Beware of copycats!

Plagiarism is fast becoming a big issue in the blogosphere at the moment. A lot of bloggers are complaining about being flagged by programs for having an exact same copy of their posts. I remember there was a post by Reyna Elena about this. He found out that his posts that he submitted to 3P were copied. Antedated, if I am not mistaken. Then, there’s Juliana‘s plagiarized post. With the same program. And then there’s another blogger complaining of being flagged by 3P. For the same issue. Copied post.

Those bloggers copying from another is really shameful, enriching themselves at the expense of another. I pity those who were copied from, flagged by the program and their work going to waste. I know how hard it is to come up with an entry that you have to write immediately. It’s even harder when the topic is something you are not familiar with. And then only to find out that your work is being rejected because someone else already claimed it…

To those copycats: I hope you can still sleep soundly at night knowing that you just robbed someone of their hard work!

In support of my friend…

I know this is not only confined to Filipinos. But let me rant this one in relation to my fellow citizens. Ang Pinoy ang hilig manapaw ng kapwa niya! Grabe talaga! Filipinos would love to do anything and everything just to overshadow his/her fellowman. I’ve seen this happening time and again. Instead of supporting someone who’s doing something good (or is becoming successful in what he/she does), he/she will do something just to overshadow that person. Even to the point of copying something that was originally thought of by that person! Nakakahiya sobra!

This is one of the reasons why I am amazed by how some races would support each other. Mariuca and her fellow Malaysians come to mind. They may not represent a big percentage of Malaysian bloggers, but I see them commenting on each others’ blogs, supporting the projects of each other (memes and all), and even making sure that others support them as well. I am really happy seeing that. Hats off to them!

I know we are entitled to start projects of our own. Just make sure that it is not taken from somebody else’s original idea. We should stop this crab mentality and instead should start supporting our fellowmen (as long as it’s nothing illegal). Imitation is not always the sincerest form of flattery. It can be as annoying as hell most of the time. And hurtful when you realize that you were copied!

Handy

It seems like it’s handy to have an rv if you want to go on a roadtrip. I’ve watched some shows wherein families go on a trip and they brought along their rvs with them. It’s so handy and practical! Instead of booking a stay in a hotel, where you will surely shell a lot of money including food and transportation, you need only bring your rv and you already have a place to stay at and a mode of transportation all in one! You need only find an rv park and you are good to go. I think I want one!

Exclusive holiday business invitations

Company anniversaries, product launch, special events, holiday party. These are just some of the events in a company where business partners and associates are to be invited. This is to make them a part of the business that they are supporting.

Send out Business Holiday Invitations as early as possible. RSVP. Make sure that they received the business holiday party invitations on time. And that they have the complete details about the upcoming event.

Or better yet, put it down on the holiday invitations business card itself. At Holiday-Invitations, corporate holiday invitations can be customized to include your company logo and the details of the event. You can even view the final design first using their patented instant preview features before you put your order. You are assured that they will be giving you exclusively designed business invitations. Have it printed and shipped for free. It’s that easy!

Tags: Business Events, Holidays, Invitations

Paris says goodbye

This really made me cry. Watch the video of Michael Jackson’s daughter, Paris Katherine, bidding her father goodbye.

It will genuinely touch your hearts, the way the little girl said that she just wants to tell her father how much she loves him. I really cried while watching this video. It is truly hard to lose a parent. Much more when you’ve known only one parent your whole life and have spent every waking moment with him/her. This is true in the case of Michael Jackson’s kids. They’ve been with him all the time, homeschooled, traveling to different places with him. I am sure the kids will have a tough time recovering from this tragedy. But with the help of those who really care for them (hopefully), they’ll weather this through.

Did you watch the Michael Jackson Staples Center memorial? It was live last night at ABS-CBN and other cable channels (CNN and Fox, I think). I wasn’t able to watch because I was already sleepy. But you can watch the videos and read about it at CNN.com.

Tags: Michael Jackson Staples Center memorial video, Michael Jackson's daughter teary goodbye, Video of Paris Katherine saying goodbye to Michael Jackson

EC's new algorithm

When I joined Entrecard, I didn’t expect people would drop and comment. I don’t do that when I drop as well. If I don’t feel like leaving a comment, then I don’t. There are topics that I cannot relate to. There are blog posts that seem already complete to me that I feel like leaving a comment will ruin it somehow. There are entries that move me but not enough for me to comment on it. Or there are days when I only have enough time to drop and do nothing else because I have more important things to do online. I am sure other bloggers feel the same way, have the same reasons for not leaving comments.

So it is really surprising to find out about EC’s new algorithm that they will be implementing soon. Why force me (and you) to comment or do something else within another’s blog just to earn a credit? I do believe that it is the blogger’s responsibility to entice another’s curiosity or earn their interest enough for them to become regular readers. If you do not want a high bounce rate (which I assume is the issue being addressed by EC’s Graham), then stop joining EC! The program is actually designed for a “drop and run” style. And now to remedy that, we are being forced to comment and participate in another’s blog just to earn a credit.

