I just got an email from Google stating that Google Checkout transactions will be free until the end of the year:

From November 8 through December 31, 2006, we'll process all of your Checkout transactions for free, even if you aren't an AdWords advertiser.

I just logged into my Google AdSense account, and noticed that they updated the terms, and also are introducing AdLinks.

Ad Links are a new form of text advertising that we're offering to our AdSense publishers.