Karls Blog

In my previous post, I mentioned that I was not a fan of some method people use to fill content in their blogs. See here:

http://karlkopp.com/blog/CommentView,guid,7c36db4b-814a-4fee-b35c-284bc2f7bc64.aspx

Steve Blackman left his 2 cents worth in a comment:

"I think you will find they are press releases!

Who's the fool now?"

Not 100% sure what you are trying to say. The points I was trying to make were:

1) Its plagiarism - the definiation of plagiarism (many definitions can be seen here) is:

"Copying someone else's work and then passing it off as one's own"

This is still true as I dont see any credit given. While it may not be illegal (and I never said that) its still plagiarism in my eyes...

2) Why not link - there is enough duplication on the net, and if I want to see a copy of the 'press releases', I'll use Google Cache!

For me, a blog (more definitions can be found here) is about MY / YOUR opinion, views, stance, comments, beliefs etc. An online (and very public ;) dairy. I dont see that happening here...

Never mind - the best part about blogs / RSS feeds is that the end user controls it. Steve - if you like reading press releases regurgitated from around the net, be my guest. I dont, so I right click, delete feed, and will be on my way :)

11/29/2006 5:57:23 PM (AUS Eastern Standard Time, UTC+10:00)

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When is a blog not a blog? When its blatent plagiarism!

My laptop recently died in its sleep, so I am slowly adding back my RSS feeds into the very kewl Outlook 2007. Today I came across an old colleague of mine, Clarke Scott. He's become a monk, and good on him. I can see some of the benefits of becoming a monk like the meditation. I like to do a bit myself in the form of basic Tai Chi a few times a week as I feel it really helps me slow down and relax.

Anyways, I then saw that he has moved his IT based blogging to another URL - http://www.vividsoftware.net/. So I clicked and had a look. SHOCK. HORROR.

It is blatent plagiarism! The articles are cut and paste from other sources without any credits being given! To me, this is stealing IP.

Tim Berners-Lee invented the 'a href' tag for a reason!

One would have to question the motive behind such posts with Google AdWords appearing all over the place...

11/24/2006 9:29:45 AM (AUS Eastern Standard Time, UTC+10:00)

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Oh dear - not quite right domain names

A classic email I received from Artie this moring I just had to share...

"Everyone knows that if you are going to operate a business in today's world you need a domain name. It is advisable to look at the domain name as others see it and not just as you think it looks.

Failure to do this may result in situations such as the following (legitimate) companies who deal in everyday humdrum products and services but clearly didn't give their domain names enough consideration:

1. A site called 'Who Represents' where you can find the name of the agent that represents a celebrity. Their domain name... wait for it... is www.whorepresents.com

2. Experts Exchange, a knowledge base where programmers can exchange advice and views at www.expertsexchange.com

3. Looking for a pen? Look no further than Pen Island at www.penisland.net

4. Need a therapist? Try Therapist Finder at www.therapistfinder.com

5. Then of course, there's the Italian Power Generator company… www.powergenitalia.com

6. And now, we have the Mole Station Native Nursery, based in New South Wales: www.molestationnursery.com

7. If you’re looking for computer software, there's always www.ipanywhere.com

8. Welcome to the First Cumming Methodist Church. Their website is www.cummingfirst.com

9. Then, of course, there's these brainless art designers, and their whacky website: www.speedofart.com

10. Want to holiday in Lake Tahoe? Try their brochure website at www.gotahoe.com"

11/21/2006 4:01:01 PM (AUS Eastern Standard Time, UTC+10:00)

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Presenting in Sydney tomorrow

Following on from the event in Melbourne, we are now coming to Sydney to share some stories and learning about how we put together some of the best web sites on the 'net:

http://wdg.com.au/sydneybestpracticesevent/

Feel free to stop buy and say hi :)

11/21/2006 3:52:32 PM (AUS Eastern Standard Time, UTC+10:00)

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Vista RTM now available on MSDN downloads

Just saw Vista RTM is now available to MSDN subscribers. Downloading now :)

11/17/2006 8:11:28 AM (AUS Eastern Standard Time, UTC+10:00)

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BTW - The Web is 15 today!

Quite a milestone and oh how far we have come...

http://www.w3.org/History.html

Some of the progress of WDG:

November 2006 - Coming soon ;)

Its scary when you look back and see how long our existing site has existed! We've been plenty busy with clients, no time for ourselves. But something fresh is 99% done. Few more tweaks, and we'll share with you and the 'Wayback Machine' ;)

PS - some other interesting ones:

Microsoft now (link) Microsoft October 1996 (link)

Yahoo now (link) - Yahoo October 1996 (link)

Google now (link) - Google December 1998 (link) - more going on then than now, very unsual :)

Telstra now (link) - Telstra December 1996 (link)

11/14/2006 4:14:51 PM (AUS Eastern Standard Time, UTC+10:00)

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15 instant energy boosters

From Mirror.co.uk, I saw this kewl article on getting over the arvo fatigue period at 2:16pm on average :)

http://www.mirror.co.uk/yourlife/health/tm_headline=15-instant-energy-boosters&method=full&objectid=18086771&siteid=94762-name_page.html

I eat boiled eggs daily, have plants on my desk, and drink a tonne of water, so not a bad start ;)

PS - been off on holidays, so back to blogging more regularly now...