"I find it so mind numbing that here we are living in one of the most wonderful countries in the world and people are just throwing their lives away by being slaves to content on a monitor."

Posted by Aron Head at 10:16 AM CST

Updated: Saturday, 24 November 2007 10:34 AM CST

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Recently I blogged about how Dallas.IsMyHome.Com and how a number of other iMH city sites hadn't been updated in days and in some cases months.  You may recall that I was fired after two weeks from Dallas.IsMyHome.Com and since then have been rather critical of both the blog site and the blog boss who sacked me.  The Wife has encouraged me to drop it, but I'm a dog with a bone.

Well let me tell you, tenacity pays off.

Today, I received a note from one of the folks over at iMH who shared some interesting items with me.

The leadership at iMH has changed.  Mr. Peralty, the guy who told me they were computerizing and wouldn't be needing me anymore, will no longer be overseeing the IsMyHome blogs. 

The person who contacted me from iMH asked not to be directly quoted but stated that I could share the following from our conversation:

"The people directly running iMH are different and perhaps some interesting things will unfold."

There was agreement that my last post concerning iMH was right on - local blogs without frequent updates might as well be dead.

I think there's a lot of opportunity with local blogs, but they require committed, local writers able to build community and develop an audience to make that happen.

I wish the managment at iMH all the best.  I look forward to the new day dawning at IsMyHome.com.

Aron Head
www.EvilBastard.net

Posted by Aron Head at 5:50 PM CDT

Updated: Saturday, 27 October 2007 1:30 PM CDT

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Okay, maybe that's not breaking news, but I find it interesting that as I write this Dallas.IsMyHome.Com hasn't had a new entry in six days.  How much traffic is that drawing to your site, Dave?

Also in the rapidly unravelling IsMyHome network, the other cities are lagging behind on their blogs:

• Nothing new in Nashville since September 21st;
  
• Houston hasn't had a new entry since August 6th; and
  
• Columbus hasn't posted since July.

Nice site you're running there, Mr. Peralty.

Aron Head
www.EvilBastard.net 

Posted by Aron Head at 8:35 PM CDT

Updated: Saturday, 27 October 2007 1:37 PM CDT

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I'm conflicted.

Dallas.IsMyHome.com, my former employer, has posted what appears to be a news release from the Pappas Bros. Steakhouse.  I can't find the news release on their website, but I found the exact same article over on Pegasus News.  It really does read like a press release.

In fact, Pegasus sites their source as Pappas Bros. 

Now then,  press releases are designed to be reproduced and shared - verbatim if at all possible - by news outlets.

Here's my question and my quandry: Is it ethical to brand it as your own?

Because that's what blogger Raine has done over at Dallas.IsMyHome.com.  At the top of the entry it reads "Author: Raine" and nowhere in the article does it indicate that what you're reading is a press release.

My gut tells me that this is wrong. 

I was taught in my journalism classes that anytime you take someone else's words and brand them as your own, that's stealing.  You know, kind of like when Raine posted entries from the Dallas Observer and the Associated press as her own?  I am pleased to see that those articles have since been re-written and no longer reflect stolen content.  Truly, I applaud this.  Although... I don't recall seeing an apology posted on the blog apologizing to the readers for exposing them to stolen content, but I'm sure someone is working on that.

It's been more than a month since I informed the management there of the plagiarism -- and, y'know, got fired for my ethics.

Bloody ethics.

Anyway, I may be over reacting to the press release issue.  It just seems a bit shifty.  And from my experience that fits for Dallas.IsMyHome.com.  

Aron Head
www.EvilBastard.net

Posted by Aron Head at 10:09 PM CDT

Updated: Saturday, 27 October 2007 11:35 PM CDT

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You may recall that I was recently fired from Dallas.IsMyHome.com under what I would characterize as rather ridiculous circumstances.  Site Manager David Peralty had this to say a few days ago over on his own blog:

"...I have been working on isMyHome as much as possible. I find the project very difficult, much more than I thought it would be. Managing people takes skill and that is something that I don’t have naturally..."

'Can't help but agree with you there, Dave.

But I don't want to curse your darkness, sir.  No, I want to light a candle and in that vein here are some helpful tips for you from my more than twenty years of experience in managing people:

1. Mean what you say, say what you mean.  If you tell an employee he is valued, act like it.  Treat him well.  By the same token tell the employee who's on thin ice, that freezing death awaits if he doesn't straighten up.  Soon.
   
