Kathryn Morris UK

Sigh.  Looks like I have to defend myself and this site against someone that doesn’t understand what they are complaining about again.

Last night I posted about an piece of crapp on the Google Play store.  I didn’t credit where I had found this information and this seems to have upset someone that posted about it before me on their Facebook page.  Apparently being second equates to plagiarism.  If so we need to have words about other things on that page, and meaning of plagiarism.

The person in question is called Lisa.  I’ve posted before about her and her Facebook page.  You may remember it as the one only for “good Kathryn fans”.  The rest of us (presumably bad fans) have to put up with sites like this one.  You know, ones with original content, facts, and opinions.  Lara (Lisa’s sister?) pointed out my timing via Twitter.  She/they completely missed the point.

So, did I find out about this app from Lisa’s FB page?  Yes.  Did I credit her in any way?  No.

Why?  Because, if I had explicitly named Lisa, and not used the more vague “it has come to my attention”, then I would have had to make it clear that I was actually posting about the very poor job I thought she did.  How was that going to go down with Lisa and her sister?  Linking to content like that and encouraging readers to “Download the app on your Android cellphone immediatelly!!” is very bad advice.  Where was the review?  Where was the warning of the possible dangers?  My post was about those dangers.  That’s why my Tweet about the post included the phrase “public information message”.  A point lost on some.  I even used teh “Editorial” category (look below, next to the date).  Another missed fact.  It wasn’t news.

I followed Lisa’s link to the app store page.  The first thing I did was look for details on the developer (AgungMedia) and what else they’ve done (more of the same).  I looked for evidence that it is an officially endorsed app (it’s not, as they make clear).  I read the description which states:

Cold Case Game, This game is a game that is in between the two images and words. guessing and analyzing images. Do not miss this game, just download this game and free.play fun. It is an addictive game. games played this game for the fans Cold Case Game

Utter nonsense.  This is a puzzle game based around English words and that text is the written by the developers!  And don’t get me started about the promo video.  Too late.  It’s not even about Cold Case.  It’s a trailer for Cold Case Files on the A+E channel!  Does that give you cause to question the quality of the app?  Was it written with input from an actual fan?

Would you buy a house from an estate agent/realtor that described the property like the following?

A house that is a house you can live in.  Dont miss this house, just by it and live it. live fun. it is a grate hosue for people that like houses.

What if they then showed you a video that was a trailer for the TV show House?  What would you think of a person that sent a link to the seller’s website telling you to buy the house?

I’m certainly not letting that app near my phone.  As I said before, there is a reason it is not in the Apple App Store: it wouldn’t even pass their initial tests.  It took all of 10 seconds checking by me to come to those conclusions.

The least someone in a position like myself or Lisa can do is some basic research into what they are posting.  It’s journalism 1-0-1.  I’m not claiming to get it right all the time.  I’m sure I don’t.  But if I don’t know something then I either don’t post it or make it clear where I stand.

Lisa, if what you wanted was credit, there you go.  I’m always happy to give credit where credit is due.