4 ms·

Blogspam. Original press release from Drexel University: http://www.drexel.edu/now/news-media/releases/archive/2012/June/Drivers-Side-Mirror-With-No-Blind-Spot

by gjm11 14y ago

Blogspam. Original press release from Drexel University: http://www.drexel.edu/now/news-media/releases/archive/2012/June/Drivers-Side-Mirror-With-No-Blind-Spot-Receives-US-Patent/ http://www.drexel.edu/now/news-media/releases/archive/2012/J... Added value in PhysOrg article: zero. Please, everyone, stop submitting links from PhysOrg and ScienceDaily. I have never ever ever seen anything on those sites that isn't either (1) bullshit or (2) a recycled press release with zero (or often negative) added value. (Sometimes it's both at once.) It only takes ten seconds' googling to find the original source.

dhimes 14y ago
I think you are a little harsh in bashing the sources. Their value is that they serve as a distribution of press releases from many sources. That is exactly how a press release is supposed to be used. And I can go to a press-release redistribution site and see press releases from various organizations in a related field instead of having to check each organization individually. Yes, please filter the bullshit. But submitting from press-release redistribution sites is ok. If it's of further interest, submit the original paper. In this case, the paper (scientific news) is old- it's the step in the business direction that is being disclosed.
- sp332 14y ago
  While I agree that the sites are useful, HN guidelines request that you submit the original article. That reduces the number of duplicate submissions.
  - dhimes 14y ago
    Reducing duplicate submissions is an excellent point. I took the guideline to be more along the lines of "don't link articles like 'geez guys look at this cool article I found on wavepackets. Works for me!'" But I can certainly see the value of submitting the original PR if the site simply mirrors it.
GFischer 14y ago
Is there a good aggregator for that sort of stories that does add value? (I don't visit either site, but an aggregator with that focus might be worth visiting).
sp332 14y ago
This site might not add anything, but it's not blogspam. It includes the full text of the press release. Blogspam is like this: http://www.reastech.org/best-android-phones-available-today/ http://www.reastech.org/best-android-phones-available-today/ It just gives a piece or a summary of the article (so they can't be accused of copyright infringement) and is only meant to funnel your eyeballs past their ads.

by gjm11 14y ago

dhimes 14y ago

I think you are a little harsh in bashing the sources. Their value is that they serve as a distribution of press releases from many sources. That is exactly how a press release is supposed to be used. And I can go to a press-release redistribution site and see press releases from various organizations in a related field instead of having to check each organization individually. Yes, please filter the bullshit. But submitting from press-release redistribution sites is ok. If it's of further interest, submit the original paper. In this case, the paper (scientific news) is old- it's the step in the business direction that is being disclosed.

sp332 14y ago
While I agree that the sites are useful, HN guidelines request that you submit the original article. That reduces the number of duplicate submissions.
- dhimes 14y ago
  Reducing duplicate submissions is an excellent point. I took the guideline to be more along the lines of "don't link articles like 'geez guys look at this cool article I found on wavepackets. Works for me!'" But I can certainly see the value of submitting the original PR if the site simply mirrors it.

GFischer 14y ago

Is there a good aggregator for that sort of stories that does add value? (I don't visit either site, but an aggregator with that focus might be worth visiting).

sp332 14y ago

This site might not add anything, but it's not blogspam. It includes the full text of the press release. Blogspam is like this: http://www.reastech.org/best-android-phones-available-today/ http://www.reastech.org/best-android-phones-available-today/ It just gives a piece or a summary of the article (so they can't be accused of copyright infringement) and is only meant to funnel your eyeballs past their ads.