#checking for plagiarism software

[northwestofinsanity]

I remember the days in which Citation Machine wasn’t owned by Chegg and swamped with AI features… when I could run my sources through to double-check that I cited everything in the correct format, and I didn’t have ads running over half my screen, and I didn’t have to either pay up or watch a two-minute sponsored message blocking my entire screen to make more than two citations.

[fixyourwritinghabits]

AI, Plagiarism, and CYA

Shout-out for all the students gearing up to go back to school in increasingly frustrated times when dealing with all this AI bullshit. As you've probably noticed, lots of institutions have adapted anti-plagiarism software that incorporates AI detectors that - surprise - aren't that great. Many students are catching flack for getting dinged on work that isn't AI generated, and schools are struggling to catch up to craft policies that uphold academic rigor. It sucks for everyone involved!

As a student, it can really feel like you're in a bind, especially if you didn't do anything wrong. Your instructor isn't like to be as tech-savvy as some, and frankly, you might not be as tech-savvy as you think either. The best thing to do, no matter how your school is handling things, is to Cover Your Ass.

Pay attention to the academic policy. Look, I know you probably skimmed the syllabus. Primus knows I did too, but the policy there is the policy the instructor must stick with. If the policy sets down a strong 'don't touch ChatGPT with a ten-foot pole' standard, stick to it. If you get flagged for something you thought was okay because you didn't read the policy carefully, you don't have ground to stand on if you get called out.

Turn off Autosave and save multiple (named) drafts. If you're using Microsoft Word because your school gives you a free license, the handy Autosave feature may be shooting you in the foot when it comes to proving you did the work. I know this seems counter-intuitive, but I've seen this bite enough people in the ass to recommend students go old-school. Keep those "draft 1234" in a file just in case.

Maintaining timestamped, clearly different drafts of a paper can really help you in the long-run. GoogleDocs also goes a much better job of tracking changes to a document, and may be something to consider, however, with all this AI shit, I'm hesitant to recommend Google. Your best bet, overall, is to keep multiple distinctive drafts that prove how your paragraphs evolved from first to final.

Avoid Grammarly, ProWiritingAid, etc. All that handy 'writing tools' software that claims to help shore up your writing aren't doing you any favors. Grammarly, ProWritingAid, and other software throw up immediate flags in AI-detection software. You may have only used it to clean up the grammar and punctuation, but if the AI-detection software says otherwise, you might be screwed. They're not worth using over a basic spell and grammar check in both Word and GoogleDocs can already do.

Cite all citations and save your sources! This is basic paper-writing, but people using ChatGPT for research often neglect to check to make sure it isn't making shit up, and that made up shit is starting to appear on other parts of the internet. Be sure to click through and confirm what you're using for your paper is true. Get your sources and research material from somewhere other than a generative language model, which are known for making shit up. Yes, Wikipedia is a fine place to start and has rigorously maintained sources.

Work with the support your school has available. My biggest mistake in college was not reaching out when I felt like I was drowning, and I know how easy it is to get in you head and not know where to turn when you need more help. But I've since met a great deal of awesome librarians, tutors, and student aid staff that love nothing more to devote their time to student success. Don't wait at the last moment until they're swamped - you can and will succeed if you reach out early and often.

I, frankly, can't wait for all this AI bullshit to melt down in a catastrophic collapse, but in the meantime, take steps to protect yourself.

[literaticat]

Is it ethical to use Chat GPT or Grammarly for line editing purposes? I have a finished book, 100% written by me and line edited by me already--and I do hope to get it traditionally published. But I think it could benefit from a line edit from someone who isn't me, obviously, before querying. But line editing services run $3-4k for a 75k book, which is beyond my budget.

I was chatting with someone recently who self-publishes. They said they use Chat GPT Plus to actually train a model for their projects to line edit using instructions like (do not rewrite or rephrase for content /edit only for rhythm, clarity, tone, and pacing /preserve my voice, sentence structure, and story intent with precision). Those are a few inputs she used and she said it actually worked really well.

So in that case, is AI viewed in the same way you'd collaborate with a human editor? Or does that cross ethical boundaries in traditional publishing? Like say for instance AI rewords your sentence and maybe switches out for a stronger verb or adjective or a stronger metaphor--is using that crossing a line? And if I were to use it for that purpose, would I need to disclose that? I know AI is practically a swear word among authors and publishers right now, so I think even having to say "I used AI tools" might raise eyebrows and make an agent hesitant during the querying process. But obviously, I wouldn't lie if it needs to be disclosed... just not sure I even want to go there and risk having to worry about that. Thoughts? Am I fine? Overthinking it?

Thanks!

I gotta be honest, this question made me flinch so hard I'm surprised my face didn't turn inside out.

Feeding your original work into ChatGPT or a similar generative AI large language model -- which are WELL KNOWN FOR STEALING EVERYTHING THAT GETS PUT INTO THEM AND SPITTING OUT STOLEN MATERIAL-- feels like, idk, just a terrible idea. Letting that AI have ANY kind of control over your words and steal them feels like a terrible idea. Using any words that a literal plagiarism-bot might come up with for you feels like a terrible idea.

And ethical questions aside: AI is simply not good at writing fiction. It doesn't KNOW anything. You want to take its "advice" on your book? Come on. Get it together.

Better idea: Get a good critique group that can tell you if there are major plot holes, characters whose motivations are unclear, anything like that -- those are things that AI can't help you with, anyway. Then read Self-Editing for Fiction Writers -- that info combined with a bit of patience should stand you in good stead.

Finally, I do think that using spell-check/grammarly, either as you work or to check your work, is fine. It's not rewriting your work for you, it's just pointing out typos/mistakes/potential issues, and YOU, PERSONALLY, are going through each and every one to make the decision of how to fix any actual errors that might have snuck in there, and you, personally, are making the decision about when to use a "stronger" word or phrase or recast a sentence that it thinks might be unclear or when to stet for voice, etc. Yes, get rid of typos and real mistakes, by all means!

(And no, I don't think use of that kind of "spell-check/grammar-check" tool is a problem or anything that you need to "disclose" or feel weird about -- spell-check is like, integrated into most word processing software as a rule, it's ubiquitous and helpful, and it's different from feeding your work into some third-party AI thing!)

[gemmahale]

Ficbook.net and Unauthorized Translations - An Update

Update to the update: some of the fics have been removed! 🎉 This happened before I finished this write-up even!

You may have seen this post last night about some CoD X Reader fics having unauthorized translations posted to the Russian site ficbook.net. @karlachismylife was monumental in helping me understand what's going on, and there's some explanation in that link from her POV as well.

Basically - multiple people have copied and translated fanfics into Russian and hosted them on ficbook.net. They're rough translations, some going as far as to use literal translations for turns of phrase. Most likely, they were run through a translation software (Google Translate or similar) and then roughly edited. (Juju mentioned that there is a subset of jobs in Russia where that is your job description. 😖)

Most of them have come from Tumblr posts, some from AO3. Very few had attribution beyond "tagging" the original author. (Aka - no consent was given for these translations.)

@syoddeye took the time to compile a list found here (google sheet). At the time of writing, 65 fics CoD x Reader fics were found - we know there's more but we only have so many knives in a day. (Sy did not look into slash fics either.)

Authors that have been tagged in the comments: I'm sorry you found out this way. I wanted to tell you in person, but given Tumblr's likelihood of thinking I was spamming you, I felt that this was the best option to alert you, provide you with options, and let you determine how you wish to move forward.

So what can be done?

If you already have an account, please report the fics! I'm told that spamming reports gets it taken down. Also consider messaging the author and ask them to remove them - they do not have the author's consent to publish them.

If you want to make an account and report the linked fics, you can. I have chosen not to, because I don't want to give Ficbook any extra support I otherwise might by doing so (clicks, ad views, account numbers).

