46 responses so far ↓

• Pink // Jul 22, 2007 at 4:06 am

  sorry - I don’t know either site. To tell the truth…I’m finding them all a bit overwhelming - blogs, linkedin, facebook, my space,secondlife!

  Sheesh. I can barely keep up with my blog and personal email. I don’t want more.

  Maybe I’m just too old to get with this virtual thang. But I’m glad I can always come to your place and learn new things!
  xx
  pinks

• king // Jul 22, 2007 at 8:00 am

  I don’t think so , cause they both looks totally different.

• Andy Beard // Jul 22, 2007 at 11:41 am

  I should point out I had no financial connection at all with Blogcatalog at the time of the post you are linking to, whilst many people at that time were writing compensated reviews.

  I think one of the reasons why they eventually offered me a “thank you” was because they were receiving more feedback, ideas, and possibly traffic from the coverage I was giving them than what they initially paid for.

  I certainly wasn’t involved in the initial “cloning”

  Some of the things I have helped encourage are as highlighted, tagging (though that isn’t finished), OPML, and the removal of nofollow and redirects.

  Tagging is something Blogcatalog already had when they launched the network, but it was based upon tagging a blog, not based around tagging content.

  The tagging Blogcatalog is implementing is from the content, and clicking the links leads to related content

  MyBlogLog now has the ability for community members to tag the sites they read, but the tagging from the content isn’t used in any logical way.

  One of these days I am just going to add 1000 tags, because I know I am losing traffic by not having the tags on my page link to pages I gain a benefit from.

  The winner of the $2500 prize could well earn a lot more money for helping Blogcatalog than I do

  I look on what I might be receiving as a bonus, and I don’t believe it affects my judgement.

• Rose DesRochers // Jul 22, 2007 at 1:39 pm

  Andy were you involved in all of the recent features that they continue to clone?

• Rose DesRochers // Jul 22, 2007 at 1:40 pm

  King, they might look different in design, but not in features.

• Andy Beard // Jul 22, 2007 at 2:04 pm

  Well since my initial review back in April, I wouldn’t class anything they are doing as really cloning.

  So many social networks allow you to add links to your membership on other social networks, it is almost a given that any site will add those type of features eventually.
  Adding your latest tweet is so easy once you have the account details from a programming perspective.

  I was encouraging working with PayPerPost and the Blogger’s Choice Awards, and I don’t know whether my encouragement actually even had an effect on the outcome.

  Within hours of my post about the broadcast feature of MBL, Daniel from BC messaged me saying they had been working on something similar/better for 3 weeks, and they released it a few days later.
  Whilst BC are very fast at implementing things, I honestly believe they were working on something before MBL released their version.

  The way they now handle “shout to shout” is certainly a unique feature.

  Both sites will eventually release some kind of API, but just because one might release it sooner than the other doesn’t mean that it was cloning.

  I have been discussing an API and how community and friends data could be utilized for 6 months. If both services include some of my ideas that will be great, but I would never accuse them of cloning.

  It it is quite possible that the Blogcatalog guys might have read something written by a MBL user suggesting that they want some kind of mass broadcast.

  I think all the sites in the niche are trying to differentiate themselves, and this leads to some healthy competition in a niche that is far from saturated with the 75M bloggers out there.

• Rose DesRochers // Jul 22, 2007 at 2:15 pm

  Not hardly a quincedence Andy. I don’t believe that they working on something & if they were it was because MyBloglog leaked it somewhere.

  You sure would not want to bite the hand that feeds you now would you?

  There are just too many similarities and functions within the two sites.

  You did accuse them of cloning in your review back in April.

  I don’t see how BlogCatalog is trying to differentiate themselves at all. There are just too many similarities and I find the comment from Daniel “nowadays it seems MBL is even drawing inspiration from us.” funny.

• Andy Beard // Jul 22, 2007 at 2:29 pm

  Both sites have access to most of the same feedback in the blogosphere, there is always going to be similarities in the kind of features that are implemented.

  Currently the best implementation of tagging among the competing sites is actually on Bumpzee

  There are coincidences, they all read the same blogs, including mine.

