us when it comes to customer service. Wealthy people don't like their personal data being shared with third parties, they want frontline staff to be empowered to sort out their problems regardless of company policies, and if they need to return a purchase, they want the experience to be fast, easy and convenient.

Local newspaper Monaco Matin reports today on key demographic statistics for the Principality in 2007.

Tomorrow sees the opening of the 3rd Monaco Spa Event. There are three days of conferences, workshops, exhibitions and most importantly, networking for those involved in the luxury spa and wellness industry. It's just what's needed after the excesses of the Christmas and New Year festivities.

There's just nine days left for Monaco's political parties to put together their candidates lists for the parliamentary elections. Monegasques will cast their vote on 3 February 2008 for the National Council, but the names of the 24 representatives must be submitted by 25 January in order to be eligible to stand. Once elected, they'll serve for 5 years, voting on the legislation and the budget for the Principality.

Local newspaper, Monaco Matin, reports today that several Monaco trade unions are hoping to turn casinos into no smoking areas.