2. Expect the best from your staff.  Reward good behavior.  Correct the bad.
3. When unethical behavior is identified, take immediate steps to ensure it doesn't happen again.
4. Don't fire the employee that points out the unethical behavior of others.  This is generally seen as common sense, but the facts in evidence indicate otherwise...
5. If plagiarizing writers are what you're looking for, advertise for such.  By the way, did you know you still have stolen articles on your site?

'Hope this helps! 

Aron Head
www.EvilBastard.net

Posted by Aron Head at 11:57 PM CDT

Updated: Saturday, 27 October 2007 11:43 PM CDT

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Yesterday's post had a few comments I wanted to respond to and since I know some folks blow right on by the COMMENTS section, I brought 'em into their own entry on the main blog.

Jus Wunderin chose to advocate for the dark side: 

"is it just me or does it seem like there is one voice missing in this debate?  i scrolled back to the beginning of the dallas blog and it was only raine posting from about mid-june.  based upon what david was telling you, what is it that they could have been telling her?  if she's been involved since day 1 and is the editor, she would have the right to modify postings.  sorry to be devils advocate but just tossing in my opinion since i've been accused of stuff i haven't done in the past and it sucks."

You make a good point, Mr. Wunderin.  When David Peralty gave me the job, he made a comment in his email stating, "We require at minimum 25 posts a month from the editor."

Because I assumed David was the editor, I asked for some clarification around this term.  He responded with, "Yes, you would be an editor."

I gathered from this that both Raine and I were editors.  Neither of us were the editor.  We were just editors together, I guess.  I think it's some awkward terminology to be honest.

You also are correct to wonder what they were telling her.  David Peralty never indicated that he was unhappy about what I was reporting to him.  As illustrated earlier, he encouraged it.  I've no doubt that he was communicating poorly with her as well.

That said, it does not excuse Raine from the previously cited acts of plagiarism.  David never denied that some of her content was lifted verbatim from other sites.  But apparently he supports the theft of other people's work because those posts are STILL over there on Dallas.IsMyHome.Com.

Thanks for your input, Jus.

David Peralty, IsMyHome site runner, weighed in with comments of his own:

"Hi Aron, while these e-mails were sent privately, and not intended to be posted, what comes across here is the lack of respect and a lashing out that I hoped we could avoid."

First, you gotta give the respect to get it, Dave.  You dealt with me in a less than professional manner - though you said it all in a very nice way.  Second, I neither regard this discussion as disrespectful nor inappropriate.  I'm disagreeing with you and supporting my position with facts and documentation.  But I forget, you don't care for facts and documentation.  You just care about the web traffic.

"In working with isMyHome, the only negative situation I have thus far had to deal with all comes from you two.

"All of the other writers are doing well together and are having a good time with this."

Question: Have the other writers had their posts deleted and altered by their co-bloggers?  Because if they haven't, you're comparing apples to oranges.

"At any other workplace this type of attitude would be grounds for dismissal, and I gave you both a fair bit of time to work it out. Instead I got daily e-mails from the both of you complaining about each other."

I couldn't agree more.  But at any other work place, the manager would have told the two parties to get it together or they're both out.  You never did that, David.  If you'll recall the email you sent after I shared one of Raine's particularly offensive actions, you said: "This is EXACTLY the things that make me glad you are around."

A poorly crafted sentence, true, but one in which you told me that you valued the feedback I was providing. 

"I really thought long and hard about this. I almost wanted to open two different Dallas related blogs because honestly, I think you are both great people, great writers, and could do very well not only for me, but for yourselves.  It is a shame how things turned out."

Zach posted a comment to this that I wholly agree with: "You thought long and hard for all of thirty seconds about how to make this Raine person happy cuz she brings you more hits at the moment. It's short-sighted."

Zach went on to say: "You don't have to change your behavior at all, and ismyhome.com will be just as big and wonderful and glamorous years from now as it is right now. If that's all you want, don't change a thing."

I couldn't agree more, Zach.

But let's get back to David:

"I do wish you well, and I hope that everyone who reads this will learn from this."

I'm sorry.  What's the lesson, again?  If you report unethical activity you get shit-canned?  Nice lesson.  I think I saw that episode of Fat Albert and the Cosby Kids.  

"When you work on a blog that isn't your own, and isn't solely published by you, then you must find a common ground, communicate, and be accepting. Anything else will create conflict."

I said it before, Dave.  You know I'm going to say it again.  If at anytime you had told me "get along or move along," you would have gotten exactly that from me.

Thanks for everybody's comments.

I've flown 3638 miles this week, been in three different airports twice, and rode the center seat home tonight wedged in between two sweaty guys.  I'm hot. 