  If I had really sold my soul to Blogcatalog, I would have created my dofollow community on a cloned version of their site. I almost tried to persuade Tony to do just that, but eventually opted for Bumpzee.

  I am still using Technorati favorites for managing OPML, and would dearly like an alternative that can manage things more extensively.
  I might have to wait for the APIs to be released to give more flexibility.

• Rose DesRochers // Jul 22, 2007 at 5:25 pm

  Andy, I realize that there is always going to be “some” similarities when services are running the same software and hearing feedback from bloggers.

  However, it appears that Blogcatalog is watching every move that Mybloglog makes and then following it. I’m not the first to comment on this.

  I also wonder if Mybloglog would threaten to remove me from their community if the tables were reversed and I was discussing the copying of Blogcatalog as that is what happening here.

  I have never said Blogcatalog does not provide a service to Bloggers. It does, just as Mybloglog and BUMPzee does.

  I would just like to see Tony take a different approach with the site and come up with something unique or add a feature before MYbloglog does.

  Maybe if he did, there would not be us commenting that it was a clone and Andy I must say, you were the first to comment on it.

  That was before they begun to put money in your wallet.

• Bob Johnson // Jul 22, 2007 at 11:20 pm

  I haven’t thought much about MYbloglog, since just starting out I have been mostly at Blogcatalog and looking the discussions, do they even have them at Mybloglog?

• Rose DesRochers // Jul 23, 2007 at 1:00 am

  Hello Bob, no that is one thing that BlogCatalog has added that Mybloglog has not added. BlogCatalog has discussions, which is much like a forum.

• Damien // Jul 23, 2007 at 1:12 am

  It seemed to me their service drew traffic to their service and their ads and did nothing to enhance the traffic to my blog. These “discussions” that are being mentioned anchor people at their site. Other items there do the same thing. I don’t use them, but then again I don’t use Feedburner or any of the social bookmarking services. They are all too hyper for me. I just try to write good content and have fun while I’m doing it. My traffic grows fastest that way. Blog Catalog got me no new traffic after several months (although my profile and neighborhood there got traffic). In short, I think they need you more than you need them. Just my opinion.

• JohnC // Jul 23, 2007 at 9:14 pm

  Hey Rose,
  Yep, I’ve been watching this since before the first comment was made. I’m also noticing the same trend…’brand protection’ in corporate speak.

  This was rehashed on a friend’s blog over a month ago, and I followed up on it on mine…honestly not wanting to take over my friend’s comment thread with Blogwar between myself…and someone claiming to be from Blogcatalog.

  I’ve seen three people so far claiming they’re them, but there’s no way to confirm this without having received a direct email from their domain. Until then, they’re smoke and mirrors, and just about any poser.

  I’ve had contact with enough people to honestly say that BC and MBL are two totally seperate animals.

  MBL offered what I wanted, quick and sweet. They’re adding as NECESSARY to the community. They also have a TOS, and leave the ‘forumming’ to the other sections of Yahoo that handle that.

  BC offers much more. They’ve got their hand in many pots, don’t have a TOS, and are a great place to start for people having an interest in ‘link love’ games. That’s not meant as a slam, honestly.

  Many of us involved with blogging have either involved ourselves with specific online communities or developed our own. BC’s got this for newbies, but AOL also had chat rooms and was considered training wheels for the internet.

  MBL’s more of the grown up, I know what I’m doing, I’m secure with who I am people.

  BC’s great for people new to blogging, needing to connect closer to other people until they get their teeth cut. That’s not to say many people ‘more mature’ in there are wrong…every community needs mentors for the mentees.

  But in the end, a Terms of Service makes everything clear for everyone. Without it…Blog Catalog…just isn’t clear.

  It’s a growing curve. It’ll probably develop…out of growth or reaction of necessity.

• JohnC // Jul 23, 2007 at 9:15 pm

  …and my short version is still
  “Blogcatalog looks like a MyBlogLog clone on people’s Blogs!”
  …if they keep arguing with that, then it shows their maturity.

