Probably a stupid question...

[Halfdeck]

Google seems to favor more of my pages with a smaller number of links, a higher non-linked text to linked text ratio, and a smaller file size.

Though there are a few technical guidelines I go by to avoid indexing problems (e.g. meta description no less than ~55 chars, TABLE-less page structure with content above nav links, word count 200+ per page not including anchor text, etc.) , I think when you're talking about on-page "optimization", there's only one question worth asking: Is this the best page EVER on the web for keyword X?

[virgohippy]

Originally Posted by Halfdeck

...there's only one question worth asking: Is this the best page EVER on the web for keyword X?

Now just add 300 more pages of mildly entertaining technical mumbo jumbo and you've written the most enlightened SEO book ever!