I'm tired. 

On top of all that, I got fired this week.

I am going to bed.

After I shower, that is.

Aron Head
www.EvilBastard.net 

Posted by Aron Head at 11:05 PM CDT

Updated: Saturday, 27 October 2007 11:47 PM CDT

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Well that didn't take long.

Fourteen days after getting the gig as a blog editor over at Dallas.IsMyHome.com, I got canned.  I've never been fired from a job before.  I don't care for it.

Why did I get fired?

I'm glad you asked.

According to the site manager, David Peralty, it was because I couldn't get along with my fellow blogger.

Ah, my fellow blogger.  Her name is Raine.  

Dave's right.  We can't get along.  

We can't get along because in the two short weeks I worked on the blog Raine deleted and altered my posts.  On top of that she has a habit of  plagiarizing the work of others.  I was fired for pointing these things out when they occurred.

Let me explain myself...

Wait! Let me share the emails I sent Bossman David Peralty concerning the matter...

08/15/2007

David,

I hate to be a bother, but I have this nagging suspicion that my fellow blogger in Dallas is deleting my posts.  My post from yesterday disappeared this afternoon.

I reposted this evening and verified that it published.  Several minutes later it vanished again.

Can you take a look at this?

David's response:

Hi there,

You would be right. He(*) said you are adding spammy links to the post, and so he thought something bad was happening.

I told him to NEVER delete posts. Very sorry about that.

David

(*) At this point, both David and I thought Raine was a dude.  Turns out he's a she.

In response, I wrote: 

What in the world is a "spammy link?"  I can't think of a link I have included that would be inappropriate, but if there is please do let me know.

Thanks, I appreciate you looking into that.  I was just amazed that it disappeared.

Now in order to prepare for the blog, I review a lot of news and announcements and some of what I was reading in Raine's entries was verbatim from other sources which prompted me to write this to David at IsMyHome.com:

David,

I know this seems very crappy of me, but I think you and I want Dallas.IsMyHome.Com to be the best it can be.  That said, your other blogger here in Dallas is lifting whole passages straight rom other articles without citing the sources.

From tonight's post
(http://dallas.ismyhome.com/news/presidents-daughter-jenna-bush-to-wed/):

"The two, who have both worked as schoolteachers, currently are ollaborating on a children’s picture story to be published in spring 008. Proceeds are to donated to two education programs: Teach for merica and The New Teacher Project."

The exact same passage above appears on Yahoo News:

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20070816/ap_on_go_pr_wh/bush_daughter_engagement_5

Also, the article on Patty Smyth (http://dallas.ismyhome.com/downtown/patty-smyth-scandal-tonite-at-house-of-blues/)
is completely lifted from John Freeman's article at the Dallas Observer:
http://www.dallasobserver.com/2007-08-16/calendar/she-is-the-warrior/

I thought you'd want to know.

I was worried about how David would respond to the above and was relieved when he sent me the following email:

Hey,

Yeah, now you understand what I am dealing with... this isn't the only blogger to think they could make an easy buck by lifting other people's work, and this is EXACTLY the things that make me glad you are around.

I will talk with him, make sure he understands how things will be, and reduce his status on the site. If he does it again after I talk to him, or you find his quality sub-par constantly (and not improving) then he will be gone.

Thanks again,
David

P.S. I want all this to be the best it can be too...

This morning I find that Raine had altered one of my posts.  Again, I sent a note over to David:

David,

It appears my fellow blogger has edited my entry from last night.  It was originally posted as http://dallas.ismyhome.com/travel/reflections-33000-feet/

The above is now a deadlink.

I find this morning that she has recategorized my post as COMMENTARY rather than TRAVEL providing it the link
http://dallas.ismyhome.com/commentary/reflections-33000-feet/

This is significant. If one were doing a blog search on Google, you would not find the entry - as I couldn't this morning.

What the hell is she doing editing my posts?

I also note that she moved posts that were older than mine above my entry from last night.

The following posts were made prior to my entry noted earlier and now all are placed higher on the front page:

http://dallas.ismyhome.com/social/club-one-and-lord-byrons-hosts-sickboys-on-thursday/
http://dallas.ismyhome.com/deep-ellum/the-art-of-richard-ross-one-night-only/
http://dallas.ismyhome.com/social/town-square-project-this-saturday-nite-in-deep-ellum/
http://dallas.ismyhome.com/kids/kids-getting-drunk-on-hand-sanitizer/
http://dallas.ismyhome.com/social/the-writers-garret-is-looking-for-a-presenter/

Based on an entry she made this past weekend, I suspect she believes herself to be my boss (http://dallas.ismyhome.com/about-dallas/thank-you-for-visiting/).  She describes herself as THE editor rather than AN editor.  I chose not to disabuse her of that notion in the interest of fostering a positive work environment.  I see now that I was probably wrong in that decision.

