I don’t regularly read the newspapers (print) but once in a while, I’d skim through some copies in the hopes of getting some scoop. Who would imagine I’d stumble upon yet another editorial lapse with Manila Bulletin.
If you have a copy of the June 16, 2007 (Monday) edition of Manila Bulletin, go over the Technews section on page D5. At the top right corner of the page, you will see a website feature for Parents Preview (www.parentspreview.com). What actually got my attention was the uncanny familiarity of the website screen shot. It does look like a domain parking landing page. Being in the domains and web hosting business for years, I can spot these type of sites from a mile away.
The entire page is covered with sponsored links!
The MB reviewed the site and actually thought it was a real website for Parenting. These landing pages are used by domain squatters to make money off of people who mistype URLs or get traffic from spam comments. Some Domain Registars also show this page right after a legit domain has expired. Yes, there is money to be made from domaineering domaining.
If you check the WHOIS of the domain, it is owned by Texas International Property Associates (TIPA) and is hosted by Hitfarm.com which provides custom designed landing pages with relevant, sponsored links intelligently placed by their industry leading Proprietary Keyword System. Likewise, a quick search for the name of the company of Google will show results about a recent law suit and another feature article about domain squatting.
I couldn’t find a copy of the article on the web version but I can only imagine how many readers were led into that site. Well, that’s more money for TIPA I guess.
The average web surfer might be fooled by these landing pages but a columnist for a major print publication? Where are the Tech Editors?
P.S.
It is possible, as commenter vance pointed out, the feature writer was reviewing the correct website but wrote the wrong domain in his/her article. It’s supposed to be parentpreviews.com and not parentspreview.com, thus the layout artist/designer got the screen shot of the wrong website. Well, that’s basically a real-world proof that domaining really works.
P.S.
ajay of MB left a comment that it’s most likely a typo error and added that the tech editor wasn’t around when this issue was published. The culprit of this bo-bo is most likely the layout artist who took the screenshot. Yes, everybody makes typo mistakes, we’re only in fact humans. Blogs like this one, make tons of typhos too (oops another typo there)! Btw, this entry wasn’t done to incite rebellion or anything. :D
Just wondering, is Manila Bulletin the number 1 paper in Philippines?
What about Manila Times and Daily Inquirer?
Have always thought Manila Times was the nation’s leading paper…
yes, anger is a sign of helplessness. i don’t think yuga indented to belittle others. and threats over the internet are just plain funny.
Art: Another Pinoy who can’t take criticism. Your angry because you see yourself in the shoes of the idiot. Not kissing Yuga’s ass but he has done a lot to boost the Philippine blogging and IT scene. People tend to stoop to violence when they can’t hang mentally.
putangina mo yuga! suntukan na lang tayo? akala mo naman kung sino kang magaling! bukulan ko kaya ang makintab mong ulo?
I’m so glad I don’t read dead trees anymore. Newspapers are dead to me.
I was eating dinner and it just so happened my husband was beside me reading this article on his laptop.
I am no fan of blogging, but I do read people’s blogs sometimes, and the fact that my husband is a hardcore blogger creates a certain level of curiosity as to what blogging is all about.
I happen to know that the Manila Bulletin features bloggers. Personally I think that’s a great opportunity for bloggers to get their opinions “heard” by more people online and offline (through newspapers).
If ever there are mistakes or typographical errors made or overlooked by the editor of Manila Bulletin, I think it would be nice to give constructive criticisms/comments. That way, both parties will benefit from each other. Makes the world a better place.
I have been a part of a publication once. Typos and errors such as these are very common especially if you have a newspaper that circulates regularly.
Ajay may be right. It might be a typo or something.
And can you guys please be easy on the lay-out artist. e may not be the one at fault you know? Haha.
I wonder if they really have reviewed the wrong site.
Since that’s the June 16th issue, I wonder if some sort of erratum had been published by the MB since. Or the mistake has remained unnoticed until this entry was posted?
maybe some kind of cloak? hehehe, iba sa print readers and iba sa net readers.
nice catch,
let’s give them a chance, they’re human too…
pwn3d lol.
Rebellion ba? Sus intrigero ka lang talaga hahaha :P
they should be more careful… . if this keep happening to MB .. i wont buy a MB copy in the coming days, weeks, months, years and in lifetime. sayang lang pera ko bili, tech news naman palagi binabasa ko tapos eto makikita ko? HELLO? pde i refund? hehe.
its funny though. its blogable… haha! MB screws the screenshots? lols!
….You Family Guide to Entertainment.. try “XSL Help with XML Spy” that’s a real entertainment!!
… and there are 2 people being fired right now. :)
hehehe… tsk…tsk…tsk..
how could they make a mistake like that?
that’s so embarassing…
dyosko di man lang ba familar sa mga ganyang bagay ang mg staff nila?
kaasar. maka apply nga dun!
ahahahah
Of course there will always be a double standard. We’re talking about the Manila Bulletin! We’d expect more from you. I couldn’t care less if that article appeared in Abante. Don’t think that even if I said it was hilarious, it overjoys me to see mistakes like these in national newspapers. It’s actually depressing.
Hari Skwatir – Sure, nobody is perfect but what they did is stupid. Call it as you see it, be your own judge. If I do something dumb, call me out. It’s cool.
ajay, this is not the first time MB got into the radars of blogs. check these 2 other blog posts about MB’s Technews:
Broadband and Malicious Software
Proud to earn zero
In those two previous mistakes, MB did not put out any errata as well.