Here is the complete list:http://www.yahoo.com/dailylogo

While I think they were all slightly boring, they were quite varied in design. I like Day 2.

Also, how is that spacing a glitch? Maybe it is by design? Since the whole point of this is to play with typeface, letter spacing and other creative ideas.

I also like the clarity, readability, and simplicity of 18 and 28. Most of the other options are either hard to read, or just seem like a jumble of shapes at first glance. But yes, I like the mostly boring options.

They only tested variations on type face and layout. They didn't offer any completely different logo options that split from the familiar.

Is it just me, or is this winner logo the one most similar to the original logo?

It's not just you. That's actually the whole point of the article. Did you even RTFA?:

"Our findings from Yahoo’s “30 days of change” campaign suggest it should stick to something familiar. So, for Yahoo’s sake, we hope the new logo announced tomorrow will remind users of its graphical heritage."

In which case, they really should just stick with the original. If they really want to change their imaging a bit, they need to go hire Hardgay.

Hardgay goes to Yahoo!: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KSD8edviajE

Seriously, I might use Yahoo! for something or another for the first time in fifteen years, if they lead their imaging campaign with him.

The only one I remotely liked was Day 11. I hate the old one and think they need a completely fresh start that signifies a new era.