Back in October, we mentioned we were looking for an additional writer (or writers). In case you were wondering, we've not yet filled the position. Because Bess and Equity Private have been doing such an excellent job, we haven't felt much pressure on this front. If it ain't broke, don't fix it.

But we are once again thinking of hiring more talent, given how the site is thriving (and how many Wall Streeters might be looking for new jobs right now). Would you be interested (or would you know anyone who might be)?

This is a full-time position, with standard benefits -- health insurance, a 401(k), abuse from anonymous commenters. If you're looking to transition from Wall Street to writing, this is an excellent opportunity.

If you'd like to apply for this position, please email us at jobs at dealbreaker dot com (subject line: "DealBreaker Writer Application"). Please describe yourself and your background, what you have to offer DealBreaker, and your vision for the site. Feel free to include a résumé, a writing sample, a link to your own blog (if you have one), or any other information relevant to evaluation of your application.

Thanks for your interest. We look forward to hearing from you.

Greetings, Dealbreaker readers. My name is David Lat, and I'm the managing editor of Breaking Media, parent company of this fine site (as well as Above the Law and Fashionista).

The Dow may be down, but DB is up -- the site is currently receiving record traffic. And in case you haven't noticed, there's almost too much financial news to cover (though the long hours your tireless editors have been working should probably be an indication). More hands are needed on deck.

So Dealbreaker is in expansion mode. We're looking to hire an additional writer (or writers, plural, depending on the talent we come across). Might you be interested?

This is a full-time position, with standard benefits -- health insurance, a 401(k), and abuse from anonymous commenters (hold the mayo). If you're looking to transition from Wall Street to writing -- or if you're already in the world of financial journalism, but looking to try something new -- this is an excellent opportunity.

If you'd like to apply, please email us at jobs at dealbreaker dot com (subject line: "New Writer Application"). Please describe yourself and your background, and explain what you have to offer Dealbreaker. If you have a particular vision for the site or ideas for new features, do share. Feel free to include a résumé, a writing sample, a link to your own blog (if you have one), or any other information you think might be relevant to evaluation of your application.

Thanks for your interest. We look forward to hearing from you.

AIG. Morgan Stanley. Washington Mutual. Wachovia. Russia. There's a lot to keep up with these days and we're doing out best to keep you up to date. But our biggest resource is our readers. You're a rare set of financial insiders with access to some of the best information on the street. Without you we'd just be another financial news organization.

It seems not everyone knows how to get in touch with us. It couldn't be easier. You can email us at tips@dealbreaker.com or calls us at 212-334-1871 with your office gossip, bankruptcy, misbehaving banker snap shots, true-life stories of work gone bad, deal news, trading desk follies, market movements, promotions and firings, and whatever else happens to be on your mind.

But if you are worried that the SEC might subpoena your emails, there are two more ways to send us tips. You can now contact us via instant messaging. Our AIM screenname is TheDealBreakers. But sometimes you need that extra-measure of security--or rather, to avoid those extra measures of security from the folks who might be monitoring your computer usage. So we also have two DealBreaker tips text message accounts. Send your text tips to 646-526-FEAR or 973-495-0177.

Here's a creative way of sending tips that users recently discovered: take a photo with your phone and send it to us on the tips line or to tips@dealbreaker.com. It's a great way to send firm memos without leaving any trace that can be found by your employer!

As always, you can rest assured that we will keep your identity confidential. Thanks!

One of the great secrets of our success here at DealBreaker is our readers. We have the brightest, wittiest and best informed commenters on the web who help keep our recent comments page always fresh. And our tipsters--often people we have never met who reach out to us through email and phone calls--have helped us break stories and get the insider angle on stories where everyone else is simply re-writing the press release.

It seems not everyone knows how to get in touch with us. It couldn't be easier! You can email us at tips@dealbreaker.com or calls us at 212-334-1871 with your office gossip, bonus rumors, misbehaving banker snap shots, true-life stories of work gone bad, deal news, trading desk follies, market movements, promotions and firings, and whatever else happens to be on your mind.