Read this article from Mike’s Blog Marketing Tips. More eloquent than my entry.

What do you think about this new development from Entrecard?

Tags: EC's new algorithm, Entrecard

Beauty products

I am amazed by the number of beauty products one can find in stores these days. Whenever I go to Watson’s to buy something, it seems there is a new beauty product being introduced to the market. Some are really interesting it’ll make you want to try it. We discovered a good hair product out of curiosity. A friend discovered an acne product out of curiosity as well. Hers is way too risky because if it turned out the product is not effective, she would have had a bad skin reaction.

I am wary of trying out new beauty products but when I discover that it’s really effective, I won’t hesitate telling my friends about it. What about you? Do you try out new beauty products?

Qwest bundles

It is fairly common to get a discount when you buy items by the bulk. Or when you get a packaged services. Like the ones being offered by Qwest. You can opt to subscribe to their phone service, both local and long distance, and high speed internet. You can save a lot if you opt for the bundle.

Qwest phone service offers unlimited local phone calling plans for $23.10 or less. This is a great deal for those who use their phone lines for local calls a lot. I have a friend who is a work at home mom. She accepts orders for her homemade cakes and pastries while taking care of her 1-year-old twins. It is a good part-time work for her because she can accept orders in the morning and afternoon while taking care of her twins and bake at night when both are asleep. She uses her phone for local calling a lot. Business and personal. The Qwest phone service deal is ideal for someone like her.

The Qwest high speed Internet, on the other hand, is ideal for a blogger like me or someone who spends a lot of time online. I must admit that I spend at least 80% of my time online. I blog, do some online work, and communicate with a lot of people. I can’t be using a service that will charge me for a limited time or by the minute/hour. That would be suicide for my pocket! This service from Qwest is something that I must look into.

We should be wise and shrewd when it comes to handling our finances these days. We need to be able to save as much as we can so as not to find ourselves without resources in the months to come. Check out the offers from Qwest at Bundles.USDirect.com now and see how you can take advantage of the great deals.

Last will and testament

With all the talks about Michael Jackson’s will, you are given the chance to realize that a last will and testament is very important. Regardless of how little you have, you need to be able to clearly define to whom it will be given once you are gone. It is better to be prepared for any eventuality so that the ones you will leave behind won’t have a hard time determining which is which and to whom it will be. Or worst, fight for the biggest chunk they can get from your estate.

This talk about a last will reminded me of a neighbor’s large family that he left behind. His children fought like dogs out for a large bone once he was buried. They were fighting for the house. It was determined later on that he left a last will stating that his house will be subdivided between his children and that should they continue to fight for sole possession of the house, it will be turned over to a relative that took care of him while he’s sick. That settled the issue.

Lesson learned: It doesn’t matter when you will die, or how much you will leave behind. Make sure you have a last will and testament that you will leave that clearly defines the division of your estate.

Tags: Last will and testament

Professional-looking Business Stationery

Did you just open your first business venture? How about giving out special Business Invitations and Business Announcements to potential investors, clients and affiliates? You know you should! A professional looking business stationery is necessary to carry out the task of announcing to important business associates that you are taking a risk by going into business and that you need their support. The business invitation need not be stiff. It could have a bit of the party mood since you are happy to announce the opening of your business. Or your business announcement can be really formal. It all depends on you.

Go to Announcements-Shoppe and order the invitations and cards you need. Have them printed and shipped right away if you are in a hurry. Get 10 cards more for free if you order their minimum amount required. Modify the design or color of the cards, if needed. Put in your company logo. And expect quality made cards with an exclusive design to be received by your business associates.

Tags: Announcements, Business Stationery, Invitations, Stationery Cards

Former President Corazon Aquino's fighting for her life

I am deeply saddened by the news that Former Philippine President Corazon Aquino is now fighting for her life. She’s suffering from stage four colon cancer. There are complications related to the cancer already and a 9-day prayer mass is being offered for her recovery.

Let’s all say a prayer for the former president. I pray that she won’t suffer anymore and will get to spend more time with her family.

*To read the news, click here.

Tags: Former Philippine President Corazon Aquino

Fun and unique baby shower invitations

Invitations Baby Shower

Preparing for a baby shower? Order your personalized shower invitations now. Put in the details yourself. Baby Invitations should be fun and oozing with goodwill. You are sharing your blessings to everyone and you want them to feel the same way you do. Your invitation to the baby shower should convey as much.

At Cards-411, you will be given a choice of their exclusive designs. All you need to do is choose the one you like, personalize it and view the proof after an hour. Once approved, they will have it printed and shipped (for free!) on the same day. No need to wait for days or weeks to have the actual invitations. For your shower invitation cards requirement, no need to look far and wide. Get your uniquely designed baby shower invitations only at Cards-411.com now.

Tags: Baby, Baby Showers, Birth Announcements, Pregnancy Announcements