• Rose DesRochers // Jul 23, 2007 at 10:04 pm

  Blogcatalog does have its place on the internet. There is no argument of that and the discussions do serve a purpose for some bloggers. Many of the discussions now are focused on Digg and stumble exchanges, which some of the members have complained about.

  My active participation in the forums did generate some traffic to my blog, however I’m done participating in the forums due to the site owner accusations.

  It is noted that the accusations came after I made this post.

  It is ironic that as soon as I raised these points I was shunned by some of the BlogCatalog community and by the staff.

  I was even recently attacked on Andy’s blog by one blogger who referred to me as “SourPuss.”

  I was not the first to note the “Terms of Service.” It was actually suggested to them by another member of BlogCatalog in the discussion area 3 days ago. The funny thing is that Tony, Daniel, BlogCatalog’s Lead Programmer and nine who is suppose to work for Blog Catalog in both design and consultation all read that discussion. Not one of them replied to GrimlyFiendish’s suggestions of adding a Terms of Service.

  As the member pointed out to the BlogCatalog team “It is also necessary for a site to have a set of terms and conditions to protect itself against comments posted that may be deemed as libelous, incitement to racial/religious hatred/ promotion of terrorism and breach of copyright etc.”

  Well, what can you do? It is Blogcatalog’s butt on the line should anything ever result from not having a Terms of Service in place or a Privacy Policy and if they want to turn on me for pointing out the obvious then so be it.

  You’re right, that the network part of it still looks like a clone. That could be because of the software, but they really should make more modification to it and not be so quick to add features right after MBL. I think that is what users are noticing.

• Rose DesRochers // Jul 23, 2007 at 10:29 pm

  Scratch my above reply about them not replying. Tony has now replied to the fact that there is no terms of service. He agreed with a fellow commenter who said “I expect to see some “Terms and Conditions” here as the new version of BlogCatalog matures and becomes clearer about its identity. I just don’t think it’s at the top of their “to do” list.”

  Accuse me for my ignorance, but I thought it was already clear on its identity. Is it not suppose to be a social network for bloggers?

  Blogcatalog was purchased in Jan. They have had six months to add a Terms of service and privacy policy. They added the discussion forums April 26th.

  They are the only network without a Privacy policyand Terms. Both MBL and Bumpzee has one.

  I think it should be on the top of the to do list.

• JohnC // Jul 23, 2007 at 10:33 pm

  I’ve yet to see minors with CGI forums on their clan game sites NOT have a TOS.

  Personally I don’t have one on my ‘professional’ site, due to being able to edit EVERY contribution before it’s posted publicly. When I do permit individuals to take on ‘editor’ roles for me, it’ll be up there for sure.

• Damien // Jul 23, 2007 at 11:07 pm

  Interesting post I got into at dereksemmler.com the comments like this one at in which the “only coder” by his own admission at Blog Catalog gets all pissy and defends them requiring linkback bait.

  Link Bait at Blog Catalog

• Dane // Jul 24, 2007 at 12:33 am

  I can’t comment too much on the main topic at hand. I really don’t use either much at all, and haven’t used MBL at all in, must be 6 or 7 months now.

  I was already leaning away from MBL, and went ahead and just dropped it after the first big spam scandal.

  I installed the Blog Catalog widget on my site for about a week, but everyone who came to my blog and did anything was already listed in the BUMPzee widget, so I took the widget off.

  I’m keeping the membership at BC for now and logging in and looking around occasionally to see if anything interesting is happening. But if they are offering a mass communicator, I’m pretty reluctant to make friends and join communities. I get enough of that sort of thing without signing up for it like that.

  One thing I’d definitely like to say here is that if Andy says he had no idea they were working on a broadcaster, then he didn’t know. Had he known, I’m pretty sure he would have advised them against it, since he was very critical of the one released at MBL.

  Andy’s really a stand up guy and in my experience you can take him at his word.

• Derek // Jul 24, 2007 at 12:22 pm

  As Damien mentioned, I wrote a post on the link bait at BC (post linked above, lol) and Daniel did visit my site and get a bit defensive. To his credit though, he did stick around and join the discussion.

  The method that BC uses to verify blog ownership bothers me and I provided a few alternatives to Daniel and he said it is on their list of things to change.

