MyLot does not allow certain things as discussions, and there are good reasons.
@GardenGerty (160642)
United States
August 1, 2009 6:02pm CST
This came to mind as I got a whole string of "discussions" from a really sweet user, who is going to get them all deleted. She started a bunch of discussions about recipes, and making certain things. The problem is, every one of her discussions read like a copy/paste from a lady's magazine or a cookbook. There was really nothing to discuss. That is why MyLot started deleting recipe discussions. Yes, you can talk about recipes in discussions, and even share them, but they really cannot be the main focus of the discussion. It is just too easy to copy and paste a recipe,then others will respond by saying "sounds yummy" or "that is nice, I will try it". The same principle applies to jokes as discussions. They just are not discussions in and of themselves. Neither are forwarded e mails that are cute. They are nice to share, and maybe you can think of a way to make a discussion about them, but do not press your luck. I do not want to lose points and I do not want my friends to either.
21 people like this
36 responses
@ANTIQUELADY (36440)
• United States
2 Aug 09
WHY DON'T U JUST TELL her?? she may not u are not suppose to do that. I would think she would appreciate u telling her, after all u are doing her a favor.
@GardenGerty (160642)
• United States
2 Aug 09
Guys, she has been told before, and even suspended before. I liked it much better when she posted about the things in her life like her sisters and her kittens. I can go check but it is probably too late.
4 people like this
@GardenGerty (160642)
• United States
2 Aug 09
I would have felt differently if she had put things in her own words, or added some commentary, or something, but this was so copy/paste, and I did not want to be the one reporting her.
4 people like this
@ANTIQUELADY (36440)
• United States
2 Aug 09
If she has been told then she'll just have to suffer the consequences. Guess we all can be hardheaded at times, i know i can for sure.
4 people like this
@drannhh (15219)
• United States
2 Aug 09
The other day was a myLot friend's birthday, too, and I didn't think it was a vanity post because the major part of the discussion was about relationships, but some spoil sport will probably be humorless and ding her for it, and all the friends who commented. Oh, well. I do see a lot of jokes on here and some are rather tasteless. Boggles the mind why people do that.
4 people like this
@GardenGerty (160642)
• United States
2 Aug 09
I think you can slip a post in with a recipe, or a joke or a milestone or birthday, but only if you turn them into discussions while you do it. The ability to copy and paste can be a blessing or a curse. Jokes, well, that is all my dad sends me, no personal communication, but I would not inflict them on the Lot.
3 people like this
@drannhh (15219)
• United States
2 Aug 09
I started one a while back that I didn't think was a milestone but somebody complained and said it was and it got yanked. But that was retaliation because the same person had gone after a myLot friend and I stuck up for her and this woman and two of her friends went around giving all of my old comments "-" dings until my star went 4 notches down almost overnight. But it is like the myLot staff says, their formula doesn't allow that to be permanent, and within a very short time my rating recovered. In fact it ended up higher. I don't pay a whole lot of attention to the ratings and probably wouldn't have notices except that a bunch of people PM'd me asking "What happened?"
4 people like this
@Polly1 (12645)
• United States
2 Aug 09
I have been able to sneak a few jokes and forwarded emails in. But then when I do that, I do it in a way to make a discussion about it. Sometimes the joke or story is so funny or special that I want to share it. I don't try to do it the way you described, it is too bad sometimes that we can't. It would be nice to share special recipes, not just copy and paste from another site.
4 people like this
@GardenGerty (160642)
• United States
2 Aug 09
You usually tell us why the joke or story is special to you, or the recipe. None of those things is the bulk of your posting on MyLot, either. I could tell you about my favorite pumpkin bread recipe that I got from my Mother's friend Anna, etc. and how I serve it to make it special. I do not post articles about the technique of baking pumpkin bread that is in way too perfect English to be my own words.
2 people like this
@suspenseful (40193)
• Canada
2 Aug 09
I like recipes but by the time I write them down, I have changed them a little from what they usually were (making them a bit more healthy.( and I cannot see the point of plagerizing or copying something from another source and not given credit. You know when I read the title, I thought oh no, the 'nice' people go to myLot and we cannot talk about religion or politics." Was I wrong. 