If the author does not have closed comments (or you have an account), you can leave a comment on the fic.

Russian: Автор оригинала лично подтвердил, что не давал разрешения на перевод и публикацию. English: Author of the work personally confirmed that they did not give permission to translate and publish.

Finally - check in on your author friends that are on that list. It's devastating to find out your work has been plagiarized, translated and hosted somewhere else without your consent. Reblog their work, share comments, hype them up!

A couple of notes: (Juju correct me if I've fucked any of this up 💚)

The posters are likely not making money off the unauthorized translations. The website and their owners definitely are (ads, "premium features", promotion tools, etc.)

Ficbook.net is the biggest Russian language fanfiction platform - somewhat akin to AO3, but it doesn't have a great reputation within Russian circles because of the stealing and underhanded practices the owners use.

AO3 is banned in Russia, and Tumblr is one of the few places Russians can easily (aka without VPNs and Mirrors) read English version of fanfic.

CoD isn't the only fandom affected - there are dozens that have more posted, and we only scratched the surface in our list.

Finally, if you want to translate works, TALK TO THE AUTHOR. A lot of folks don't like having their work shared without their consent. Even if you feel like you are doing a good thing spreading it to a wider audience, YOU NEED THE AUTHOR'S CONSENT. If they've deleted their presence and their stories from hosting sites (tumblr, AO3, etc) - you don't get to pretend you're doing them a favor by reposting them. Respect their decisions.

[qqueenofhades]

I’m in undergrad but I keep hearing and seeing people talking about using chatgpt for their schoolwork and it makes me want to rip my hair out lol. Like even the “radical” anti-chatgpt ones are like “Oh yea it’s only good for outlines I’d never use it for my actual essay.” You’re using it for OUTLINES????? That’s the easy part!! I can’t wait to get to grad school and hopefully be surrounded by people who actually want to be there 😭😭😭

Not to sound COMPLETELY like a grumpy old codger (although lbr, I am), but I think this whole AI craze is the obvious result of an education system that prizes "teaching for the test" as the most important thing, wherein there are Obvious Correct Answers that if you select them, pass the standardized test and etc etc mean you are now Educated. So if there's a machine that can theoretically pick the correct answers for you by recombining existing data without the hard part of going through and individually assessing and compiling it yourself, Win!

... but of course, that's not the way it works at all, because AI is shown to create misleading, nonsensical, or flat-out dangerously incorrect information in every field it's applied to, and the errors are spotted as soon as an actual human subject expert takes the time to read it closely. Not to go completely KIDS THESE DAYS ARE JUST LAZY AND DONT WANT TO WORK, since finding a clever way to cheat on your schoolwork is one of those human instincts likewise old as time and has evolved according to tools, technology, and educational philosophy just like everything else, but I think there's an especial fear of Being Wrong that drives the recourse to AI (and this is likewise a result of an educational system that only prioritizes passing standardized tests as the sole measure of competence). It's hard to sort through competing sources and form a judgment and write it up in a comprehensive way, and if you do it wrong, you might get a Bad Grade! (The irony being, of course, that AI will *not* get you a good grade and will be marked even lower if your teachers catch it, which they will, whether by recognizing that it's nonsense or running it through a software platform like Turnitin, which is adding AI detection tools to its usual plagiarism checkers.)

We obviously see this mindset on social media, where Being Wrong can get you dogpiled and/or excluded from your peer groups, so it's even more important in the minds of anxious undergrads that they aren't Wrong. But yeah, AI produces nonsense, it is an open waste of your tuition dollars that are supposed to help you develop these independent college-level analytical and critical thinking skills that are very different from just checking exam boxes, and relying on it is not going to help anyone build those skills in the long term (and is frankly a big reason that we're in this mess with an entire generation being raised with zero critical thinking skills at the exact moment it's more crucial than ever that they have them). I am mildly hopeful that the AI craze will go bust just like crypto as soon as the main platforms either run out of startup funding or get sued into oblivion for plagiarism, but frankly, not soon enough, there will be some replacement for it, and that doesn't mean we will stop having to deal with fake news and fake information generated by a machine and/or people who can't be arsed to actually learn the skills and abilities they are paying good money to acquire. Which doesn't make sense to me, but hey.

So: Yes. This. I feel you and you have my deepest sympathies. Now if you'll excuse me, I have to sit on the porch in my quilt-draped rocking chair and shout at kids to get off my lawn.

[wispstalk]

today in LLM Derangement Syndrome: nanowrimo released a statement that use of AI tools would not disqualify anyone from participating, so tech-illiterate tumblr users have made a bunch of hysterical posts calling for boycotts and accused them of nefarious motives because ProWritingAid is one of their sponsors:

i'd never heard of this one, but I have heard of Grammarly, which has been around for fifteen years. by all accounts it's not very good, so I don't use it. But this is what these apps do:

(from this zapier article comparing the two pieces of software)

And yes, more recently these programs have features where you can select a section of your own text and prompt a continuation. so i guess you're plagiarizing yourself in that scenario.

So my question is: if we've all decided this type of tool is unacceptable, are we now demanding that professional writers disavow their works as "artificially generated" if they have ever used Grammarly? Are we boycotting these writers and publications? If you've ever used the grammar suggestions in your own writing software, are you boycotting yourself? Does the boycott extend to spell-check?

[crimesolvin]

Okay. After like 3 years I’m finally posting that essay on leadership in the pilot episode of Star Trek Voyager that was a term paper for me during college. I was very hesitant to post and still am not due to quality, but out of sheer caution in regards to plagiarism software used in education nowadays. So PLEASE DO NOT COPY FOR BOTH OF OUR SAKES.

Thankfully, I am graduated now, so I have less resignations on the topic (but it is still in the plaigerism testing systems, so please don’t copy it, mostly for your own sake in academic writing).

It’s probably boring to a lot of people, but for anyone who wants to read it here you go.

A “Voyage” in Leadership

Wc: 3080

I. Introduction

“Space the final frontier”; these are the words that have been imprinted on viewers by the not so subtle branding of Star Trek (Star Trek,1966). While the original series surged television screens in the 60s, the 90s were flooded with a revitalization of the pop culture phenomenon. Until Voyager aired, the series that preceded it, like Next Generation, were very formulaic; they took place in known regions and dealt with pre-established alien species and conflicts. Voyager in its nature broke the mold by instating Star Trek’s first female captain and brought Trek to new heights with new moral dilemmas. The series takes the Voyager ship away from all command structures the crew has ever known. They have to make every choice and decision with little guidance but each other. Star Trek has always been about exploration and when referencing Voyager with that same lens, that exploration also applies to people. Each individual aboard this journey makes decisions that impact who they are as leaders and followers, some like Voyagers captain, Janeway, demonstrate several healthy leadership qualities, where others are just getting their footing in their leadership journeys. Within this paper I will be diving into the depth of Captain Janeway as a leader, the forming of the Voyager crew, and small choices the individuals make which define their character.

