Goa Blog at the Indibloggies: Are they Copying?
I am a bit surprised at the Indibloggies nominee for the Best New Indiblog category. The blog is called Goablog. Not sure what to say. Who is copying from whom?
The reason: look at this post on Goa university at Goablog (will it get deleted soon now?)
Have a look at the wikipedia link:
Goa University,the seat of higher learning in Goa was set up in 1985 and merged with the existing Centre for Post Graduate Instruction and Research (CPIR) of the University of Bombay (now Mumbai) that functioned at state-capital Panaji or Panjim. Goa University offers both graduate and post-graduate studies and research programmes. It is currently (September 2006) accredited to the NAAC (National Assessment and Accreditation Council) in India with a rating of four stars. It is located on the Taleigao Plateau. Goa University was established under the Goa University Act of 1984 and commenced operations on June 1, 1985. The University provides higher education in the Indian state of Goa.
Word by word same? And no mention of wikipedia. There are other such posts. Not sure who is copying from whom but
Agonda Beach at Goa blog
Copyscape gives:
1.
2.
3.
Palolem Beach at Goa blog.
This stretch of white sand dominates the southern coast of Goa. Until a few years back, it was among the virgin beaches of Goa. However, it couldn't escape from the eyes of the tourists. Although a few developments have taken place, the beach still has a soothing aura to it. A large area of the beach now accomodates a lot of small shacks that taper off as you move towards the south.
Update 1: As of now if you click on any of the Goablog links mentioned in this post, you get an error message. Here are two screen shots of the posts that I have talked about above.
The reason: look at this post on Goa university at Goablog (will it get deleted soon now?)
Goa University,the seat of higher learning in Goa was set up in 1985 and merged with the existing Centre for Post Graduate Instruction and Research (CPIR) of the University of Bombay (now Mumbai) that functioned at state-capital Panaji or Panjim. Goa University offers both graduate and post-graduate studies and research programmes. It is currently (September 2006) accredited to the NAAC (National Assessment and Accreditation Council) in India with a rating of four stars. It is located on the Taleigao Plateau. Goa University was established under the Goa University Act of 1984 and commenced operations on June 1, 1985. The University provides higher education in the Indian state of Goa.Now do a copyscape for the particular post
Have a look at the wikipedia link:
Goa University,the seat of higher learning in Goa was set up in 1985 and merged with the existing Centre for Post Graduate Instruction and Research (CPIR) of the University of Bombay (now Mumbai) that functioned at state-capital Panaji or Panjim. Goa University offers both graduate and post-graduate studies and research programmes. It is currently (September 2006) accredited to the NAAC (National Assessment and Accreditation Council) in India with a rating of four stars. It is located on the Taleigao Plateau. Goa University was established under the Goa University Act of 1984 and commenced operations on June 1, 1985. The University provides higher education in the Indian state of Goa.
Word by word same? And no mention of wikipedia. There are other such posts. Not sure who is copying from whom but
Agonda Beach at Goa blog
Copyscape gives:
1.
2.
3.
Palolem Beach at Goa blog.
just about 2-km West Of Chaudi, Canacona District, South Goa is the Palolem Beach. The major attractions nearby this beach are Agonda and Chaudi. The best time to visit Palolem Beach is November to March.Situated just about 2-km West Of Chaudi, Canacona District, South Goa is the Palolem Beach. The major attractions nearby this beach are Agonda and Chaudi. The best time to visit Palolem Beach is November to March.
This stretch of white sand dominates the southern coast of Goa. Until a few years back, it was among the virgin beaches of Goa. However, it couldn’t escape from the eyes of the tourists. Although a few developments have taken place, the beach still has a soothing aura to it. A large area of the beach now accommodates a lot of small shacks that taper off as you move towards the south.
