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Stole It? Sorry, You Are Protected

By
Real Estate Broker/Owner with Daytona Condo Realty, 386-405-4408

Well, the sight of 10 blog posts coming in rapid-fire manner right after the hand of the clock moves past midnight to Monday is not surprising.

The fact that that these posts are plagiarized is not surprising. Rapid-fire is a good warning sign… usually  wasted. The “author” is not Russel Ray, so he can do whatever he wants… even write War and Peace…

The fact that AR is resisting to either return to the flag system, which made it easier to report problems with blogs (not with comments), or offer something not much worse, is not surprising, of better say, no longer surprising after all this time of inability/unwillingness/resistance to address the issue.

The fact that some priorities on AR  raise hair questions, and for logging in and doing nothing you get 100 points, but for weeding cockroaches plagiarists you get 10 points, even though it takes you 3 times longer to report than to log in, but even this is no longer surprising

But there is irony in that these plagiarized posts come with this warning:

Sorry, that content is protected

Really? The stolen one? Is it why AR is sorry to protect this content, or the “contenter” (my neologism, as "blogger" does not really pertain).

For newbies – we are talking about the flagging system, since Jon Washburn “killed” the one we had (and it worked fine) promising us something phenomenally good coming, which never made it. And since then turned the deaf ear…

And for the first time since this warning Sorry, that content is protected came on our pages with no explanation, I agreed with AR.

Sorry is very appropriate here.

Comments (20)

David Farrell
David V. Farrell Co. - Garden City, NY
Licensed NY State Real Estate Broker

Jon,

I like your Blog because it took at least the first step in helping me understand what is being said when I see the term "Sorry, That Content is Protected" right after I make a comment.  I keep thinking I must have done something wrong.

Are you saying that they have a plagiarism and content theft algorithm in place, but that they really aren't doing much with it other than making that comment in red?

By the way, early on you rightly criticized me for making an inappropriate comment in a response to a blog.  I think it took place in June or July of '11.  I  found out who was messing with my account, but it wasn't me.   In the ensuing 6+ months, I think you realize that I'm the guy behind every response since I changed my password.  I think we've had a nice back-and-forth conversation going on now for quite some time.  The vacuous responses have disappeared, and been replaced with my crazy right-wing outbursts.  I just don't know which is better.

Either way, I was writing to see what the story is with that "Content is Protected" comment and to commend you on the use of the $100 word 'neologism'.  I would commend a native speaker of English for using quality words like this, but knowing you are a polyglot makes it all the more impressive.

For those who don't know what a neologism is, I'm not going to help them out.  As my parents and older brother taught me - "look it up in a dictionary and you'll remember it.  Use it three different times in speech and in writing and you'lll own it."

Great post.  Beware of neologisms, but never fear a new idea.   Your neologism is more than foregiven in llight of the fact that you are pointing out a clearly deceitful practice on AR.  When reposting is allowed and oft times encouraged, why do we need to plagiarize?  Is it really for the extra 175 points?  That's sad.   Anyone could do what I've seen one or two people do, which is to simply post a new photograph online every day and nothing else and get 200 points.  It is not necessary to steal the works of others.  The person who catches plagiarism should be give 2X the points awared to the person who made the post, and they should lose 2X the points they earned. 

They should be checking the posts not only against other posts, but against online news articles and Wikipedia-type content.  

I'm intrigued.  Thanks for your post.


David

Feb 12, 2012 06:47 PM
David Farrell
David V. Farrell Co. - Garden City, NY
Licensed NY State Real Estate Broker

Oh, and by the way, I forgot to mention one of my biggest pet peeves in life, which is getting knocked off the front page in 10 seconds by someone mega-posting.   I've learned times to avoid making posts when I know that people will be sending their own down the pipeline at the rate of 10 per person per minute. 

I've spent an hour writing a blog, only to have it on the fourth page before I could blink, while 40 property listings filled all the space before my post.

Personally, I believe listings should have a separate feed, but that just my opinion.

Feb 12, 2012 06:50 PM
Wallace S. Gibson, CPM
Gibson Management Group, Ltd. - Charlottesville, VA
LandlordWhisperer

We have AZ RENTAL property listings back on the blog roll - last time it was probably EVERY sale listing in the AZ state-wide MLS - now it is RENTAL listings - These should be able to be FLAGGED!

Feb 12, 2012 10:26 PM
Jark Krysinski *PREC (Personal Real Estate Corporation)
REMAX CREST REALTY WESTSIDE - Vancouver, BC
TeamYVR Team Leader, BA,ABR,IRES,IMSD,LLB

Hi Jon, LOL! I have to say this is one of the most funny article I have ever read! Especially when you talked about the content is protect. Very interesting topic and attractive title! Thanks for sharing with us! I love it!

You have a great day and happy Valentine's Day in advance!

 

Feb 13, 2012 10:01 AM
Tom Braatz Waukesha County Real Estate 262-377-1459
Coldwell Banker - Oconomowoc, WI
Waukesha County Realtor Real Estate agent. SOLD!

Jon

I have seened that "sorry" here and there. Lars says it is hard to duplicate a big dog like him

Feb 13, 2012 12:26 PM
Sharon Alters
Coldwell Banker Vanguard Realty - 904-673-2308 - Fleming Island, FL
Realtor - Homes for Sale Fleming Island FL

Jon, I don't understand what the meaning of that heading is. It looks annoying - I guess it's to detur plagiarism? People who want to do that don't care about some scarlet letters!