II. Description

The Maquis, a rebel group to the Federation, are sent through a shock wave to the other side of the galaxy, 70,000 light years from the solar system. Captain Katherine Janeway is sent on a mission to track down the Maquis ship. This mission includes standard starfleet personnel and the addition of Tom Paris, ex- Maquis doing time at a Starfleet Penal Settlement. En route to Voyager, Tom, meets fresh out of the academy, Harry Kim. Despite only just meeting Kim, Paris saves him from getting caught up in foreign schemes. We are introduced to the show’s namesake via Paris and Kim making their rounds checking in with the less than personable head of medical, the similar first officer, and finally a non-judgmental individual, Captain Janeway, as the ship disembarks on their journey. The same phenomena that launched the Maquis ship 75 years away, launches Voyager to the same location as the Maquis, each with substantial damage. Janeway leaves her position on the bridge to go and aid engineering in repairs. The entirety of the crew gets transported to the array, the ship of The Caretaker, which sourced the anomaly that brought them to the other end of the galaxy, also known as the Delta quadrant. They all awake three days later, each crew missing 1 person. For Voyager, that person was Harry Kim. Janeway and Chakotay, the Maquis leader, unite and join forces in hopes of finding their crew mates. Paris becomes especially upset at the loss of Kim. Kes, a local, informs them that Kim is with her species the Ocampa, a cave dwelling group. The Ocampa have been cared after by the Caretaker for generations. Kim attempts to escape to the surface and by the time the rescue team make it to the Ocampa, he had already left. With the Caretaker beginning to collapse the cave exits, the rescue team escapes to the surface, but not before Chakotay gets trapped and Paris goes back to help him. Upon returning to their respective ships, the Kazon, a local gang-like race, begin attacking Voyager in attempts to attain its technology whilst the Maquis ship holds them off so Janeway can speak to the Caretaker to send them back to the Alpha Quadrant, where Earth is and where they all began their journey. What Janeway discovers is that the Caretaker is dying and that he plans on self-destructing the array so the Kazon can't use it against the Ocampa. Before he gets the chance to, he dies. Janeway makes the decision to destroy the array to save the Ocampa thus truly stranding them all in the Delta Quadrant (Berman, 1995). The captain of Voyager is the epitome of the ideal leader, her followers are her crew, and her situation is nothing less than complex and ever changing as she must “navigate the ambiguity” within (Wheatley, 1999).

III. Group Formation and Interactions

Although Janeway had never met Paris before, she is immediately very personable in their conversation and establishes a connection before even attempting to recruit Paris to join her team (Akin, 2020). She references working with his father before becoming a captain, and in the novel, Voyager: Mosaic, Tom’s father was the one who pushed Janeway to pursue command because of her strong leadership (Taylor, 1996). Tom and Janeway’s relationship immediately develops into one of familiarity and becomes strong with their commonality, which makes Tom feel more comfortable with his decision to go through with the deal to join Janeway on this mission. Janeway also eased the decision by providing Paris with a reward. Janeway is quite smart about this encounter because she lets him make the decision on his own and does not punish him if he chooses to not go through with it; it is clear she is using a variety of influence tactics in this conversation, like rational persuasion, personal appeals, exchange, and apprising, to get her goal accomplished (Curphy et al., 2014).

Paris meets Kim in a compromising position of blatant racism, but knows he is younger and less experienced in the ways of the galaxy, so before their introduction, Paris in fact saves Kim from danger of which, in the novelization, includes Kim thinking to himself: “I’ll never be that cool” in reference to Paris, putting him on some sort of pedestal early on in their relationship (Graf, 1995). The chief of medical and the first officer are put off by Paris because of his criminal record, that his new friend, Kim, still is unaware of. These crewmembers that they encounter are understandable in their attitude toward Paris given his past, but they each fail to recognize he is there on his own accord; they are still in the Newtonian mindset where they understand the individual parts, but fail to grasp the total situation (FOWLETT). Kim confronts Paris about his misdeeds and says, “I don't need anyone to choose my friends for me” (Berman, 1995). Their relationship is already so strong from this comment. Paris also notes that he took full responsibility for his actions involving his time with the Maquis, increasing the characters overall trust we as viewers give him (Akin, 2020). Though he was put in a penal colony for the actions, he still has the trust of those in authority, which is why he was chosen for this mission and Janeway knows he has potential to grow and get past that part of his history. Later in the episode, Paris is the one who notices Kim isn’t on Voyager .“The writers put a lot into their relationship being developed” actors Robert Duncan McNeil and Garrett Wang note, who play Tom Paris and Harry Kim respectively (McNeil, Wang, 2020). Down on the planet, Kim and the stolen Maquis crewman get to know one another in captivity; despite their different backgrounds, they try to understand their situation together and become mutual allies because of their situation. This demonstration of the group forming process is what leads them to team up and eventually escape back to their ships (McNutt et al., 2004).

IV. Captain Janeway as a Leader

Janeway takes everything she is dealt one moment at a time, although she has more than one thing on her plate at a given time in the episode, she somehow manages to keep things in order to deal with each one to the best of her ability individually and not get distracted. While Janeway is not always perfect, she is a prime example of good leadership in practice. Janeway has a great understanding of her duty as a manager which allows her to cope with the natural complexities of commanding a starship. If she needs things done a specific way, she is tactful and organized, but ends up getting her followers motivated to get things done (Kotter as cited in Wren).

When Paris and Kim finally meet Janeway for the first time in her ready room, Kim is even more stressed than meeting other members of the ship. Janeway sees this panic in his behavior and puts him at ease, but keeps the situation formal as she is still the captain. Janeway knows what she wants and how she wants it done; she uses precision and accuracy to deliver her message of trust to Kim. Janeway is a very adaptive kind of leader. Everything she does is a causality of what is occurring around her; she is constantly looking at the bigger picture and highlighting areas where problems occur (Grashow et al., 2009).

Janeway stays as level-headed as she can in the distress of her damaged ship, but is forceful getting things accomplished. She recognizes that many of her crew have died and she still remains calm, not allowing herself to mourn them until the ship is in a more stable position (Akin, 2020). Janeway leaves the bridge in the hands of the remaining crew there and trusts they know what they are doing and to continue performing admirably with her absence as she goes to assess and command in engineering, where she is more urgently needed(Akin, 2020).

When Janeway arrives in Engineering she provides insight and guides them to a solution to fixing the ship, but she still leaves the duty of actually fixing, to the crewmen. Janeway took control and got them on to a problem solving path and then let them fix it in the end, even though she could have (Akin, 2020).

Janeway is adamant about getting onemember of her crew and a member of her enemy’s crew back; Janeway shows remorse and declares she needs to get to know who her crew really is in order to get them home. This moment is very thought out as she has actively demonstrated her urge to create connections with everyone she meets, but because she has lost Kim, she is doubting herself; in this moment, her feminine attributes could be a downfall, but overall it allows her to care for her crew like they are family (Beggan et al., 2004). In her nature, being a female also influences her leadership style; she reaches out to crew members in time of her own struggle despite her being higher up in the chain of command than them (Beggan et al., 2004). In this moment of self-reflection, her security officer says, “The crew will not benefit from the leadership of an exhausted captain” and she snaps out of her head to get back on track (Berman, 1995).She knows that if she is to be successful in saving Kim, capturing the Maquis, or even getting them all home, she needs to detach her strong emotions, but remain connected to the tasks at hand and she has that switch in her brain accessible, not letting the sociology define her leadership too much (Beggan et al., 2004). As noted in the Leadership Encyclopedia, women tend to be more democratic and throughout this episode she is constantly aiding a variety of people of which in return she receives input and counsel from them without asking for it (Beggan et al., 2004).

Captain Janeway makes all of the crucial decisions away from her higher ups. No one can dispute her except her followers, and they don’t, in this grand decision to travel back to the Alpha Quadrant the long way home because they have trust in their leader. Janeway essentially breaks down the barrier of what is normal and from this point further, the ship is unlike any other in Star Trek history. The crew of the Enterprise and Deep Space 9 were all very close, but Voyager became a family. Janeway made sure that even she got to know every crew member(Gabriel 2018). Janeway is noted throughout various forms of Trek media for her leadership. From her interactions with individuals, knowledge of when to put on her manager hat v. her leader one, to tactics in influence and delegation.

