About the time I really started to get into the net (by that I mean, have my own server and sites), was around the .COM bubble. Man thoes were the days. You could goto LinkExchange, or any number of sites and get banner ads that would pay 10cents a click (sometimes more, sometimes payment just for exposure). Of course, we’ve fallen on harder times now. Of course Google AdSense is here, and its a good idea.
Oh, and don’t forget all thoes pay-to-surf sites. Especially the ones with huge pay pyramids, but I guess thoes now have been replaced by “get your self a free 111” (where 111 is your favorite mac product, Ipods, Ishuffles, MacMini’s, etc).