1. It doesn’t take a skilled eye to see the two templates are strikingly similar. The second guy to produce the template whould acknowledge the first. We all know it.

2. Scoble complaining about not getting links? LOL

The reference to “jumping the shark” is perfect.

http://www.micropersuasion.com/2007/01/blog_platforms_.html

Aside from that, I have no problem with Terry Ng creating a theme that looks remarkably similar to Cutline.

That said, the thing that I do have a problem with is the fact that he staunchly denies any influence from Cutline whatsoever.

Little nuances like the horizontal rule at the top of the page make me believe that the similarities between the two themes are more than just pure coincidence.

Granted, the rule in Akon is 20px from the top of the page and a bit lighter than Cutline’s, but these elements are quite similar. Also, the slim picture at the top of the design is nothing if not reminiscent of the Cutline header.

Notice, too, the placement of the date of each post as well as the link to the number of comments. Also, have a look at the placement of the categories—each of these elements is positioned identically to their counterparts in Cutline.

The search field also contains the identical default text, “To search, type and hit enter.”

Stylistically, these two themes share quite a few commonalities, and had I created Cutline with inspiration from Akon, then I certainly would have credited Terry for his influence. My problem here is simply that he doesn’t even give me so much as a hat tip, and then when confronted about it, he flat out denies any link between the two themes.

Despite all this, if I’ve learned anything in the last couple of years, it’s that hoping someone else is going to take the right action is a useless ambition.

So, in the interest of saving energy and looking ahead, I’m going to let this one rest.

It stinks not to get a link out of the deal, too, but Cutline has gotten me thousands of links, so what the hell do I care?

Besides, I didn’t see Kineda on the list for “best designed blog”

2. My guess, as long time contributor to various franchise forums, is that there is less than meets the eye in claims that blogs were disappearing.

a) Often people will retract their claims in the face of a Notice of Libel and Slander.

b) One of the franchise sites, Blue Mau Mau, has has had technical problems before.

Admitting when you are wrong asap is always the best way forward in the long-run…