V. Other Leadership Demonstrated

In servant leadership, an individual leads by serving others, meaning they are not necessarily the one in command of a situation, but they lead themselves as being part of the followers . Tom makes a daring move when Chakotay gets stuck in one of the tunnels; he returns to help him escape. While each still having residual feuds from Tom betraying the Maquis by working with Starfleet, this brave example of servant leadership does not go amiss. While servant leadership general doesn’t include risk of bodily harm, Tom uses it as such, he had learned from earlier in the episode he had to initiate things for himself and in this he chooses to risk his own safety to serve the goal he had made for himself, “the invisible leader”(Northouse, 2019). In this same scenario, even in the face of death, Chakotay’s leadership style is in full display as he tries to command a situation he is not in command of; he virtually argues with Tom the entire time he is saving his life and is a clear display that authority is a personality trait for him. Tom has grown from the first time we see him in this episode to this point; in the beginning he was very the follower that required the use of several motivation tactics to get work out of, but at this moment he has learned that his growth as a person is stemming from not necessarily being in command of a position, but serving those in those positions to the best of their ability(Northouse, 2019). Despite Chakotay’s near death experience and Tom’s clear display of servant leadership, Chakotay’s attitude does not change, but there is a clear shift in his heart and end goal as he is willing to die to save both crews. At every encounter, Janeway has tried to negotiate and ultimately, she dooms her and The Maquis crew because of her unrequited obligation and active servant leadership: “We never asked to be involved… but we are” (Berman 1995). Without consultation, Chakotay agrees to join the crews and strand themselves far from home because it will save the Ocampa.

VI. Conclusion

Since time began, species far and wide have been looking for good leadership. Star Trek is just a glimpse into the future stating that while thought processes may become more evolved and technology will advance, individuals will still have the same core functions that they have always had. There will always be want to develop strong relations, there will always be some hesitation to trust everyone, and at some point will return to where one came from. Voyager is the embodiment of leadership both good and bad, it stresses moral debates, ethical dilemmas that often leaves you thinking. No one on board is perfect, but it is clear they will grow on the journey home.

(I apparently wrote the following paragraph after my conclusion and forgot to delete it before I submitted. Oops, I think I meant to find a way to work it in during the main paragraphs, but obviously never did)

Janeway left the bridge with Tom having a look of disappointment due to the fact that he never received orders. He had faith that he had gained Janeway’s trust to aid in other ways than just being ex-Maquis, but it is clear that Janeway takes full consideration of his identity right now. This small interaction displays how his time as a criminal has heightened his need for more hands-on leadership than the rest of the crew needs, in the future he needs to follow the invisible leader or else he will be left continually disappointed as we see here (Hickman et al., 2004). By the end of the episode, Tom has a huge shift where he becomes his own invisible leader and takes charge of his own situation (Hickman et al., 2004).

If you made it this far, thank you for reading. I really enjoyed writing this, however long ago it was.

[ivan-fyodorovich-k]

Since you’re a teacher, how have you dealt with the rise of AI like ChatGPT? I know people over here who basically stopped doing their work in favor of just asking an AI.

Honestly it's on the honor system. I do not integrate it into the class or the assignments and I tell students not to use it for anything. I am not interested in teaching them how to use it productively because I do not think there is any legitimate use for the technology whatsoever considering that LLMs are just massive plagiarism machines.

I know that some, even most students will cheat, but some students have always cheated. The software one uses to detect AI is itself an AI black box, and even using it, one cannot conclusively demonstrate that a student doesn't just happen to write in the way that AI writes. I would prefer to ignore the guilty than punish the innocent.

My overarching strategy is to weigh the course (and its grades) towards in-person things. Their final exams are hand-written in front of me, and I try to focus on in-class discussion and participation.

I think in the future when I have more institutional power (assuming I even continue in academia) I may try to design courses so that students who really want to learn how to write will have more writing-intensive assignments and students who can't be bothered at all will have other options. All the while continuing to emphasize the importance of in-person, face-to-face education.

The only long-term societal outcome of all this I can imagine is that it really does just make all education totally irrelevant--not because it is better than education, but because our society does not value education--and so the entire educational apparatus slowly consolidates into a handful of elite schools that just exist as formalized vehicles for wealthy elites to turn their children into wealthy elites while we politely ignore anything has gone wrong at all, which is to say we will continue doing what we have been doing for decades.

But the other problem with thinking about how to integrate it is that however it is integrated, a new technology that we cannot even fathom will replace it in a few short years anyway.

I've personally sort of checked out of that whole race, you can't keep ahead of it, so I find myself drifting into the posture of "politely ignore."

[thedragonagebigbang]

Quick Links: ▸ What is This Event? ▸ Schedule ▸ Rules ▸ Code of Conduct ▸ Content Guidelines ▸ Writer Requirements ▸ Artist Requirements ▸ Answered Questions

Event Info: Full Guidebook & Rules | Artist Guide | Writer Guide Contact The Mods: ask | discord | email: thedragonagebig@gmail.com

Event Rules

Our purpose in laying out these rules and code of conduct is to create a supportive, uplifting, inspiring, and fun experience for all participants, including the mod team. Please read the following with our intentions in mind, and understand that we would rather over-communicate than under-communicate expectations. 

In light of the above, by choosing to participate in this event, you agree to follow the rules and code of conduct outlined below.

Please familiarize yourself with the rules and reference them often.

This event follows a two-strike policy:

First infraction will receive a clear warning.

After receiving a warning, any further action that breaks event rules or code of conduct will end your participation in the event.

Certain infractions are subject to an instant dismissal, marked with an asterisk (*).

All work must be original.*

▸ Do not plagiarize others’ work.* ▸ Use of generated AI for writing or art in any form is prohibited. This includes “ReWrite” features in word processors/editor software.*

2. Participants must be 18+ years old.*

▸ Do not lie about your age.*

3. All works must be created specifically for this event.

▸ No part of your work can be something that was previously posted. ▸ Re-posting or using a previously published work is not allowed. ▸ WIPs should not be shared publicly until the event is over. This includes art streams, and information you discuss in other discords.

4. All work must follow this Bang’s content guidelines in order to be posted to the event collection and socials.

Guidelines are detailed in the Content Moderation document. ▸ Tag works appropriately. ▸ No underage sexual content may be produced as part of this event. ▸ Do not change the sexuality of canonically homosexual characters. ▸ Do not make canonically trans characters cis. ▸ Do not drastically alter skin tones from canon (do not whitewash).

5. Works must follow the formatting templates given for matching and advertising in order to be shared on the event social media.

▸ After the event is complete, creators are free to advertise and post their works as they wish.

6. Finished works must remain posted publicly for one year after your reveal date.

▸ If you choose to remove your association with the work, please either orphan your work or use the Anonymous option on AO3 out of respect for your bang partner’s contribution. 

7. Writers may not commission additional pieces of art for their fic until after the event is over.

8. Check your email and/or Discord regularly.

▸ All announcements and information will be cross-posted to both email, discord, & the event tumblr. If we can’t reach you and don’t have an explanation, we may assume you no longer want to participate.

9. Be familiar with event deadlines; you are responsible for meeting them. 

▸ They will be prominently featured on tumblr and Discord, so you will always have access to them if you need to refresh your memory.  ▸ Failure to meet deadlines may end your participation in the Bang. ▸ If it is discovered that you failed to meet a deadline and lied about your progress, your participation in the Bang is over and you will be banned from future participation.*

Event Info: Full Guidebook & Rules | Artist Guide | Writer Guide Contact The Mods: ask | discord | email: thedragonagebig@gmail.com All 2024 Work Posts | 2024 Wrap Up | 2024 AO3 Collection

[ondezxgroups]

Breaking the Journal Barrier: How to Get Your Research Published Faster

Publishing research work in a reputed journal is a dream for many scholars pursuing their PhD degrees. But it is often a difficult procedure full of rejection, endless changes, and a lot of guidelines. Be it the structuring of your manuscript, selection of the journal, or peer review comments, breaking these barriers necessitates a well-planned approach.

The article discusses the important stages in making your publication process faster and still maintaining a strong academic integrity. In it, you would also find tips on how to make your research process easier, should you be on the lookout for thesis help or expert thesis writing services.