  When they had their problems with losing data, I lost all of the friends and neighborhoods that I had added and that really kind of shot my motivation to use them much. I have enjoyed the Discussions area from time to time but don’t spend too much time there anymore.

  As such, I really had not seen the problems you have encountered but did see one comment there about discussions being deleted. It does seem that BC is playing catch-up with MBL and providing many of the same features.

  Right now I would agree that they are more or less a clone of MBL (except for the discussions) and only time will tell if that remains the same.

• Rose DesRochers // Jul 24, 2007 at 2:40 pm

  Derek this comes as a bit of shock to me especially after you just had coffee with Tony & Angelica. They appear to often be on the defensive.

  I’m glad to see that they are now adding a Terms of Service, however Tony is yet to apologize to me for his accusations.

  You are not the only one to mention the linking. I found it noted on a couple of blogs.

  Until recently the link offered on profiles at BlogCatalog was no follow until Andy persuaded them to change that. The other link they offer is a redirect using onclick Java that bots can not crawl.

  They are suppose to be a social networking site yet are asking for a link back for every blog submitted. There are other ways to claim ownership without unfair link exchanging.

  Just My opinion.

• Rose DesRochers // Jul 24, 2007 at 2:52 pm

  Dane, you are free to your opinion of Andy and I have nothing against the guy. I just question a few things.

  July 6th, Blogcatalog announced their broadcast feature. June 29, Mybloglog released theirs.

• Andy Beard // Jul 24, 2007 at 3:04 pm

  Just some thoughts on the linking

  Previously Blogcatalog didn’t require links, and the site was generally full of junk blogs.

  I gave them a link anyway from my resources page which is in severe need of an update

  That isn’t a sitewide link

  These days a link has to be visible to pass a human review. That link probably wouldn’t be noticed, but I am sure would pass a 2nd review if you contact them pointing it out.

  You can easily just add a link that only gets displayed on your home page

  Even better is just to use one of the javascript widgets, and even that doesn’t have to show on every page.
  You could just add a voting widget, or a visitors widget.

  You could also probably write a post to say you have signed up with Blogcatalog, include a link to them, and ensure it was extremely visible until you were finally included.
  That is effectively the Technorati claim method.

  As far as I can see, there is no reason why you couldn’t stick a nofollow on the link.

  The suggestion in Derek’s thread was to use a metatag, or a unique file, but Wordpress.com users would be excluded from the first option, and Blogspot users from the second.

  If you actually think about this, and then apply it to every blogging option, the linkback is the best option.

• Andy Beard // Jul 24, 2007 at 3:16 pm

  The nearest proof I can offer regarding the timing is the screenshot I used for “shout-to-shout” in the following post

  http://andybeard.eu/2007/07/blogcatalog-updates.html

  That shows I did have a conversation with Daniel from BC on 30th June.

  If the contents of that conversation were still available, I would honestly ask Daniel to give me permission to publish them without the smudging, but I don’t have a copy of it with smudging.

  That was the message he sent me stating they have had a similar system in development for 3 weeks.

  That message was sent to me after my review of the MBL messaging system, in fact it was sent just a few hours after the published reviews, but didn’t contain any specific information about how their system would be less intrusive.

• Derek // Jul 24, 2007 at 3:29 pm

  Rose, I think you’re confusing me with Derrich as I know he has met with the folks at BC before. I’m nowhere near them geographically and have never met any of them.

• Rose DesRochers // Jul 24, 2007 at 4:35 pm

  Now I feel like a dumb brunette. I do believe that you are correct. My apologies? Opps!

• Rose DesRochers // Jul 24, 2007 at 4:43 pm

  Andy, that does show you had a conversation but it does not show that it was not leaked somewhere and it does not show that they just did not add it after BC. Do we really know that they were working on it for three weeks? I’m not sure what you are going on regarding linking. They could ask people to verify blogs the way Bloglines and Technorati does?

• Adam // Jul 24, 2007 at 6:01 pm

  Really interesting topic. As you noted, I wrote a review sometime back but that was quite short as compared to yours which is more detailed. Anyway, I am a member of both social networks and it’s interesting to note (from the Widget on my sites) that a lot of members who are on MBL are on BC but not vice versa.