This stretch of white sand dominates the southern coast of Goa. Until a few years back, it was among the virgin beaches of Goa. However, it couldn't escape from the eyes of the tourists. Although a few developments have taken place, the beach still has a soothing aura to it. A large area of the beach now accomodates a lot of small shacks that taper off as you move towards the south.
Update 1: As of now if you click on any of the Goablog links mentioned in this post, you get an error message. Here are two screen shots of the posts that I have talked about above.
Labels: Goa blog, The Indibloggies 2006
posted by Mridula at 1:07 PM
14 Comments:
Congrats! And yes, I was surprised to see it being nominated. Forget the copy, it's a boring blog, especially for one that's supposed to be about Goa.
Thanks for the comment Sloganmurugan.
Every year we come down to India and apart from home, we visit Goa since its the tried and tested vacation spot for us. You blog will give us more options in the future - thanks - keep them coming - check my blog at www.vinodshankar.blogspot.com
It is not a surprise that there are blogs plagiarising blatantly. But as you mention it getting nominated for some prize is certainly quite surprising. Doesn't seem good signs for the prize.
Your allegations for the Goa Blog are right. But it seems as per my web experience that this blog is a new blog as seen in the domain details. Also, it may be that the person or people behind this blog may not be knowing that the things should not be copied, as it looks as if the blogger/s is new.
Regarding the wikipedia, i observe that they have given due credit to wikipedia.org at the bottom of every page. You might have overlooked it. I suggest, you try to contact the bloggers behind the blog and try to explain the ethics rather than making it an issue. I liked the blog, if this flaw is overlooked, because there is all information at one stop.
Talk about fine print !! The credit to Wikipedia should be right above each post rather that at the bottom of the page.
They should advertise themselves as a directory blog or something in that case.
Mridula,
Been there, seen that. So often in the blogworld and elsewhere. There's not much we can do about it I guess.
watch this site which has simmillar videos. www.canaravideo.com is very fast, good and has lot of indian cultural videos. it looks like indian youtube try this out.
"Also, it may be that the person or people behind this blog may not be knowing that the things should not be copied, as it looks as if the blogger/s is new."
This is complete crap. Copying is copying. Whether you are new or old. Ignorance is no excuse.
"Regarding the wikipedia, i observe that they have given due credit to wikipedia.org at the bottom of every page."
I found the following in smallest font at the bottom of the page:
"Thanks to information posts from Wikipedia drom[sic] which information posts on Goa have been adopted."
If you want to call it any credit (atleast I won't but above commenter has) do not call it due credit. Such blatant plagiarism is shameful and should be condemned and not be done over with trying "to explain the ethics rather than making it an issue."
Dear Mridula,
Congrats for your blog! I am a freelance journalist based in Berlin. In cooperation with my colleague Jörg Wager I produce a film about the woldwide blogger scene in different countries including India.
We would like to meet and interview you. Your travel schedule for India is on a short notice from the 2nd of March until the 9th. We would be very happy if you had time for us. Looking forward to your response.
Best regards
Eleni
Contact information:
Eleni Klotsikas
Journalist for ARD-Radios & DW-TV
Tel: +49-30-219-66-939
Cell: 0049-178-45-765 31
www.klotsikas.de
Eleni@Klotsikas.de
I will just say one thing and then move on. Look at the links under 1,2,3 in the text. They are not Wikipedia but from various sites, like Goa hub, etc. But it is their problem, what they want to do with it. I am moving on.
Thanks a lot to all of you who shared your thoughts here.
Elni, I will soon mail you.
heights of plagiarism...
Even I was once a victim of this - that too the one copied my words is a known person and he published it in his blog as his own words!!
Prashanth, that is very interesting! It is so easy to give attribution instead of trying to pass it off as your own.
canaravideo.com is another siet which is stealing videos. they are stealing not goa video but all videos from any user. all their video is stolen but nobody say anything about them. what they doing is very bad and still thay get away with stealing videos because nobody cares
Jessy, before I saw your comment, I was not even aware of the existence of the site! Why don't you write about it?
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