1. Choose the Right Journal for Your Research

A major blunder that researchers make is that they submit the manuscript to an unsuitable journal. Each journal has its own scope, readership, and impact factor. Thus, to avoid unnecessary rejections, keep in mind the following things:

Read the Aims and Scope of the Journal: Match your research topic with the subject matters included in the journal.

Check the Impact Factor: If high-impact journals have competitive acceptance rates, measure the chances of being accepted.

Review the Already Published Articles: This would give an idea about the writing style preferred by the journal as well as the research themes covered.

For expert advice on selecting the appropriate journal, Ondezx gives professional consultancy to researchers.

2. Perfect Your Manuscript Before Submission

A well-organized and error-free manuscript boosts the chances of acceptance. Here are some ways to perfect your research paper: 

Follow Journal Formatting Guidelines: Each journal has formatting rules to be strictly followed by submitted manuscripts. 

Remove Plagiarism: Reputable plagiarism software should be employed to detect and ensure complete originality. 

Strengthen the Research Proposal: A strong proposal is what leads to a good research paper. 

Seek Help of Professional Editing Services: Professional language editors will edit each bit for perfection, as even a minor language issue could lead to rejection. 

If you need professional help with your thesis or need help writing your research proposal, Ondezx offers dedicated services to improve the quality of your manuscript. Visit their services for an in-depth approach.

3. Address Reviewer Comments Effectively

The peer review process is intense and often appears to be a major impediment in the publication pathway. Instead, consider the suggestions by the reviewers as the perfect opportunity to shape your work further. Here are ways in which you can tackle them together:

Accept the Whips: Accept constructive comments and modify accordingly.

Answer Every Comment Clearly: Structure your responses distinctly to every reviewer comment.

Defend Your Work Whenever Need Be: Where you disagree, you need to have compelling evidence to back your point. 

On top of that, Ondezx will work to render expert help in thesis writing services and peer review assistance to help you sail across this stage. Seek expert help from PhD professionals for easy publication in journals.

4. Stay Updated with Research Trends

In the highly competitive world of scholarly publishing, only those who follow trends can remain ahead in emerging scholarship. Adopt the following strategies: 

Keep abreast of reading leading journals: This allows you to know the kind of research being accepted. 

Engage in academic networking: Join the research community and attend conferences to collaborate with experts. 

Constantly update your literature review: A strong theoretical foundation upholds your manuscript's credibility.

Conclusion

Patience, perseverance, and strategy are required to advance through the journal barrier. By selecting the appropriate journal to send your manuscript to, polishing your manuscript, adequately addressing the comments of your reviewers, and keeping your ear to the ground on the current trends in your research field, you really increase the chance of publication within the requirement timeframe. 

If you need any assistance concerning your PhD degree research, thesis writing services, and research proposal development, Ondezx is there to provide step-by-step assistance. Connect with us for an end-to-end facilitation to guarantee success in your academic publications!

[thekalpar]

This is a Grift and You Shouldn't Fall for It

I want to talk about an article I saw from thebookseller.com that came out Monday which talks about a new AI-powered publishing platform called Spines which wants to disrupt the publishing industry by providing a new platform. I encourage you to read the actual article here, but I want to address how they are, based on my own observation as an independent author, a grift and why you shouldn’t fall for it.

Let’s address the first concern which I and probably a few other people have when presented with Spines’s goal of publishing 8,000 books in 2025 alone. Doing a very quick, unscientific google search, we can find that of the biggest traditional publishers in the United States, only Penguin Random House and Harper Collins publish more than 8,000 books a year, and these are massive global corporations. The next two largest, Hachette Book Group and Simon & Schuster, publish only roughly 2,000 books a year and these are still some of the big boys on the block. So the goal of publishing 8,000 books a year is certainly ambitious for Spines. How is this going to be done?

There are two possibilities and one is that a lot of this is going to be books produced in part or entirely by plagiarism software (“AI”). I want to acknowledge that as a real possibility, but I want to go forward with the good-faith assumption that there will be a significant number of passionate people who have poured their heart and soul into writing a book and are going to be taken advantage of by these techbros. Even before plagiarism software became widely available, self-publishing on Amazon had exploded and we saw millions of books self-published in just an ebook form every year. So I imagine that these people, who are self-publishing on Amazon and other places, are probably the market for Spines.

Now how do I know this is a scam? I do not have a ton of experience is self-publishing because I’ve only published two books at time of writing, but I do have recent hands-on experience which makes me qualified. There isn’t a lot of info in the article on what services Spines is offering but we get an exact number on cost as well as types of services in the article. “Spines costs $1,200 to $5,000 to automate proofreading, cover design, metadata optimisation and limited translation services, starting with Spanish.” Now, this may, on the low end, be cheaper than hiring professionals to do this kind of work, but it’s still going to be a scam because you’re going to get a shoddy product.

Let’s start with proofreading, which is under the umbrella of editing but is one of several types of editing. As Reedsy explains, there are four distinct types of editing, all of which come with specific costs. First there is editorial assessment, which is when you have a very, very rough draft and need some direction on writing it. (I have not yet done editorial assessment because I have been fortunate enough to be plagued with the knowledge of what I’m writing.) This is very broad advice which an AI cannot provide but a human can. Second is developmental editing for a finished manuscript, which is where you have an editor go through, provide specific feedback on areas for improvement and suggestions, and point out any major issues. This is where you get into rewrites and polishing a manuscript to a finished product. Again, and AI cannot do this.

So we finally come to copy editing and proofreading. Now, I’m going to fold them together although they are technically distinct because copy editing includes proofreading as well as making sure capitalization is consistent, tenses remain consistent, you don’t repeat yourself too much, all the little things which help polish the rough edges off of your manuscript. Proofreading is checking for spelling and typos, as well as grammar issues and any formatting issues. AI can do this, as tools like Grammarly exist for this sort of thing for a couple years now. (I wouldn’t recommend using Grammarly, but that’s a separate rant for a separate day.) Plus, you know, spellcheck which has been around since the 1990s. Technically this is a task which AI can do, but it can still make mistakes such as with homophones (the train went threw the tunnel). And with so many free tools available if you’re going to have AI do this task, why pay someone else to do it? AI is not going to give you insightful, meaningful feedback on your manuscript, but it will do spellcheck for you and LibreOffice does that for free anyway. So paying to have AI proofread your manuscripts doesn’t make any financial sense.

Let’s move on to the next area they want to automate, cover design. Again, I have limited experience and I can say very definitively that you can get a good cover for about $750 USD from a professional artist who will produce what you want and will be able to keep things you like but change things you don’t with an incomplete project. Plagiarism software that creates images cannot do that. Unless they’re hiring artists to touch up and improve generated images (which I doubt), all Spines is offering is another service you can get for free or cheaper elsewhere online. I highly advise against generating your cover images, if only for the fact the computer cannot give you exactly what you want. You can feed prompts into it and maybe get something close enough, but if you have a specific image of what you want for your book cover you cannot get that from AI. There are a lot of ethical arguments against plagiarism software as well, but I won’t repeat those here just for brevity’s sake. Again, if you’re willing to use plagiarism software to make your book cover, which is what the guys at Spines are offering, then you can do that cheaper elsewhere.

The final one which I can speak with any authority on is metadata, which I’ve had to enter for my own books before and you can too. For those who don’t know, metadata is information attached to the book’s ISBN and publication info that provides info about the book. This can be basic info such as the intended audience, the genre, and the subject matter, but it can also be more granular like what type of fantasy novel you have (romantasy vs cozy). While it can be an annoying or frustrating task, such as when every word to describe my book flies out of my head when I have to actually describe it, it’s also fairly simple. And I’m going to be honest, I don’t expect the AI to do much more beyond algorithm scraping and suggesting metadata like “for you” and “trending”. (Sort of like those videos that spam every popular tag in the hope of getting traction.) So I seriously doubt that this will be a service worth any sum of money.