• Oscar // Jul 24, 2007 at 11:25 pm

  The whole broadcast thing was originally modeled after myspace bulletins not mybloglogs model…

  Because of this, there were no emails going out at all when someone posted a bulletin originally. In my opinion it should have stayed that way but I was out numbered by numerous emails and even the post by Andy and that everyone has read that basically asked for the emails.

  So we added it and made sure to add the biggest OPT out button possible.

  If we had released the broadcasts a week earlier I think people would have seen that connection more than the connection that most people make now which is that its based off of the mybloglog version.

  In the end its all the same feature. How does the mybloglog feature differentiate from the myspace feature added years ago? Just the fact that it sends out emails as far as I can tell.

  To say that blogcatalog has adapted ideas from social communities is obvious but in all reality most ideas were inspired by social networks other than mybloglog such as myspace, lastFM, and twitter…

• Rose DesRochers // Jul 24, 2007 at 11:47 pm

  Oscar (Nine) thank you for joining the discussion.

  I realize that BlogCatalog is new on the social-networking scene and I think that Blog Catalog needs to keep in mind that a lot of new users may be turning to them for advice.

  The way that they have handled things over the past week looks really bad on Blogcatalog’s part.

  It was noted by three people including myself that there was no Terms of Usage.

  Tony drafted up a Terms, requested feedback only to deactivate my account when that feedback was given.

  He also pointed out my websites Privacy Policy confusing it with terms, which makes him look incompetent.

  It also looks bad when you are adding new features shortly after Mybloglog adds theirs.

  I know there will be close similarities in all blogging networks, but it is not hard to see that BlogCatalog is paying close attention to Mybloglog.

• Oscar // Jul 25, 2007 at 9:22 am

  Well obviously we are paying close attention to ALL social networks / competitors. That is part of my job in particular.

  The other part is that I get emails everyday asking for this feature or that feature… usually a person visits a website somewhere else and says, hey how come you guys don’t have (fill in the blank) like these other guys.

  If its useful and enough people are asking for it of course we are going to add it and I think we would be foolish not to.

  My job is to listen to the users, listen to their needs and try to implement them so that they come back again and again. I think that is also part of what people enjoy about blogcatalog… if someone says they need something we jump right on it, evaluate its usefulness and put it into our list of priorities.

  Mybloglog and blogcatalog are incredibly similar in their services and I think you will see that the two companies will continue to release similar features for a long time to come. Its just the way competition and the industry works. Especially companies who are primarily driven by their their users such as ours.

  I think its also easier to draw up comparisons between the two companies simply because they are so closely related (market wise). For example the reason that we use the word neighborhoods or neighbors isn’t because we were looking for a new word for mybloglog’s communities. It was because originally I had never heard of mybloglog (having not been a serious blogger myself at the time) and my experience was with other social networks, in this case I was looking at Last.FM

  Last.FM tracks your recent music and then suggests to you other people who have similar tastes. They call these people your neighbors. I thought it would be great if users could bookmark their favorite blogs and then we could compare that with other blogs and help them discover neighbors who have similar blog tastes as their own.

  I mean I understand why people think its a rip off from mybloglog but friends, favorites, shoutbox, there is nothing new here that hasn’t been seen a thousand times before.

  Are we going to be releasing features after mybloglog in the future? Probably, we really only have one programmer and don’t really have the resources to implement a new feature and debug it as fast.

  In some ways our small staff gives us an advantage because we are able to make a decision and start production on something faster but when you only have one person working on future product development, maintenance, and administration it will always take us longer to get something working and functioning flawlessly.

  Really we’re just a couple of regular people who are trying to do their best to add features that our users ask for. I have a list of 10 pretty major features that daniel and I will be going through later this week. You may see a couple before the month is over and others may not be for a month or two to come. The goal is to get as many out of the way as possible before I have to start sorting through the BIG idea challenge emails pouring in.