4 people like this
@GardenGerty (160642)
• United States
2 Aug 09
I fooled you, didn't I. I have been in discussions with you where we have talked about changing up a recipe to reduce fat and calories or improve nutrition, and that is okay, but not just straight from the cookbook or magazine.
1 person likes this
@rberon1985 (5359)
• Philippines
2 Aug 09
hi suspenseful [b][/b];
there is no problem if you will be posting a healthy discussion about a specific recipes. If you post your own recipe and it is copied from a magazine or a website that can be considered as plagiarizing.
there is no problem if you will be posting a healthy discussion about a specific recipes. If you post your own recipe and it is copied from a magazine or a website that can be considered as plagiarizing.2 people like this
@dragon54u (31634)
• United States
2 Aug 09
That's a shame she'll get her stuff deleted. It's a good idea to read the TOS a couple times a year. A lot of people, me included, forget some of the finer points. Did you tell her what she did wrong?
4 people like this
@GardenGerty (160642)
• United States
2 Aug 09
After deleting a couple of them from my e mail I just went ahead and deleted all the discussions I had gotten from her, must have been six or more. I felt that if I opened them up I would be obligated to report them as violations, and I just did not feel like doing it, as I knew someone else would. It made me sad, because I know she is smarter than that.
@rberon1985 (5359)
• Philippines
2 Aug 09
It is nice that you brought out this concern. This will be a big help to guide especially the newbies in the sites. Did you ever try to approach that person about the things she is doing? Did you warn her that she might be banned from the site? There are some members that is really hard to work with.But we cannot blame them. we came from different countries and we have different cultures. In this case, let mylot discover the things she is doing. It will not be loss in our part, it will be a lost in her part. again , thank you for the refresher, this is a great discussion.
4 people like this
@GardenGerty (160642)
• United States
2 Aug 09
We come from different countries, but should all read the guidelines. Discussions like this can be a reminder when you are tempted to not follow them.
1 person likes this
@desertdarlene (8910)
• United States
2 Aug 09
Yes, you are right. I mean, you can ask for suggestions for what to eat and post a recipe in a response, but you can't just post recipes. The same seems to go with jokes, too.
3 people like this
@GardenGerty (160642)
• United States
2 Aug 09
It has been that way for at least two years or more.Some people got mad and left the site when the rules went that way, but it is their right to make the rules, as they pay the bills. It is also not fair to everyone who works to make unique discussions, for others to just copy and paste from an outside source.
@TheGreatWhiteBuffalo (4822)
• United States
2 Aug 09
Your presentation like a good dish prepared with eloquent beauty drizzled with sauce and garnished to perfection brings forth the flavor of the words to be heard or read in a way that hopefully others will not ever forget as they savor the thought.
3 people like this
@GardenGerty (160642)
• United States
2 Aug 09
You put a great deal of thought into your responses and it shows. We should all put some thought into our posts. I enjoy the various responses and discussions that make me think when I am on MyLot.
2 people like this
@whiteheather39 (24403)
• United States
2 Aug 09
You are absolutely correct. A day or so ago I received a very interesting email from a myLot friend and knowing what the the rules are I searched the Internet to see if the same information was available. It was, so I opened a discussion (http://www.mylot.com/w/discussions/2088134.aspx?p=1#2_19813836) and explained what I had done.
2 people like this
@GardenGerty (160642)
• United States
2 Aug 09
Yes, it sometimes takes a little research, but you did post that information in a terrific way. For a naturalized citizen, you put us to shame,you care more about American politics than many who were born here. Thanks for coming to my discussions.
@whiteheather39 (24403)
• United States
2 Aug 09
Thank you. I love this country and it just breaks my heart to see what is happening to it.
@CraftyCorner (5600)
• United States
4 Aug 09
There are ways to indicate that which is yours in the discussion and that which is not yours in a discussion so you can avoid outright plagiarism.
*
I got this email I wanted to share with my MyLot friends. (You announce to MyLot and the world this is something you didn't write.)