But if you are worried that the SEC might subpoena your emails, there are two more ways to send us tips. You can now contact us via instant messaging. Our AIM screenname is TheDealBreakers. But sometimes you need that extra-measure of security--or rather, to avoid those extra measures of security from the folks who might be monitoring your computer usage. So we also have a DealBreaker tips text message account. Send your text tips to 973-495-0177.

Here's a creative way of sending tips that users recently discovered: take a photo with your phone and send it to us on the tips line or to tips@dealbreaker.com. It's a great way to send firm memos without leaving any trace that can be found by your employer!

As always, you can rest assured that we will keep your identity confidential. Thanks!

The ad people in this asylum have a couple questions they'd like you to answer so please do so below sans "Why the fuck are you asking us this" since it obviously has to do with some sort of money-making (Ponzi) scheme they're cooking up. Then, we can return to the important work of analyzing this man-on-mouse pic for clues re: where things went wrong.

One of the great secrets of our success here at DealBreaker is our readership. We have the brightest, wittiest and best informed commenters on the web who help keep our recent comments page always fresh. And our tipsters--often people we have never met who reach out to us through email and phone calls--have helped us break stories and get the insider angle on stories where everyone else is simply re-writing the press release.

Of course you know that you can email us at tips@dealbreaker.com or calls us at 212-334-1871 with your office gossip, bonus rumors, misbehaving banker snap shots, true-life stories of work gone bad, deal news, trading desk follies, market movements, promotions and firings, and whatever else happens to be on your mind.

But you may not know that there are two more ways to send us tips. You can now contact via instant messaging. Our AIM screenname is TheDealBreakers. But sometimes you need that extra-measure of security--or rather, to avoid those extra measures of security from the folks who might be monitoring your computer usage. So we also have a DealBreaker tips text message account. Send your text tips to 973-495-0177.

As always, you can rest assured that we will keep your identity confidential. Thanks!

One of the great secrets of our success here at DealBreaker is our readers. We have the brightest, wittiest and best informed commenters on the web who help keep our recent comments page always fresh. And our tipsters--often people we have never met who reach out to us through email and phone calls--have helped us break stories and get the insider angle on stories where everyone else is simply re-writing the press release.

Of course you know that you can email us at tips@dealbreaker.com or calls us at 212-334-1871 with your office gossip, bonus rumors, misbehaving banker snap shots, true-life stories of work gone bad, deal news, trading desk follies, market movements, promotions and firings, and whatever else happens to be on your mind.

But you may not know that there are two more ways to send us tips. You can now contact us via instant messaging. Our AIM screenname is TheDealBreakers. But sometimes you need that extra-measure of security--or rather, to avoid those extra measures of security from the folks who might be monitoring your computer usage. So we also have a DealBreaker tips text message account. Send your text tips to 973-495-0177.

As always, you can rest assured that we will keep your identity confidential. Thanks!

It’s almost summer and you know what that means—DealBreaker is looking for one or two lucky individuals to be our interns and, if you play your cards right, it might just be you. Basically, it boils down to willingness for, nay a passion to excel at, picking up Carney’s dry cleaning. Are you man enough for the job? If not, please seek alternative employment via the DB Career Center. For those of you up to the task, read on.

It’s almost summer and you know what that means—DealBreaker is looking for one or two lucky individuals to be our interns and, if you play your cards right, it might just be you. Basically, it boils down to willingness for, nay a passion to excel at, picking up Carney’s dry cleaning. Are you man enough for the job? If not, please seek alternative employment via the DB Career Center. For those of you up to the task, read on.

So! We recently received a bunch of emails to the effect of “something’s wrong with the site,” “where are the posts,” “how come I can’t comment?” The reason for all of these problems is that you guys were logging on to the site incorrectly. I don’t how you all did it at the same time, but bravo!