Finally I’m going to touch briefly on translation because I haven’t translated a book and I don’t know what goes into translating one either but I can make an educated guess that it’s going to be the equivalent of pasting your manuscript into Google Translate. If you’re willing to accept that level of quality, you can get it for free. If you want a good translation you’re going to have to shell out far more money to get an actual person to do it.

And all of this doesn’t even get to a very important part of publishing, ISBNs. If you’re self-publishing you absolutely want to buy your own ISBNs, and buy multiple because they cost less if you buy them in bulk and you will need separate ISBNs for both the print and digital editions of your books. I don’t know if Spines is offering ISBNs as part of their package, they certainly could, but for independent authors it’s best practice to use your own ISBNs because you can control those opposed to whatever platform you publish on.

So are the AI-powered services that Spines is going to provide be worth it? I highly doubt it. For the amount of money you’ll end up spending you’d be better off actually hiring humans to help you with your book and get it to a finished, polished state. I can’t see this company offering you anything that isn’t already available for free or nearly free elsewhere with the same lackluster quality. If you have something you’re writing, you’re passionate about it, and you want to publish it, I highly encourage you to get real human beings to help you improve it. Reedsy (which this is not an ad for) is the platform I have used to get in contact with editors and artists to help get my books out into the world. But I’m sure plenty of other independent authors can help you find all sorts of other people able and willing to help. Spines is merely charging you for the privilege of receiving substandard work spat out by a computer.

[rhbangevents]

GUIDELINES

General Rules

You are expected to read, understand, and adhere to the event rules. If you do not understand something, it is your responsibility to ask the moderators for clarification.

All participants must be 18 years and older by the time you submit your sign up form. If you do not meet this requirement, please withhold and wait until you are of age to participate. The mods will be verifying your age via social media.

You will maintain awareness of the event schedule, and manage your own time accordingly.

You will meet all check-in points and submit drafts when they are scheduled/requested.

You will join the event's Discord server, and regularly check it. You are not required to interact with people on the server if you don’t wish to BUT please check the announcements, and don’t hesitate to ask a mod if you are confused about something. 

You and your event partner(s) will establish an agreed upon level of collaboration and communicate about progress and ideas or desired changes accordingly.

You will communicate with your event partner(s) and the moderators in a timely and professional manner. This includes responding within 24 hours to all Discord messages and/or emails.You must have the knowledge and equipment/materials to make your fic or art, and backup plans in place in the case of equipment or software failure.

All participants must provide a working email address they check regularly. This will be considered a backup communication tool for mods. Your email will not be shared with anyone else.

You must communicate in a professional and timely manner with your partner(s) and the moderators. Please respond to messages within 48 hours. 

Treat all participants in the event with dignity and respect. If anything or anyone during the event makes you uncomfortable, or if you encounter any unresolved issues that cannot be handled privately, please reach out to the moderators for assistance.

Participants are responsible for managing their time and must adhere to the schedule. If you are unable to submit a check-in, please notify a moderator beforehand. Failure to check-in without prior notice may result in removal from the event.

Public discussion or display of any content created for the event is prohibited before the official posting dates. Please keep discussion of your content for the event limited to the Discord Server. Discussion of your artwork should only take place within their respective channels (on Writer or Artist channels, not on general chat)

You may not plan to collaborate with a Writer in advance.

Content Creation Rules

All content must be new and created specifically for the event. Plagiarism is not allowed.

This event is about M/M Renheng and/or Xingyue, so you are only allowed to make content with these two (2) as the main focus. Side ships are allowed and platonic ones are also allowed. Switch dynamics (hengren) or them being paired romantically with other characters is not allowed.

All content should be appropriately tagged upon final posting. We will be using the Ao3 rating system. We recommend that any story or art featuring explicit violence and/or sexual content be labeled as Explicit.

G: Suitable for general audiences 

T: Suitable for teen and up audiences 

M: Suitable for mature audiences only 

E: Explicit and only suitable for adults. 

Rules for Artists

We accept all forms of visual art (digital, traditional) except for AI-generated works.

Unfinished artwork such as preliminary sketches or uncolored line art will be excluded from the event (backgrounds and full color are optional, but the artwork must not be a work-in-progress or sketch).

For traditional works, ensure a clear scan or photograph of your artwork is provided.

AI-generated works are strictly prohibited.

Artists may revise their submissions or create additional artworks if desired. However, all submitted pieces must be considered complete. A multi-page comic would be considered a single art piece.

You must be willing to communicate with your assigned author throughout the process, unless otherwise agreed upon. Do not ghost your authors!

Artists will submit a minimum of one artwork. If the event has uneven numbers of Artists and Writers, moderators may allow Artists to submit more than one piece.

Artists will submit their art through a provided form. This process is anonymous, so we ask that you submit your work without your name/social media attached. You may put a generic watermark on your work that does not include your name or other identifying labels. You may put your name on it once we start posting!

When submitting art for claims, please appropriately tag and provide a short description of your work. In addition, the submissions form will ask you to provide a list of Wants/Do Not Wants. Keep in mind that authors are only asked to strictly adhere to “Do Not Wants”. For example: 

Wants: A certain AU, a certain dynamic or ship etc

Do Not Wants: Explicit content, gore, etc

Artists may absolutely create additional artwork for the fic if you choose to do so, but it is not mandatory.

Artists who will draw NSFW are also required to upload their works on Bluesky; this is to minimize the chances of your content getting flagged.

During check-in week, Artists will be asked to provide a work in progress (“WIP”) of their piece. You should at least have one sketch/rough layout by this point. After Check-in 1, moderators may decide to allow Artists to submit multiple pieces if participant numbers are uneven. If this occurs, additional guidance will be provided via announcements in the Discord Server.  

Rules for Writers

All authors must have an Ao3 account, and post their final work to the collection on Ao3.

Authors are required to write a fic of at least 2,000 words based on the artwork they have selected.

For multi-chapter fics, the total word count across all posted chapters must meet the minimum requirement. All fics must be completed by the end of the event. 

AI-generated content is strictly prohibited.

Having a Beta Reader is mandatory for this event to ensure written works are free of basic spelling and grammar errors. Writers can either use an existing Beta Reader or request one from the server!

There is no maximum limit, so feel free to write as much as you'd like. However, all creations must be completed and posted in full during your assigned posting date.

Writers must strictly adhere to restrictions set forth by the Artists (Their “Do Not Wants”). Please do not claim art with restrictions that you cannot uphold. Fics should be related to the artwork in some way and be discussed with the Artist. 

Writers may not deviate drastically from the artwork or agreed upon plot without Artist input/permission. Please work with your Artists when changes are needed. 

While an Artist may want to change aspects of their art to fit your fic or create additional artwork, they are not obligated to do so. 

Fics for the event must be written in English as the primary language. You are more than welcome to translate your fic to another language in addition to English.

Rules for Beta Readers

Please indicate on your sign-up form if you would like to be a Beta Reader! You can sign up for the event exclusively as a Beta Reader if you wish! 

Beta Readers can choose to work with a particular author, or be available for any author. A Discord role and channel will be offered to Beta Readers.

If a Writer wishes to find a Beta Reader from the Discord server, they should post in the designated channel with a brief summary of their fic, its timeline, word count, and any relevant content warnings. Beta Readers can then select which fics they feel comfortable Beta-reading based on the content warnings and summaries provided, and contact the Writer to discuss their availability.

Rules for Pinch Hitters

Please indicate on your sign-up form if you would like to be a pitch hitter (Writer)! After claims, any unclaimed artwork will be reassigned; first come, first served!

Pinch Hitters will follow the same rules as the Writer role, so please consider that artwork in need of a pinch hit may portray characters, ships, or scenarios that you may not be able to write for. Pinch Hitters will NOT be forced to work with anyone, but if you take this role, please keep an open mind. Please also think carefully about whether you are able to potentially write two fics for the event. 