*
The contents of an email that you want to share with your MyLot friends that you did not write but you do not want to be accused of Plagiarism.
*
Not the above; I put what I did not write in italics and what I did write in 'regular' text to indicate I am sharing something I got in an email. Such emails go around to dozens of recipients, and a few more eyeballs are what the senders want. Those guilty of 'copypasta' do not do the careful 'italic' pointing out of 'hello, I am sharing something of import'. Also, .jpg pics of such emails do not come out well on some computers.
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Is this acceptable? It was the general rule of thumb when I was in school.
@GardenGerty (160642)
• United States
5 Aug 09
I believe MyLot says not to share forwarded e mails. I could be wrong. The form would be correct, though, and you would not be making people think you had written it yourself.
1 person likes this
@thea09 (18305)
• Greece
2 Aug 09
Hi Garden Gerty, I knew to avoid anything that actually opens with a recipe or joke but didn't realise about the email and saw a couple like that yesterday. I'm glad I didn't respond to them now. I don't respond to anything which I have a feeling will be deleted except to a couple of friends who warn in their intros that it might be deleted, then I just take the chance.
@GardenGerty (160642)
• United States
2 Aug 09
I have done that as well. If they warn it may be deleted, and I want to show some solidarity to the cause, I do answer it. I know I will lose a point or two, but I know it going into the discussion.
@cyrus123 (6363)
• United States
2 Aug 09
Hi GardenGerty! I'm glad you started this discussion. I never have posted any recipes, myself, but it's a reminder for me not to do it. I read the rules when I first joined but I've forgotten a lot of them and I have to go back and reread them from time to time. I'm not much of a cook but would it be all right to share recipes in a pm? I hope you and your friend don't lose any points. Kathy.
4 people like this
@GardenGerty (160642)
• United States
2 Aug 09
Sure you can share recipes privately. They also work as PART of a discussion, like when I wrote about hummus. It is good to remind each other of the things we need to not do on here to keep from losing our time and posts.
3 people like this
@Sandra1952 (6047)
• Spain
2 Aug 09
I fully agree with you there. I did start telling people, in a nice way, that these sort of things weren't allowed, and I found that, as well as often getting abuse for my trouble, the post was deleted. Now I just ignore that sort of thing.
I think it's awful that some people game the system, without thought for other members. Mylot is a community first and foremost, and we shouldn't just be thinking of ourselves, but the bigger picture, and having a site we can all enjoy. I realy hope people will learn from this.
3 people like this
@GardenGerty (160642)
• United States
5 Aug 09
There were thirty six posts I received in my e mail this morning, posted in less than thirty minutes. I warned, explained, and reported.
@kennishababy (193)
• United States
2 Aug 09
you have a point, users should try to start legit conversations and not meaningless ones.
2 people like this
@GardenGerty (160642)
• United States
2 Aug 09
That is an important part of earning on MyLot. Discussions imply that there is some back and forth comment possible. You will do well with that in mind. Also, if you do not mind a pointer, make your responses as lengthy as you can for more earning power.
@twoey68 (13627)
• United States
13 Aug 09
When I first joined MyLot I wondered why they didn't allow recipes and here's what I was told. It seems they did allow them and ppl flooded the discussions with, like you said, copy and paste recipes. No one could find actual discussions to discuss. Ppl were copying them from everywhere and just pasting them one after another to make the little bit of pay and it was screwing up the whole site. MyLot put a stop to it.
Now I have posted a couple of recipes but as part of a discussion. Like one I did had the recipes for spanish donuts and mexican fruit juice...the discussion was on dishes from other lands. It was fine. Ppl need to remember that they need to have something to the discussion that ppl can actually participate in.
[b]~~AT PEACE WITHIN~~
**STAND STRONG IN YOUR BELIEFS**[/b]
1 person likes this
@GardenGerty (160642)
• United States
14 Aug 09
Your response needs to be turned into a discuso that more people can see it.
@blackbriar (9076)
• United States
2 Aug 09
I had a friend that did that last year and her account ended up being deleted because of all the discussions that called for one line or couple word responses. She also started a ton of one-liner discussions that have probably been started a zillion times already by newbies. I just delete and move on.
