Bad Behaviors

While looking for splog I came across one blogger who reprinted an entire eight paragraph post of mine, but provided attribution and a link back. I posted a comment on the guy's website telling him to knock off stealing my content, and he became infuriated that I dared to point out his abuse of content.

He believed that because he provided the link and attribution, that he was entitled to take the entire contents of a post. He told me he thought he was doing me a favor: "Were I stealing your work that would be one thing. I was simply giving you a larger audience."

This goes to show that giving a monkey a keyboard doesn't make him a writer. Taking the entire contents of a post gives the reader no incentive to read the original article. It's like illegally downloading an album, and playing it at a party, and then telling the cops "I was just giving them an audience." Book 'em Dan-o, that's stealing.

Blog publishing sites should post in clear language the requirements of respecting copyright and a practical guide to bloggers ethics (even though for most folks it is common sense). They may have reference to prohibited behavior in their terms of service (see Bloglines for an example), but it's usually far down on a list and written in lawyer lingo. Newbie bloggers should have an easier method of understanding what is correct.

I also got a call yesterday from a telemarketer with a strong Indian accent offering me a new credit card service. The woman introduced herself as "Carolyn Jones," which leads me to believe that they must be a big fan of the original Addams Family in Dehli.

Why oh why do telemarketers from outside the U.S. claim to have cutesy American names? It's not like we'll remember them after we get off the phone, and pretending to be something you're not is an insult to the intelligence of everyone involved.