“I’m an Artist, but I also write! Can I sign up to be both?” Artists may sign up for the Pinch Hitter role. But you may NOT sign up to be a Writer as well as an Artist. You also may not write for your own artwork.

A Writer may decide that they can handle creating two fics, and may sign up to be a Pinch Hitter in addition to the Writer Role. 

Pinch Hitters may NOT discuss or reveal what, if any, artwork were unclaimed. This is incredibly inappropriate and makes hard-working Artists feel bad about their artwork. 

OTHER GUIDELINES

Guidelines for Dropping Out

Life happens! Please review the following information regarding when you need to communicate your choice to leave the event to the mods:

You do NOT need to let a mod know about your intent to drop the event if you are*: 

An Artist who has decided not to submit any artwork before Claims.

A Writer who has decided not to claim any artwork.

A Beta Reader or Pinch Hitter, before Claims.

*Anyone who drops the event this way will not be penalized, and may participate in the event again in the future. 

For all other situations, if you need to drop the event, please message the mod team communicating your intent to drop the event. We do not need to know your reasoning!

We highly encourage you to communicate your intent to drop out to your partner as soon as possible. 

Anyone who drops the event this way will not be penalized in any way, and may participate in the event again in the future. 

Some situations would result in a ban. These situations include, but are not limited to: 

Ghosting your partner & failure to respond to mod team 

Missing a check-in without prior approval from the mods.

Inappropriate behavior in the server that goes against the server rules

Guidelines for Posting

Posting will occur over the final week of the event. There will not be assigned posting days or posting claims. Each pair will be able to choose any day/time during posting week to post their works but you cannot post your art yet if your partner isn't finished with theirs. Every participant will be required to fill out a final Google Form providing a link to your content. 

Step 1: Talk to your partner and discuss/ decide on the following things:

What social media will you post on?

What day will you be posting? Please decide on a day that BOTH works will be posted on. Writers, you’re welcome to post remaining chapters of your story after your agreed date, but you must at least post your first chapter along with your Artist.

There are NO claims for posting dates, so please choose one that works best for your schedules!

How would you like to credit and reference each other’s work in your post? 

For Writers, you might talk about embedding your Artist’s artwork into your fic on Ao3.

For Artists, consider posting a link to your author’s fic. 

Please also consider crediting your Beta Reader, or anyone who helped you along the way! 

Step 2: Post your work!: As a reminder, both pieces must be publicly available. Please do not forget to tag your partners!

Writers, please add your fic to the Ao3 Collection for the event. You may create separate promotional materials for your fic and post to social media if you wish.

Artists, please post your full piece to the social media of your choosing. We highly encourage you to place watermarks on your final work.

Optional, but highly encouraged to tag the Reverse MiniBang account in your post.

[drillbit123]

Plagiarism Checker Software: A Vital Tool for Academic Integrity in Today's Generation

In today's fast-paced digital age, maintaining academic integrity has become more challenging than ever before. With an abundance of information available at our fingertips, students and researchers often struggle to ensure that their work is original and free from plagiarism. That's where plagiarism checker software comes in as a vital tool for academic integrity.

Plagiarism checker software empowers individuals to efficiently detect any instances of copied content by comparing it against a vast database of online sources. This not only helps to maintain academic honesty but also fosters a culture of credibility and innovation.

Additionally, plagiarism checker software offers numerous benefits, including the ability to detect unintentional plagiarism, improve writing skills, and save time and effort. Whether you're a student completing an assignment or a researcher publishing a paper, utilizing plagiarism checker software is an essential step in ensuring the integrity and originality of your work.

In this article, we will delve into the importance of plagiarism checker software, its benefits, and how it can be a game-changer in promoting academic integrity in today's generation. So, let's explore this essential tool together and discover how it can help shape the future of education and research.

Benefits of Using Plagiarism Checker Software

In an era where information is readily accessible, maintaining originality in academic work is more crucial than ever. One of the primary benefits of using plagiarism checker software is the ability to detect unintentional plagiarism. Many students and researchers may inadvertently paraphrase or replicate existing ideas without proper citation, leading to potential accusations of dishonesty. By employing a plagiarism checker, individuals can identify these instances before submission, allowing for necessary revisions and fostering a deeper understanding of proper citation practices. This proactive approach not only ensures academic integrity but also promotes a culture of respect for intellectual property.

Furthermore, plagiarism checkers can significantly enhance writing skills. When users receive feedback about copied content, they are encouraged to rephrase, summarize, or analyze their sources more critically. This process cultivates better writing habits, as individuals learn to express ideas in their own voice while maintaining the essence of the original material. Over time, this practice can lead to improved academic performance and a more confident approach to writing assignments, research papers, and other scholarly works.

Additionally, utilizing plagiarism checker software can save both time and effort in the long run. The manual process of checking for plagiarism involves extensive research and cross-referencing multiple sources, which can be incredibly time-consuming. With automated tools, users can quickly scan their documents against vast databases, receiving immediate feedback on potential issues. This efficiency allows students and researchers to focus on other important aspects of their work, such as refining their arguments and enhancing their analysis, ultimately leading to a more polished final product.

What is Plagiarism Checker Software?

Plagiarism checker software is a digital tool designed to identify instances of copied or improperly cited content within a text. These tools use advanced algorithms to compare submitted documents against extensive databases of existing literature, academic papers, and online content. When users input their work into the software, it generates a report highlighting any similarities with other sources, indicating the percentage of originality and pinpointing specific sections that may require citation or rephrasing.

The functionality of these tools goes beyond mere detection; they also provide educational resources that help users understand the nuances of plagiarism and citation styles. Many plagiarism checkers offer tips on how to paraphrase effectively, ensuring that users not only avoid plagiarism but also develop their writing skills. This educational component is particularly beneficial for students who may be unfamiliar with proper citation practices or the importance of academic integrity.

Moreover, plagiarism checker software is available in various forms, from free online tools to subscription-based services that offer comprehensive features. Some specialized software is tailored for academic institutions, providing educators with the ability to monitor student submissions across multiple assignments. This versatility makes plagiarism checkers accessible to a wide range of users, including high school students, university scholars, and professionals preparing reports or articles for publication.

How Does Plagiarism Checker Software Work?

Plagiarism checker software operates through a systematic process that involves several key steps. Initially, the user uploads or copies the text they wish to check for plagiarism into the software interface. Once the document is submitted, the software scans the text and breaks it down into smaller phrases or sentences. This segmentation allows for a more nuanced comparison against its database, which includes millions of sources, ranging from academic journals to websites and other published works.

After analyzing the text, the software generates a report that outlines the findings. This report typically includes a percentage score indicating the overall originality of the document, along with specific instances of matching content. Users can see which sections of their work correspond to external sources, making it easy to identify areas that need revision or proper citation. Some advanced plagiarism checkers even provide links to the original sources, allowing users to review the content and make informed decisions about how to adjust their own writing.

Additionally, many plagiarism checkers incorporate machine learning and artificial intelligence to improve their accuracy and efficiency over time. These technologies enable the software to continuously update its database, ensuring that users receive the most current and relevant comparisons. As a result, the accuracy of the plagiarism detection process is enhanced, giving users greater confidence in the integrity of their work. This sophisticated approach not only aids in preventing academic dishonesty but also fosters a greater appreciation for original thought and creativity in writing.

Conclusion: Emphasizing the Significance of Plagiarism Checker Software in Maintaining Integrity

In conclusion, plagiarism checker software plays a pivotal role in upholding academic integrity in today's fast-paced digital landscape. As students and researchers navigate an ocean of information, the risk of unintentional plagiarism becomes increasingly prevalent. By utilizing these tools, individuals can ensure that their work is original and correctly referenced, thereby avoiding the pitfalls of academic dishonesty. This commitment to integrity not only benefits the individual but also contributes to a culture of respect for intellectual property within the academic community.