2 people like this
@GardenGerty (160642)
• United States
2 Aug 09
I can tell you know what I mean. I do not dislike this member, but I do not want to be lecturing her. Later we will see discussions about how her numbers went down instead of up. I just deleted them from my e mail and went to discussions that I could discuss in.
@pergammano (7682)
• Canada
2 Aug 09
Guess what, I got notification of this discussion!!!! Whoopee! I truly do feel bad if I missed participating in others!
Thank you, kindly for simplifying the guidelines....truly needed for persons like me whom are still a neophyte here! Once in a while, I do get tangled up in discussions that rile me..mostly those that take nasty pot-shots at Canadians..as I think most would, who'se heritage is being attacked! Will always try to remember your "sage" advice, dear friend!
We are still in the middle of our heat wave...now pushing two weeks...and NO relief in sight. What a strange summer, even the gardens are not liking it! Have a tranquil Sunday...take care & Cheers!
1 person likes this
@GardenGerty (160642)
• United States
2 Aug 09
Yes, this is a relatively cool summer. Not very many days in the high 90"s and 100's.I remember one summer we had 41 days over 100 in a row. Humidity is the second culprit, of course. Glad your notifications work.
@GardenGerty (160642)
• United States
2 Aug 09
We all do need to remember what is allowed and what is not. I am not always the best person around, and have gotten in places I wish I hadn't in discussions. I do not think any of us need to be bashing the other.
@pergammano (7682)
• Canada
2 Aug 09
In real life...not the cyber world...I am NOT a basher, so it only goes without saying that is not something I would do here on the internet, either! I am hoping that one of these days I may meet some of the dear friends I have made here! So, would not want to do so, carrying baggage! I guess I am mentally lazy, by nature, as I find it takes too much time and energy to squabble!
I think I read in one of your discussions you are having a COOL summer! Trade ya places. Altho' it wouldn't be hot, to a lot of persons....100+ here on the coast with so much humidity, and not being accustomed to it....unbearable!
Have a wonderful Sunday...& Cheers!
1 person likes this
@neildc (17239)
• Lapu-Lapu City, Philippines
2 Aug 09
Maybe the sweet user has no knowledge about the guidelines. There maybe no one of her friends told her that it's wrong, a violation of myLot rules and will be deleted. Is she new or old enough a member? Somebody should remind her about her wrong practice.
2 people like this
@GardenGerty (160642)
• United States
2 Aug 09
The user has had her account suspended before for similar problems, she has been here over two years. I did not want to open her discussions, but read them from my e mail, as I felt if I opened them I would be obligated to report them as abuse of MyLot guidelines. That pretty well sums up what I have answered to all the others in this discussion.
@apples99 (6556)
• United States
2 Aug 09
I see, well I've only made one or two topics about recipes I ask some members if had some good recipes for a tuna sandwich becuse at the time I really was looking for good recipes, but I haven't made many topics about recipes in fact I think it was a month ago or longer since I did that topic.
And I never copy and paste my topics I type them by hand, as you can probably tell from my bad grammar lol.
2 people like this
@GardenGerty (160642)
• United States
2 Aug 09
See, that would be a good discussion: What do you put in your tuna sandwiches? Do you cook your tuna fresh or buy cans or pouches? Have you ever tried tuna with a fruit in the salad? Also, the difference would be that you would be asking for something. These recipe postings that I saw were like little mini lectures on how to bake a cake. Nothing to talk about.
@kprofgames (3091)
• United States
2 Aug 09
I stay away from those for that very reason. They aren't supposed to be here. I know there was a rash of them a while ago - maybe last year and they were all deleted which lead to a lot of 'why was it deleted' discussions. Milestones, birthdays all of that.
I just stay away from them because know they shouldn't have been posted. I don't think NOT responding to a friends discussion means you are in risk of loosing them either.
2 people like this
@GardenGerty (160642)
• United States
2 Aug 09
No, if my friends were to delete me for not responding, I would have been gone a long time ago. Staying away from questionable discussions is a good move.