I am growing weary of reporting her performance.  It's no fun feeling like I have to watch everything she does.  I hate being in this position, but she is killing the enjoyment of this endeavor for me. What can we do about this?

This evening I found out exactly what we can do about this: 

Hi,

It really looks like you and Raine just are butting heads, and as much as I'd like to keep you both on, this isn't going to work, and so I am sad to say, that you no longer are required for dallas.ismyhome.com at this time.

Please send me your paypal information if you haven't already and accept my sincere apology.

I hope in the future we find a way to work together and I hope there won't be any hard feelings.

Thanks again for everything. It is a shame that you two couldn't come to an understanding.

David

Stunned, I sent the following...

I've been thinking about this tonight and am frankly puzzled by the decision.

At no point did you communicate to me that I was on the bubble or that there would be no change made with Raine.  You actually did the opposite.  In your email to me of August 16th, you said:

"I will talk with him, make sure he understands how things will be, and reduce his status on the site. If he does it again after I talk to him, or you find his quality sub-par constantly (and not improving) then he will be gone."

I've really enjoyed writing for ismyhome.com.  I thought you and I had similar goals for the blog.  I don't understand why I am out.

If you didn't want me to share my concerns about Raine's tendency to brand someone else's work as her own, fine.  You never told me that, though.  I'm feeling penalized for objecting to her editing my posts - when she and I both bear the title editor.

Let's be clear.

I've not altered her posts.

I've not deleted her posts.

I've not posted someone else's work and claimed it as my own.

Am I fired because I pointed these things out to her boss?

Despite it all, David, I'd still like to continue with ismyhome.com.  If that's not going to be the case, can you at least explain why?  'Cuz I don't get it.

David was good enough to explain it all:

Hey,

I know that it must be puzzling, but from my perspective, I had been getting e-mails from both of you every single day about this, that and the other thing, and it was time to put a stop to it.

As for the e-mail I sent you, the traffic stats don't lie, and Raine's content has been bringing in a ton of visitors to the blog.

I had to pick one of you since you couldn't get along, and in actual fact, I have given Raine another warning saying if that the prima dona attitude has to stop, or I will be starting over with the Dallas site.

I wanted passionate professionals, and I wanted people that could get along, and make things work with a wide variety of people from different backgrounds.

It just wasn't meant to be. Had you both sorted out your differences, rather than coming to me every day, then we wouldn't be having this discussion.

Again, sorry...
David

In all honesty, I appreciate this feedback from David Peralty, though I did feel the need to clarify a few points.

I understand that, but at no time did you provide me any indication that I was doing something to irritate her.  Nor did you suggest that I was on the bubble.  In fact, you told me that she was.

If at anytime you had told me "get along or move along," you would have gotten exactly that from me.

I don't intend to seek compensation for the posts I have written for ISMYHOME.  I would appreciate if you would delete my content.  You might have Raine do that.  She seems to be familiar with that process.

And that's where we are tonight.

As I scratch "WILL BLOG FOR FOOD" on a wedge of cardboard with my marksalot, I'm kicking myself over this.  Truly, when I urged the editor to delete Raine's plagiarized content and it didn't happen, I should have quit.  As a writer, I should not have abided this absence of integrity. 

One cannot expect ethical treatment from unethical people.

I whored myself because I was having fun.  Really, it was a kick-and-a-half.

I'm disappointed and to a lesser extent, I'm pissed off.  I'm sure I'll manage my way through this.  

I hope to find another such opportunity elsewhere.

Aron Head
www.EvilBastard.net
 

Posted by Aron Head at 9:10 PM CDT

Updated: Saturday, 27 October 2007 11:48 PM CDT

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In addition to maintaining the Bastard's Blog here on EvilBastard.net, I am now an editor over at Dallas.IsMyHome.com.  Here's a summary of my posts from this week...

• Afraid of the Garden
• Parking with Shakespeare
• Tax Free Holy Days
• Reviewing Texana
• Big Time Lacrosse
• Meanwhile, Over at the Comic Shop
• Tax Free Weekend, Day Two
  

Take a look and tell me what you think.

Aron Head
www.EvilBastard.net 

Posted by Aron Head at 9:58 AM CDT

Updated: Saturday, 27 October 2007 11:48 PM CDT

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