Sharon

Feb 13, 2012 01:48 PM
Jon Zolsky, Daytona Beach, FL
Daytona Condo Realty, 386-405-4408 - Daytona Beach, FL
Buy Daytona condos for heavenly good prices

David - if you think that I uncovered the meaning of this sacred "Sorry, that content is protected", you are wrong, I am just trying to find any sense where there is none (LOL)

As for your once cavalier comments, you sure proved that you were a real person, very intelligent, and I can't be happier. If anyone has doubts, your comment here is the best proof.

Feb 13, 2012 03:21 PM
Jon Zolsky, Daytona Beach, FL
Daytona Condo Realty, 386-405-4408 - Daytona Beach, FL
Buy Daytona condos for heavenly good prices

David - I always say th esame ting. There is no reason listings pop on the dashboard, and those rapid shooters are a disaster, absolutely true

Feb 13, 2012 03:22 PM
Jon Zolsky, Daytona Beach, FL
Daytona Condo Realty, 386-405-4408 - Daytona Beach, FL
Buy Daytona condos for heavenly good prices

Wallace - and it should be easier than it is now. Now it is a deterant to those who wants to report.

Feb 13, 2012 03:24 PM
Jon Zolsky, Daytona Beach, FL
Daytona Condo Realty, 386-405-4408 - Daytona Beach, FL
Buy Daytona condos for heavenly good prices

Jark - thanks. I am glad you picked the humor part. I wote withit in mind, and I appreciate you noticing it

Feb 13, 2012 03:25 PM
Jon Zolsky, Daytona Beach, FL
Daytona Condo Realty, 386-405-4408 - Daytona Beach, FL
Buy Daytona condos for heavenly good prices

Tom - Lars for President, Lars for President, Lars for President

Feb 13, 2012 03:26 PM
Jon Zolsky, Daytona Beach, FL
Daytona Condo Realty, 386-405-4408 - Daytona Beach, FL
Buy Daytona condos for heavenly good prices

Sharon - it sure does, And it gives me the impression that I am doing something wrong, and that;s why it pops up. Annopying and in red - LOL

Feb 13, 2012 03:27 PM
Kasey & John Boles
Jon Gosche Real Estate, LLC - BoiseMeridianRealEstate.com - Boise, ID
Boise & Meridian, ID Ada/Canyon/Gem/Boise Counties

Jon, I don't think I was around when the flagging tool was available, as I know nothing about it.  But it seems like a good tool to have and I'm surprised it was taken down. -Kasey

Feb 13, 2012 05:47 PM
Jon Zolsky, Daytona Beach, FL
Daytona Condo Realty, 386-405-4408 - Daytona Beach, FL
Buy Daytona condos for heavenly good prices

Kasey - yep, it was right next to "bookmark" under the post. The ease of it was that when you click it, you did not have to explain which post you were reporting, it was already there, plus there was a menu and you could choose what was the reason for the report.

Right now you have to go through "Contact us", copy the URL of the post you want to report and put it there, and choose General Feedback, which is ridiculous

Feb 14, 2012 01:45 AM
Jill Sackler
Charles Rutenberg Realty Inc. 516-575-7500 - Long Beach, NY
LI South Shore Real Estate - Broker Associate

I'm also wondering what the thought process was behind taking down the flagging tool. We can all agree that 10 plagarized posts in a row is frustrating to say the least.

Feb 16, 2012 02:57 PM
Jon Zolsky, Daytona Beach, FL
Daytona Condo Realty, 386-405-4408 - Daytona Beach, FL
Buy Daytona condos for heavenly good prices
Jill - I do not think there is an intent to make "cleaning" of AR more difficult, it just that AR people are on the other side of the counter and they do not understand what we deal with
Feb 16, 2012 11:50 PM
Maureen McCabe
HER Realtors - Columbus, OH
Columbus Ohio Real Estate

I miss the flag but I believe they like all sites really don't want to know unless the rightful owner complains that it is their content. 

Feb 28, 2012 12:50 PM
Jon Zolsky, Daytona Beach, FL
Daytona Condo Realty, 386-405-4408 - Daytona Beach, FL
Buy Daytona condos for heavenly good prices

Maureen - I thought that it was in AR interest to at least demonstrate the willingness to keep it as clean as possible (anyway, with our hands). I, actually, do not think they do it on purpose... I find little (or inedaquate) thinking dominating a lot of what is hapning on AR.

I think AR now has a lot of strong sides, but brain function is their weaker point. It is not that they are stupid, no. But it is surprisingly poor conceptually

Feb 28, 2012 01:41 PM
Maureen McCabe
HER Realtors - Columbus, OH
Columbus Ohio Real Estate

I miss the flag...

NAR is going to help those of us who are members understand plagiarism, copyright.  Will that change things on AR?  Maybe. 

 

May 19, 2012 02:26 AM
Jon Zolsky, Daytona Beach, FL
Daytona Condo Realty, 386-405-4408 - Daytona Beach, FL
Buy Daytona condos for heavenly good prices

Maureen - it is like a HEPA filter in fancy vacuum cleaners. They help to make sure that collected dust says in and not flies back into the air.

Flag was a part of the self cleaning system. Why AR does not want a self cleaning system is beyond my comprehension.

May 19, 2012 03:18 AM