If you're going to copy my discussion, at least do it properly

Hello, Pikey. Thanks for making me smile again. It doesn't really matter in the big scheme of things, but it is annoying. BTW, did you realise that if you eat all the members who copy discussions, MyLot will slim down drastically, but you will probably explode through eating so much junk?

P1kef1sh, I have had that happen where another user and I posted a discussion on an event that happened as soon as we heard about it in the news. We must have been typing at the same time, because we both checked and no discussions had been done on the subject and within minutes of each other we both had a discussion about the same event. Fortunately, we had each addressed it in a different manner, so it really was not a duplicate discussion. Even so, we thought it was funny that we had done the same topic at the same time and still managed to have our own way of approaching the subject. The other member even PM'd me when they realized what had happened, so that I would not only be aware of their discussion but also realize that they had not copied my idea. I really appreciated the fact that they took the time to PM me about the issue so that there would not be any misunderstandings.

Hello again, Purple. That's great that they PM'd you, and the fact that you approached the same topic from different angles also shows that you're both original thinkers. Nothing wrong with that at all.

Hello, Java. Thanks for your backing up above. It's fairly obvious she hasn't read the guidelines, or she'd know I'm not just having a fit of pique here. What's really annoyed me is that the other poster is passing on flawed information. It doesn't take a genius to work out that you can't possibly eat 20oz of red meat on a diet and expect to lose weight. I always try to come up with something original, or a different angle on an existing discussion. It's not rocket science, is it?

Heathnic, I really don't like the way you're putting yourself across here, and neither do other people, from the responses coming in. Nobody's attacking you - you set yourself up with remarks which i suppose you thought were clever, but you must realise by now were not. As for your 'mood swings' comment, I suppose you thought that was funny as well. Don't be surprised if you offend more people with your attitude.

Hello, Purple. I have a pretty distinct writing style as well. This particular discussion title just speaks about cabbage, so I guess she thought it wouldn't get spotted. She hasn't got that many responses, but what really annoys me is that the link is to one of the poor imitation diets, whereas mine links to an article about adapting the original Cabbage Soup Diet. I hate it when people post incorrect information. I'll let you know if it goes.

Purple, just to let you know the other discussion has been deleted, so obviously admin considered it was copied as well. As you say, I don't want my credibility compromised. I'm certainly happy it's gone, as one or two people seemed to think I was over reacting. They obviously haven't had the same thing happen to them.

Sandra - I can see how it would be even worse if they copied your discussion and then gave incorrect information, too. That might make people think that you also had incorrect information, which could make people question your credibility as well as the credibility of the person that copied the information. Perhaps they thought that if they linked to different information, then it would not be considered copying or at least not plagiarizing, so they might have thought that it was alright, which obviously it is not. Alice, I am not sure exactly why the second one got more responses than my original one. Perhaps the user has more friends, since they have been here longer and have a substantially higher post count. I would think that would make the copying worse not better, though. I know that their version was a lot more condensed than mine, even though they used some of the exact wording that was in mine, especially the questions at the end of the discussion, although that too was re-phrased and did not ask as many questions. I guess the people that responded did not want to read as much, so this person's discussion was easier to read and respond to. The thing that gets to me the most, though, is that this person had more than twice the number of responses that I had and only responded to four. I responded to every single person that commented on my discussion, and some I responded to several times with back and forth interaction. I guess that really does not matter to most people on here, although I do find it valuable to interact with other people in discussions, especially the ones that I start.

Hello, Cerebellum. That's interesting - a restaurant selling the soup. I love to cook, so it's not a problem for me. Any particular reason why you've never started a discussion? Do you just enjoy responding, or are you worried people may not like your discussions? I'm sure you could come up with something interesting. I'm just curious, that's all.

I have thought of starting a discussion, but I can't think of anything that would be of interest to anyone else. I enjoy responding to other discussions, and that seems to take a lot of time. I just respond to the list of my intrests and my friends. I have never seen the discussion you were talking about. It is possible the other person didn't either. Starting a discussion that mirrors another one is one of the reasons I haven't started any. I was told you should read all the discussions prior to starting one, to make sure that topic wasn't already discussed. I don't usually even go to the list of discussions.

Thanks for the tip..it drives me batty sometimes when I can't get the links to work. I told hubby I was starting a diet and he rolled his eyes and said Here we go again..lol I guess he does that because I am a yo-yo with dieting I guess. I lose, I gain, I lose, I gain..never ending battle.

Hello, Becca. The link didn't work, but I pasted the address into the browser. It's the same version used in the other discussion. Quick tip, courtesy of Lamb. If you want to post a link, put it at the bottom. I'll put a link to my other discussion to show you. You need a colon and a space before the web address. I've put a link to the soup recipe and diet I used over there. It's very tasty - even my husband likes it, and he's very difficult to please. Link: http://www.mylot.com/w/discussions/2224747.aspx

Hello again Becca. Yes, I have a weight problem, and have to keep on top of it. I wish I'd been born naturally thin! Oh well, I suppose we're a lot more aware of the healthy options than someone who doesn't have to watch their weight. Good luck.

