So I stumbled upon a blog post that suggested using a tool that allows you to bundle your site as a distributable exe file that you can then post to tons of software sites. This method supposedly provides tons of one-way back links to your site. Is this method white hat? Am I asking for trouble if I try it?
I think you misunderstood, or perhaps I didn't explain things well. You post the exe of your site as software on the software directory and in turn, you get a page describing your 'software site'. On that page is a one-way backlink to your site.
Diki, Yes you can, using pad submissions. I've done it. It's white hat if you truly have a software exe. What is considered software will be left up to the person that reviews your submission. I submitted a toolbar that I created using conduit. It was turned down by two of the major software directories because everyone is doing it and they don't consider toolbars software. I also submitted it to 250+ smaller directories and currently only two backlinks are showing. In my opinion, it's a little late to jump on the pad submission badwagon; nonetheless, I'm experimenting with a few different types of other real software to submit. Oh yeah, converting e-books to exe is not considered "software" by most directories also.