Unemployed? Consider rectifying that with BlackRock (as an analyst), DE Shaw (as something vague but in Bermuda!) or recently downgraded Goldman Sachs (who’s looking for a campus recruiter. I threw that one in as a joke but I think some of you could really thrive in the position). [DB CC]

Also, if you are a portfolio or asset manager, the ad people in this asylum would like to know if:

It was just about two years ago that we got this experiment in gossip, news, analysis, commentary, jokes and dirty talk underway. It’s been more successful than we ever could have hoped. Our readers are largely responsible for this success. We have become a clearing house for underground market news thanks to our tips and comments. And our comment section has become such a great source of information and community that we launched a community page to let the commenters have a section of their very own, where you can start new topics or continue discussions long after they’ve left the main pages for the afterworld of our archives.

We won’t go on trumpeting our successes here. Rather, we’re just going to take the opportunity to promise you that we’re continuing to expand and improve. Thanks so much for reading, drinking and commenting with us.

On a personal note—one that demands I drop our sacred “royal we” style—I’m very grateful for everyone who has helped make DealBreaker work. I’m headed off for a long overdue vacation in South East Asia. I’ll miss you all dearly. I’m leaving the keys to the DealBreaker mansion in the capable hands of Bess, Joe and Equity Private for the rest of April. If you have any tips on South East Asia, feel free to email me at john@dealbreaker.com.

Remember, you can always reach DealBreaker by emailing tips@dealbreaker.com, calling 212-334-1871 or texting us at 973-495-0177.

Nobody leaves 'til we get there!

In our continuing (and continually failing) effort to provide the finest in financial musings for our readers, we at DealBreaker are pleased to announce that Equity Private, author of the much-loved Going Private blog has joined DealBreaker as a Guest Editor at least until May 1st. Ms. Private will be filling in for John Carney, who is fortunate enough to be departing for a month to enjoy a well deserved, and somewhat overdue vacation, April 4th.

For those of you who have been hiding under a rock for the last two years, Equity Private is a pseudonymous Vice President at the equally pseudonymous "Sub Rosa," a New York based, middle market, private equity firm focused on leveraged buyouts.

Ms. Private either holds a MA/MBA or a JD/MBA (though she refuses to tell anyone which) from a top tier university. We don't know which university, of course, but given her rather overt animosity for one in particular, we're pretty sure it isn't Stanford. Either way she has too many degrees, and not enough beachfront property in Sardinia (500' really doesn't cut it anymore).

I took a break from writing about JPMorgan and Bear Stearns all day to have a little chat with the newest edition to the stable.

Bess Levin: So, Equity, you'll be with us from now until Carney returns at the end of April (at which point I'll be taking a month off to just chill by the way). Are you intimidated at the prospect of having to fill Carney's (proverbially) big shoes.

*Messing...

We'd like to know a little about you. Our reader survey helps us create content that better fits what you want to read. More importantly, it helps us sell the advertisements that pay us to bring you DealBreaker content every day. Please take a few moments to fill out this survey and let us know a little about you.

No, just messing (that would be quite the story though, wouldn't it?) But now that I have your attention, how 'bout you take that survey again, the one we put up Friday but which was inaccessible after 11 due to technical difficulties? I know it's a gigantic favor to ask so, in a show of anticipated gratitude, I've arranged for Carney to streak naked through Bear Stearns at approximately 2 pm, making stops at all relevant desks (we'll have an intern following him with a camera and a clip up shortly thereafter). This one-time gift is predicated on at least 10,000 filling out the quick and painless form found below, so forward it to your friends and get cracking.

Survey [DealBreaker]

Favor time! The ad people in this asylum would like you to take a second or five to fill out the survey below. Do that for us, and as a thank you, we'll continue to provide you with free content. Sound good? Good.

