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• 09/11/2007 - Running LightTPD and PHP on Windows
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• 08/14/2007 - New Song: Chocolate Rain - Sonic Remix
• 08/03/2007 - If You Use Open Source, Leave the License and Credit
• 07/31/2007 - Add Links to Profiles on MySpace, Facebook, and More
• 07/23/2007 - SocialNetwork.in API Promotes Cross Site Networking
• 07/22/2007 - AddToBookmarks.com Script Updated to Version 1.1

It appears that MyBlogLog allows anyone to claim a site as their own. All you have to do is join, fill out a form, type in a URL - and the site is yours on the MyBlogLog system.

The user does not have to prove the site is theirs. They don't have to download and install a small html page with a unique ID that MyBlogLog could then request and thus prove that the person owns that site. Once they claim the site as theirs - it's locked, and the actual owner can't add the site to their own profile.

This isn't bad planning on MyBlogLog's part... it's terrible.

I found this out today because a user on my site has claimed my company site as his own on MyBlogLog. I'd post the link, but I don't want to cause any troubles w/ the actual artist - it could very well have been a mistake on his part. BUT - this is something MyBlogLog should not allow - just as other sites like Technorati don't provide you a means to claim other peoples sites and blogs as your own.

I just sent him an email asking him to remove it - or rename it, but as you know - the user may not respond, and he may not remove it. I also sent an email to MyBLogLog asking for help.

I find it odd that they are allowing people to claim websites as their own without providing any means to actually prove that it's their site. Many services will give you a piece of code to save onto your site which the service would then request from the site, which then proves that the site is that persons. MyBlogLog isn't asking anyone to prove anything - which sounds to me like they are creating a huge problem down the road as Spammers and traffic hungry bloggers claim sites they don't own nor run. How will they deal with this? Don't they realize it's going to rapidly transform them into a cesspool?

Give it a go - claim every corporation you can think of, load 'em up - they're yours for the taking... actually, no, don't do that. Let's wait and see if they will fix this and add a reliable means for claiming sites - and if they don't - live it up, because as soon as someone starts claiming all the larger corps, Web Startups, etc - larger voices will call out to MyBlogLog demanding a fix. But remember, it's best to try to work any problem out with conversation - so let the conversation begin!

I sure hope MyBlogLog improves their system and makes it more secure - claiming a site/url/blog as your own MUST have proof - don't you think?

And yes - I'm a member: http://www.mybloglog.com/buzz/members/gideonmarken/

Here is a screenshot from the MyBlogLog site showing their "Add site" form - displaying that someone else "authors" my company site. Nice! http://www.artistserver.com/m1/8/9/media/21486.jpg