Moreover, the educational aspect of plagiarism checkers cannot be overlooked. As users engage with these tools, they develop essential writing skills that extend beyond merely avoiding plagiarism. The process of analyzing and reworking content fosters critical thinking and creativity, ultimately enhancing the quality of academic work. This transformation is particularly important in an era where the ability to articulate ideas clearly and effectively is paramount for success in any field.

As we move forward in an increasingly interconnected world, the importance of plagiarism checker software in maintaining academic integrity will only grow. It serves as a safeguard against dishonesty and a catalyst for genuine intellectual engagement. By embracing this technology, students and researchers alike can contribute to a future where originality, creativity, and respect for knowledge are celebrated, ensuring that academic pursuits remain a true reflection of individual thought and effort.

[thevoiceofdog]

Reiterating Our Position on AI.

Given this platform's recent intent to sell user data to generative AI companies, we had to put a lot of consideration into deleting this blog.

We're not going to. Yet.

To be clear, it has been and will always remain the position of the Voice of Dog that nothing of what we feature on the show is AI-generated. Submitted stories must be in your own words, which absolutely rules out AI, and we reserve the right to deny or remove a story if we have reason to believe AI--or any other means of plagiarism--has been used to make it. All the stories are by real members of the furry community. Any images are by actual artists, even if only on a let-me-ask-if-my-boyfriend-will-draw-that basis, as is tradition. The closest an AI will ever get to anything you hear from us is the spell-check in someone's word processor or the noise-reduction filter in someone's audio editing software.

We have zero confidence that the opt-out in the blog settings will be respected, especially given reports that Tumblr's intended enforcement mechanism is the honor system. This will stop nothing.

But given the possibility that it is an attempt to assemble a "clean" training database, that companies will attempt to claim is fully consensual despite inevitably containing data from writers and artists who did not in any consent, we are making the following statement: We do not consent for any material to be used for the purposes of training generative AI. Not one word. Not one pixel. Not one second of audio.

One factor in this has been that we don't anticipate that anything they take from us--and we expect they will, again, we have zero confidence that the opt-out will be in any way respected either by Tumblr or the companies they sell user data to--will actually be useful. Our episodes are not embedded. What will they get? The "today's story is-" intros, some promotion of author's other works, and URLs to where episodes can be listened to. None of that data is useful.

Another factor is that, if they want to copy and plagiarize our work, they don't need Tumblr's help to do it. The only way to keep them from copying the stories we tell would be to not tell stories, which is not an option and will never be an option. This does not constitute consent! The act of plagiarism is and remains reprehensible, but it is not on us to prevent you from practicing it against us. The fact we cannot realistically stop a plagiarist makes them more culpable, not less.

It remains very possible that this decision will cause the collapse of the community here, such that there will be no benefit to remaining.

Until such a time, So long as any soul has a story to tell, So long is any listener waits at the fireside, We will be here.

Thank you for listening to the Voice of Dog.

[themostefficientwaywithwater]

plagiarism from a random ass indie game studio is such a non issue though nintendo is doing something evil with this shit

Oh no no don't get me wrong, Nintendo's trash for doing this, I can't be on their side when they are so "trigger happy" at suing people for the most inconsequential shit (i.e. cease and desist orders for uploading fangames, nuking Citra, that one man they put in jail for 3 years and stole all his income for the rest of life, etc.). And I'm completely against software patents, which do nothing but limit the creativity of developers just because adding to a game something as simple as checks notes "an icon that points at the character's orientation when they're behind a wall"? could get you sued so that company can suck out your money.

What I meant is that, although Pocket Pair's action is a lesser evil, I still have to disagree with a company whose main strategy is to blatantly copy features from other "mainstream" games without other reasoning than "if it worked for them it'll work for us", without adding anything meaningful of their own creation. Specially when, besides Pokémon and Breath of the Wild, they allegedly plagiarized from Hollow Knight, "another"* indie game, so the excuse of "they're doing it only to big companies lmao cope" doesn't really apply. I just don't want indie games to become yet another souless field where everyone tries to copy everyone just because a game with X genre/feature succeeded so now everyone has to forcibly add it to their games to try to appeal to players, even if it's detrimental (it's kind of happening already, with the surge of farming simulators and metroidvanias in response to stardew valley and hollow knight, just like it happened with open worlds in AAA's in response to BOTW). Pocket Pair has exhibited an utter lack of creativity, I've watched some gameplays of Palworld and I've found it… souless, and I think it only succeeded because people where disillusioned with Pokémon (as someone who likes Pokémon: god same) and Palworld is a pokémon shitpost made game. And if you like Palworld? Good for you! Honestly! But I don't think we should support these kind of practices just "to own Nintendo/Gamefreak/insert-shitty-company-here" when they seem to be willing to steal from indies too.

That being said, I don't support what Nintendo is doing. Software patents, as a whole, are a mistake, specially at the hands of a company who has done shit like fucking stalk a fangame developer or sue a family for putting a pikachu in their son's grave. I'm not going to defend them for this, no matter how much dislike the company they're suing. But I still dislike Pocket Pair, and I'm not going to idolize them just for facing the titan that is Nintendo. That's all. Both of them suck. It's just that, while they both fart, one is louder and smells worse.

(*) I want to add that the lines between indie/not indie are a bit blurry right now but, while Pocket Pair is small in comparison to the AAA industry, I don't really think the "indie" label fits it; or, at least, it feels a bit unfair to put a game like Palworld (made with a team of 50-something people and a budget of 6 million) in the same group as Stardew Valley, Hollow Knight, Celeste, etc., which much smaller teams and budgets. IDK, just rambling tbh

[davidcampiti]

SEEKING ADVICE

Today I received this email: "I'm looking for some advice. I'm an aspiring comic artist, I'm still learning by attending the last year of comic school. I'd like to know what a professional penciler or colorist portfolio should look like for you."

Here was my answer:  

Before submitting your portfolio, take the time to check out what the publisher is publishing.  Check out their website.  Look at their books. If your stuff doesn't "fit" what they're doing, it may not be the best place to seek a job.  

Be smart with preparing your portfolio.  If you're preparing a .PDF of your work, create a cover page with some great art, your name and full contact information and credits (if any).  Make sure your name is in the file name of your .PDF, so there's no guesswork who sent it.

See if the potential employers have specific requirements for your submission.  If they want a single .PDF of your work, don't submit .jpgs. If they want a download link to your work, send tht link, not an email stuffed with a large file.  Don't send them to an ArtStation or DeviantArt account that's packed with old stuff or art unrelated to the job you want.

A professional portfolio should be clear about what kind of assignment or job you are applying for.  More important, it should look as though you've already been doing it for years.

For a professional editor or agent, it's disheartening to see a portfolio that LOOKS like an "art school portfolio" stuffed with unrelated assignments and sketches.  

If you want to be a graphic designer, show your finished graphic designs that look like read book pages, ads, brochures, or whatever you're showing.  If you want to be a cover artist, show me some covers.  If you want to draw licensing art (Disney, Dreamworks, whatever), you have to prove you can draw on-model without copying/tracing drawings you've already seen.

If you want to draw comics, then DRAW COMICS. Showing sketches of characters with balled-up fists and gritting their teeth are useless to me.  Comics are sequential storytelling where characters live and breathe on the page in consistent environments convincing in the style you use.  Body language, gesture, expression, are all critical.  Do characters interact with their environments? Do they make eye contact? Are they believable?

Also remember that experienced editors and agents already know all the tricks.  If your work looks digital to them, they'll wonder why you didn't do enough to make it look better.  If you swipe, they'll usually catch the swipes.  

And if you use AI (plagiarism software), you've already lost the job.