Now for something unrelated (though in my mind everything connects). The Guardian ran an item today that wondered aloud, "Can Rupert Murdoch's nascent Fox Business network get any less classy?" and proceeded to mention two previous DealBreaker posts ("Art Cock, Sans Smock" and "Hot Sluts Are The One Thing Fox Business Can Do Right And They Can’t Even Do That") in what appeared to be the G's effort to say "no." While we appreciate the link love, we have to say that A. We don't think FBN is class-less (apologies if we've given that impression) and B. Trying to prove that FBN is a whorehouse is like trying to nail down that J. Cayne smokes dope-- wasn't it obvious anyway? Plus, thing of it is and this relates back to point A., I think Fox's problem is that it's trying to be TOO classy. No need to gussy up a whorehouse. First off (and I don't really have time for this but I'll shoot off a few quick ideas and then it's up to whoever's running that place to implement), we can't help but thinking the station needs a new name. No more "FBN." From here on out, it's Randy Rupert's Chicken Ranch. There should be an orgy going on in the background of "Happy Hour" at all times, like in Caligula, and next week, Cody needs to have sex with a horse. I would also strongly encourage a Cavuto segment called "Business Bukkake." And wouldn't a recurring feature with "Business For Breakfast" guests called "Who Would You Do" (they pick among Wall Street leaders, dead or alive) just make sense?

Survey [DealBreaker]
A Dirty Business [The Guardian, last item]

We receive a pretty consistent stream of requests from bloggers that we add their blog to our blog roll. Readers often write in suggesting their favorite blogs be added. Our response over the past year has been to concede that our blogroll is terribly out of date--it hasn't been changed since we set it up two years ago--and to promise to take a look at the blog and consider adding it when we finally get around to updating the thing. And for two years that day never came.

But now that day is here. As part of our rollout of new features, we're going to add a new and improved blogroll. So if you've got a favorite blog that you think should be added, please write to us. Or leave a comment below. If you're a blogger and you think DealBreaker readers would love your site, please get in touch. We're really doing it this time, and we want it to be the most comprehensive listing of great business and finance blogs around. Send your emails to Tips@DealBreaker with the subject line "Blogroll." Thanks!

Last week DealBreaker debuted our new look and several new features. Most of the site will still operated the way it always has. Our main column will carry the latest news, rumors and humor from the same stable of writers. Our comment section remains open to anonymous comments, and you can keep up with the most recent reader comments by clicking on the tab above. We still bring you the latest in Wall Street job offerings in our Career Center.

Our new features include a featured stories section on the top of the page, where recent important stories and classic DealBreaker items will be spotlighted. We’ll continuously poll our readers—whom we regard as our best sources for news, gossip and market intelligence—with a permanent poll featured in the center column. You’ll notice the center column also contains two new features—a column highlighting the new “DealBreaker Community” section and “Elsewhere.” The DealBreaker Community is an opportunity for reader to really shine. There you can start a conversation or pick up where one left off. It’s the place for readers to break new stories and start new conversations. Elsewhere will highlight the best stories of the day from all around these here internets. In the column on the far right, we've enabled you to sort items by the most read, most commented and most recommended.

There are now more ways to read and organize DealBreaker, and your chance to personalize your experience by registering with us. Several readers have reported problems registering—in particular, the inability to register certain user names or not getting confirmation emails. The confirmation emails are probably being swallowed up by spam filters. If you have attempted to register, or have any other problems with the site, please email us at tips@dealbreaker and we’ll get it manually ironed out.
Now back to our regularly scheduled programming.

Every now and then we like to ask our readers some questions about themselves. We think this helps us chart our editorial course so that we’re you providing the most useful news, salacious rumors, irresponsibly sourced items and contentious ranting. But even more than helping with our editorial direction, it helps our advertisers decide whether we have the kind of audience that might be interested in buying their products.

Sometimes our readers are shocked we’d engage in radical commercial activity such as helping advertisers learn more about our readers. They demand to know why they should help us do anything so terrible as sell ads. Well, the simple reason is that you should help us because this is how we make money. The site is totally free of charge; our bills are paid by our advertisers. Without these ads—and without your help selling them by filling out these rare, brief and anonymous surveys—we would simply cease to exist. Bess Levin would have to get a real job. The other editors would simply fade away into unemployment, gin-mills and the charity of girls with too much money and poor judgment.

Today’s reader survey is particularly short. We want to know your answer to two whole questions. Go ahead and take the survey, please.

Reader Survey [DealBreaker]