I've been playing $10NL (which I'm sure is worse play than $25NL). I'm still in the collecting bonus money stage of my career.

Having read the majority of the site I was making pot sized bets with top pair, etc. At this money level you either buy the pot or get called by someone with a better hand. Like the original author said, making the second pot bet is expensive. I was basically breaking even (which was OK because I'm learning and as long as I don't loose money I get the bonus and come out ahead).

I switched to the 1/2 pot bet, with the continuation 1/2 bet on the turn. Very often people call the first, and fold to the second. I don't use this for bluffing, unless I raised pre-flop and 2-4 people are in. Often I'll get called to the river by middle pair so I find you usually need top pair in case of a showdown. Yes, it can't always be 1/2 pot. If there is an obvious straight or flush draw I ramp it up to full pot bet to take it down right there.

I would vouch for this style for Micro NL games. I've won about 20 BB per hour per table since switching.