  In the end, my answer is yes… blogcatalog IS paying close attention to mybloglog and blogcatalog will continue to pay close attention to mybloglog. They are successful for a reason and they will continue to succeed as they continue to release great services. Blogcatalog is the little fish trying to play catch up right now but as the gap between features begins to get closer I think you will see the same types of innovations and services from both companies continue to cater to bloggers needs.

• Rose DesRochers // Jul 25, 2007 at 1:33 pm

  Oscar if your job is to listen to your users then please explain to me why my account was deactivated? I made suggestions for you to add a terms of service. I then suggested for you to change one line in your proposed terms after Tony requested feedback from members.

  My suggestion was met with a negative attitude that basically told me if I did not like it I could go else where. Shortly after my account was deactivated. I now see that you have added my suggestions to your proposed terms.

  Oscar, honestly I don’t believe that you have all this email pouring it with suggestions of change and if there are suggestions of change it most likely came from the contest you are holding. If memory serves me right you only have two entries so far for that contest.

  Well, thanks for replying. It was a nice song & dance on your part.

• Oscar // Jul 25, 2007 at 3:01 pm

  Where did you see two entries? On the discussions? Users are asked to send all entries to our admin email. I know that a very large number of entries were sent in last week while I was on vacation. This week I have been seeing 3 to 5 a day coming in from different users.

  Your comment though seems as though you are attacking my credibility personally. You are suggesting that I am making all of this up, trying to pretend that I came up with new features while I was intentionally trying to take credit for the ideas sent in by other users.

  I guess the truth is that I COULD take the time to pull up emails and files, conversations and timestamps. I could fly to your home with my computer under my arm and show you in person what I have been working on and do my best to prove to you unequivocally that what I am saying is true but you have obviously made up your mind… about me in particular.

  I have never attacked you, demeaned you, nor lied to you and I am not really sure why you are making it your goal to personally call me out on your blog and call me a liar.

  I have not commented on the TOS or the fact that you were banned because I was the only person in the room who voted to keep you on the website. I saw no problem with your comments or suggestions other than most seemed as though you were trying to get a “rise” out of particular people and they did the same back

  Unfortunately when it came time to vote, I was the only one who voted against removing you.

  Even now I do not regret my vote although I do feel slightly betrayed by the fact that despite the fact that I have done nothing to discredit you or even argue with you you seem to have it out for me.

  I have no other comment regarding your removal of the website nor the TOS issue because neither of those subjects have anything to do with me.

  What does bother me is that despite doing my best to accept and defend you on numerous occasions I am met with cynicism and my comments regarded as lies with no proof of any type to back them up.

  Maybe you are right, I can sing and dance all day long and do my best to do right by others but in the end if someone is out to get you then nothing you can say will ever matter.

  I apologize for your situation rose, and I wish you nothing but the best in the future. I do not see any point in commenting any further as you have proven constantly that you do not trust me or what I have to say.

  You may believe whatever you would like about myself or blogcatalog, You are obviously titled to your opinion. If anyone out there reading has any questions feel free to send me an email or give us a call anytime.

• Rose DesRochers // Jul 25, 2007 at 4:11 pm

  Correction it was three entries. Six days ago Tony stated “So far we have 3 entries. At this point any one who enters has an excellent chance of winning $2,500.”

  Therefore, it was his comments which lid me to question you Oscar. I have no problems with you.

  I never said that you were taking credit for the ideas sent in by other users. I suggested that the BlogCatalog team in a whole takes credit for ideas sent in. You also copy other sites and you have admitted that.

  I thank you for your vote not to remove me and I thank you for being the only calm, respectful, polite one out of the bunch. I do apologize if I have insulted you in any way. Your reply did sound like a song and dance, but that was only my interpretation of it.

  Again, nothing personal!

• Ritu Pant // Sep 12, 2007 at 1:44 pm

  If BlogCatalog is a clone of MyBlogLog then Google being MSn is a clone of Yahoo, MySpace is a clone of Facebook, Limewire is a clone of Kazaa, Open Office Suite is a clone of MS Office, Mac is a clone of PC, Mac OS is a clone of MS OS, and we all humans are a clone of each other as we all have similar functions.

  BlogCatalog is a community of its own. Sometimes you see things and learn and try to incorporate that to yours. BC cant be referred to as a clone at all.

