While dozens of technology and media firms are cutting back on expenses and staff, GettyImages is doing just the opposite.  This afternoon, they announced the committment to purchase of JupiterMedia’s photo and image division, Jupiterimages, one of Getty’s largest competitors in the stock, event and archive photography business.

The purchase is set for $96 million, and gives JupiterMedia a much needed cash infusion, as their stock has lost more than 95% of it’s value over the last eight years, and not insignificant percentages of their remaining value over the last several weeks.

We’ve covered the exploits of Getty extensively over the years here at Mashable, because in addition to being the largest player in the world of providing content to producers both New Media and Old, they’ve also been a consistently quiet but persistent player in the Web 2.0 world, in both starting up Web 2.0 divisions of their own as well as being a purchaser for other startups looking for an exit.

Getty is no stranger to buying out Web 2.0 companies, themselves, having purchased Pump Audio last summer, and bought Scoopt about a year ago. They’re solidly in the music and citizen journalism business with both acquisitions, as well as being a solid friend to the independent and freelance journalist with their wire service (try hitting up any red carpet event without running into a Getty photographer).

This appears to be a role that they will continue to play given moves like the one today combined with the fact that they’re not exactly short on cash or resources following their acquisition by private equity firm Hellman & Friedman for $2.4 billion in cash.

—Related Articles at Mashable | All That’s New on the Web:Getty Images Does Music Too. Thanks Pump Audio.Getty Images Sold for $2.4 BillionFotolia - Buy and Sell Stock Photos20 Free Ebooks and Whitepapers for Better Web Design

If you hadn’t noticed, I got married and went on a honeymoon. Did you miss me? Apparently so. Gizmodo gets banned from CES. Golson asks Calacanis for a job. Our very special correspondent pickets against the new pay system. Where’s was Denton with the “too insidery” warnings? Oh that’s right, blogging for Gawker. Here’s what really happened during the first two weeks of 2008, according to a speed-read of my feeds. On my next honeymoon, I’m bringing a laptop.

• Facebook is slower than a bunch of social networks you’ve never heard of, according to Watchmouse. Yes, Zuck’s baby is slower than RateItAll, Infield Parking, Buzznet and most especially, Consumating. Which is of course everyone’s favorite. MySpace is not on the list.

• The Pew Internet & American Life project discovered that Web video was more popular in 2007 than in 2006.
• Robert Scoble appeared on television. Twice.
• Iminlikewithyou founder Charles Forman told an audience of 450 that, despite what you’ve heard, he’s not actually an asshole.
• Jupitermedia CEO Alan Meckler posted seven times. 6-word version: Things are great. Ignore stock price.
• Jason Calacanis has 11,900 friends on Twitter, LinkedIn, Mahalo and Facebook. And 495 on Mahalo. By the way, he wants to have dinner with all of you.
• Yahoo’s CEO unveiled a new mobile Web platform at CES that will save the company. Just like it did last year.
• And, most notably, the Flight of the Conchords performed at CES:

(Photo by ThrasherDave)