I've come across several LONG and I do mean *****LONG***** posts by some dude named John Montana. They're the same endless ramblings and never have anything to do with the question that someone asks. Is he some frustrated, never published wanna be writer and is just taking out his so called creative juices on us?

He is just one of many!

One of very ,very many!

Well, I for one, find John's posts rather enjoyable reading (and I read Fitzgerald and Hemingway for the fun of it). If John wants to continue practicing writing travelogues on this forum its all right by me.

Hey Hey, you give me to much credit and now I will blow my own cover. I simply cut and pasted a interesting article I read in the CSAA magazine. People wanted idea's on what to do in SF and I thought it appropriate due to the varied stories /likes and dislikes that interest people. Frankly I would ratherr have to much info than not enough. Sorry if it seemed to go on and on. I promise I will never do it again. It you can't accept that then get a grip. Just trying to help...

John, I enjoyed the stories, and really didn't mind that they were long. But you absolutely should write credit when you cut and paste like that. And while I suspect excerpts are okay, taking entire articles might violate some copyright laws. Still, no one is likely to object if you give proper credit.

John, Taking what Beth says into consideration, post what you think someone else might need and might enjoy! If some of the posters don't enjoy it, they just won't read it, which is fine, too.

I am discovering, on this Forum, that some people do not want anything posted that they wouldn't post themselves, or an opinion expressed that does not agree with theirs. I really think this is sad, especially for a Forum, for Pete's sake, and I'm sure deters some people who would like to express themselves but do not for fear of being attacked. Personally, I don't give a hoot!

Stay with us! This is a Forum, not a mutual admiration society!

Does no one see that what John did was plain, old-fashioned dishonest?

We might well enjoy a long, rambling meditation on some great travel experience -- it would be a welcome relief from the contentious and offensive squabbling on tangential issues. But write it yourself, and offer sincere sharing of your own responses.

On the other hand, the honesty in "confessing" is commendable. And he'd never have been "outed" if there weren't people more interested in the form of the forum than its content.

Glad you won't do it again, John, and no, it's not a capital crime: but objecting to it isn't just a matter of "getting a grip." Nor, oh ubiquitous, disagreeable and disagreeing Bonnie, is it merely a matter of personal preference. It's a matter of personal integrity and respect for those who expect worth from the forum.

I have never done or intended to do ANYTHING dishonest. I never once said that I wrote it. I simply posted it. And to all those individuals who think it some type of copyright infringement, Bull. The internet is a free exchange of ideas FREE FREE FREE. I didn't try to make a buck or anything. Believe it or not I was trying to help people. I don't need to confess jack just explain the reason for the LOOOOOOOOOOng Posting. Stop being internet/idea police and or high and mighty critics. If you don't like it tough. Im guilt free. Period.

If you post something, people assume you wrote it. You are taking credit for someone else's work. Now, this may be inadvertant, and in your case it seems to be. If you don't know much about writing, your can't be expected to know that what you did counts as plagiarism. But it does, and it's objectionable.

Martah, TreeBeard, guess what! there are children starving in Africa. War in India/Pakistran. More children starving in No. Korea. Get a grip!!! I don't give a fat rat's ass if you think I wrote it or not. I don't care if you find it objectionable or not. I helped at least 4 people plan their trip to SF.
Find a good cause to get offended/flustered with or in my uneducated plageristic language "get a life"....

John, despite what you may think copying someone else's written work and posting it without credit is dishonest. We accept that you didn't mean to be, but its not much different from copying a term paper from an encyclopedia. And calling us "thought police" for recognizing it as plagiarism is one of the more ludicrous things I've read lately. Also, while its true that the Internet was conceived as a free exchange of ideas amongst research and development institutions back when it was the ArpaNet, anyone who thinks it is about the "free exchange" of ideas is being naive. Its about commerce and the almighty dollar (or Euro or whatever currency you like), and always will be. We're lucky that so much is available free of charge. Enjoy it while it lasts, because we will be paying for the content sooner or later.

Are you having fun yet.

There are children starving and you're helping peole plan frivolous trips to SF? For shame.

Hmm. That came out meaner than I intended, and in the hope that a soft answer will turn away a little wrath, I will try again:
No one is accusing you of deliberately doing the wrong thing. We thought that you might want to know why using someone's work without crediting it is objectionable. You do not appear to care, which is somewhat disheartening. The person who wrote the article probably makes a living out of writing. Most people do not want the means by which they earn their keep to be distriuted for free and uncredited. While you may not feel that way about your own work, it does not seem unreasonable for you to understand and honor the feelings of those who do.
If understanding and respect are not qualities you value, I hope you do not travel much.

Well im cutting and pasting with my right hand (I just can't stop plagerising)and packing food and clothing with my left to send to Africa. Oh shoot I just packed a box of Corn Flakes. I hope no one get's mad because it was made by Kelloggs. Im afraid someone will think that I grew the corn and packaged it and maybe think im taking all the credit for it. Oh my maybe someone will object that I sent (used) Corn Flakes to a needy person and am going to take all the credit for it. I think im gonna cry BOO HOO. (Warning this message is meant to be sarcastic, any reference to persons living or dead is only a coincidence).

If your so concerned with giving credit (money) then send a buck to Fodor's why don't you.

John has admitted he made a mistake, and he's been told why it was a mistake. Beth said what needed to be said perfectly in her first post. Why don't we drop it and move on - there was only good intended.

John is not the only one who has done this, but when I recognized it from other people, I assumed they meant only to help, and let it go. I think the subject could have been brought up in a general way on the Forum - but John was named, and came forward, and I find that very commendable.

And, Treebeard, you sweet thing you, I'm sorry that my differences of opinion unsettle you but that's life!

Who really cares! This is suppose to be
a TRAVEL forum,You people sound like a bunch of little kids.

Jan, how dare you insult me and my antagonist. We may be a bunch of kids but we are kids with a purpose. The important and worthwhile debate between whiners and plagerist. We deserve some respect for clogging up forums with percieved insults and mindless banter. How dare you Jan. I think you owe us an apology or at least a spanking. Please.