Hello, Whiteheather. Plagiarism doesn't have to be copied word for word. Almost everyone else who responded thought it was copied as well, and I've noticed that this person has copied other discussions, so I'm pretty sure of my facts. I'd say nothing otherwise. The link will work in a discussion as long as it's posted at the end of the text, with a colon and a space ahead of the web address. I've posted a couple of links successfully this way, so it's not a MyLot glitch, it's just a matter of doing it right.

Clearly they didn't think, but now they know better....

Hello, Dawn. Yes, it's great when your friends come in to support you, isn't it? Copying word for word is really silly, though. Do they not stop to think? No, they probably don't ...

Hello, Jessp. Yes, that amount of meat would certainly clog everything up, wouldn't it? Lots of people bought out imitations of the Cabbage Soup Diet, but the original is the best - as with discussions.

Hello, Mysticmaggie. Yes, I started off angry, now I pity someone who needs to do this. I'm just thankful that I can think things up for myself without having to steal ideas from others. I'm over it now - I've had my say and moved on.

I have toggled along and put my two pennorth worth in my dear, must say most bizarre attitude.

Hello, Thea. Yes, 20oz is about 550grams, I think. Doesn't surprise me that Solarpanel copied - a lot of his responses sound as if they've come from somewhere other than his tiny mind. The discussion's gone now, so admin obviously agreed with me. Still, I shouldn't grumble - I've had about 40 quality responses to this discussion, and a few more on the Cabbage Soup one, so she's done me some good and herself none at all. Talking of quality responses (not) check out boxes 15 and 16 - unbelievable attitude!

Hello, Thea. Did you enjoy the sun today? We had a lovely day as well, and I got sunburned - in January! The response box has gone, but Lamb's put down is still there in the next one. Saw your response on your profile page as I was stalking you to see what you've been up to today. Thank you.

Hello, Maria. I wouldn't mind if it was a few weeks down the line, but I only posted mine on Monday. I wouldn't want people to look at that one and then think because that information was wrong, mine was as well. She's actually said she didn't copy it, but then she would, wouldn't she?

Hello, Cutie, and welcome to MyLot. As you say, we each have our own way of expressing ourselves, and our own experiences and ideas to bring to MyLot, so there's plenty of fodder for discussions, without copying from other people. Apart from anything else, it's against the site guidelines. Oh well, these things are sent to try us. I've calmed down now, although I'm still not very happy about it.

Some people likes to lean things the hard and shameless way.

Hello, balasri. I agree with you - it's pathetic. The copied discussion has gone now, so let's hope she realises it doesn't do any good in the long run.

Well Sandra that is what I thought to how can they be so stupid to copy and paste something so obvious lol I agree with you that it was not a coincident and good on you for not letting her get away with it either

Hello, Gabs. That's a bit daft, copying your Gissi ones, because they're out there on their own, and so obvious copies. These cheats always get found out in the end, don't they? I wasn't just going to let it pass, as no way was it a coincidence.

Hello, hardworkingmom. Yes, the diet has been around for a while. The link below will take you to the recipe and give some hints on adapting the diet to suit yourself and your circumstances. Good luck with it. Link: http://www.helium.com/ite...

Sorry, the first link's not working. Try this: Link: http://www.helium.com/items/1016240-how-to-follow-the-cabbage-soup-diet

ya, I have heard that people have copied here. It just doesn't make a lot of sense. You'd think it'd take as much time and effort to copy a discussion as it would to just come up with your own. you did report this, right?

Yes, I did report it. I agree with you there. It doesn't take long to start a discussion once the idea is there, so why bother looking for ones to copy? Doesn't make sense to me, but then I think I'm fairly normal - although others may disagree.

Hello, Sid. No, I don't think it was coincidence. From the wording of the posting, she hadn't done the diet herself. And if she'd followed the diet on the link she posted, she'd have gained weight. The original Cabbage Soup Diet is low in protein, but this version had 20oz of meat on one day. People do copy ideas - Dawn has even had discussions copied word for word. I really can't understand it.

thats what happened to me once. when i was new here also. i wonder if its the same "old timer" that does this to newbies? they had more friends then me and i could not figure at that time why they got so many more responses. i know now. i done a discussion about chain emails. two days later theirs was in the digest i got. at first i thought it was mine, then noticed it wasnt. i looked at when it was posted and it was the day after mine. i just left it go, being new i did not know what to do.

Hello, Bunnybon. It's always worth reporting, because if somebody keeps doing it and getting away with it, it's cheating the honest members on here. The copied discussion has gone now, so admin agreed with me.

Hello, Doryvien. Yes, I've calmed down now, and I suppose you have to accept that these things will happen. It's just so annoying when they do, especially when they don't check on their facts before posting.

You have real problems there, don't you? Yes, it does work, and you're never hungry, which is a bonus. Glad you haven't had a discussion copied - it's not nice. At least it's gone now, so admin obviously agreed with me.

Hiya Sandra, No not problems just keep away from Cabbage that´s all and the herbs do them when they´ve all gone out to work. At least I can do something in peace and quiet.