• Rose DesRochers // Sep 12, 2007 at 2:19 pm

  Rita you certainly have the right to your opinion, however every feature they have implemented has been features that MyBlogLog has.

  BlogCatalog has even admitted to getting their inspiration from MyBlogLog and I wonder if MyBlogLog has a profile on BlogCatalog as BlogCatalog is a member of MyBlogLog.

  BlogCatalog has no ideas of their own. When they are not copying MyBlogLog they are asking their members for ideas to implement or they asking Andy whom they pay.

  All BlogCatalog did when they purchased the site was add the PHPizabi social networking platform and copy from MBL.

  It might be a community of its own, but it is a clone.

• Techfun // Sep 12, 2007 at 5:38 pm

  
  Playing devil’s advocate here but I think we are looking at Parallel Evolution. (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Parallel_evolution)

  Once upon a time there were no blogs. At that time there was no need for websites to support bloggers. Now that there are blogs, and sites to support bloggers, its logical that they would look like clones.

  The “clone” factor here reflects a very close similarity of USERS in the form of bloggers. The Users drive the shape a site like MBL or BC take, not the owners, management, or even the IT team.

  Calling the site a clone is just silly, instead you should call the users clones since they are the reason behind the similarity of the sites.

• Rose DesRochers // Sep 12, 2007 at 5:48 pm

  Hello Techfun, thank you for commenting. I’m not referring to the similarity of users. I’m referring to the similarity in functions. Your comment makes me wonder if you read my post or just the title.

• Vishnu // Sep 12, 2007 at 11:09 pm

  So, as you maintain, BlogCatalog has copied each and every single feature found in MBL, and continues to do so and hence is a clone. Did I get the gist of your argument?

  My question is “So what?”

• Rose DesRochers // Sep 12, 2007 at 11:47 pm

  Vishnu, if you don’t care why have you bothered to comment?

• creative fossil // Mar 13, 2008 at 9:55 am

  I was recently banned from blogcatalog after complaining about a member slandering and harrassing me. This wouldn’t happen at mybloglog, I am certain sure of that!

• creative fossil // Mar 14, 2008 at 8:17 am

  Hi ya check out my new blog here

  http://www.blogcatalog1.blogspot.com

  Bringing it all together re the bullying, bias and unfair moderation.

• Jim // Apr 12, 2008 at 9:42 am

  This is just like how blogging fusion is coping the description of blog catalog word for word.

• Rose DesRochers // Apr 12, 2008 at 12:35 pm

  Jim, word for word? Do you have trouble reading?

  Blog Catalog reads “Blog Catalog is the premiere social blog directory on the internet. Whether you’re looking to promote your own blog or find blogs on various topics, this site is for you.”

  Blogging Fusion reads “Blogging Fusion Blog Directory is a premiere blog directory on the internet. We have (1565 blogs) submitted and growing rapidly. We help bloggers get more exposure. Whether you’re looking to promote your own blog to increase revenue, backlinks, readership or improve your search engine visibility, this blog directory is for you.

  Submit your blog today and increase your traffic & exposure. Blogging Fusion Blog Directory is search engine friendly and updated often.”

  That doesn’t sound like word to word to me, unless you are referring to the “premiere directory” part. ROFL A search in Google will return lots of premiere directories on the internet.

• Shawn DesRochers // May 30, 2008 at 12:31 pm

  BlogCatalog has no originality, we didn’t take anything from them are wording is just that - its our own and has been since 2006 when we launched our blog directory.

  Perfect example BlogCatalogs 4.0 new home page description…

  It is almost identical to ours once again, yet “Jim“ you claim we took it from them?

  How since ours has been the same since we launched in November of 2006. That’s almost 2 years ago.

  BlogCatalog needs to get their own ideas and stop copying from MyBlog Log and other related directories.

  If they want success then they need to think of something unique on their own and stop borrowing ideas and descriptions from other websites.

  Simply pathetic

  Shawn DesRochers

• Rose DesRochers // May 30, 2008 at 4:03 pm

  Shawn those can’t do copy and Phil Weaver pointed out that their links were not passing juice.

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