Shady domains using similar names to established, larger sites are nothing new- web users often find themselves navigating into unfamiliar waters due to a simple typo, and many of the sites capitalizing on this habit are not exactly above board.

Not surprising, the website Twiter.com hosts content that is visually similar to Twitter, and could ostensibly attract less-savvy web users who may not be fully familiar with the Twitter interface. Also unsurprising is the fact that Twitter has filed a case with the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) over the deception.

When you open Twiter.com, nothing majorly nefarious happens to your computer. But the site attempts to collect personal information. After answering three simple questions, Twiter prompts you to select from a bevy of prizes, including a MacBook Air and an iPad and asks for your email and phone number. Ostensibly, after this, they spam the hell out of you.

Twitter has pursued similar miscreants in the past, according to Fusible:

The only other case filed to date by Twitter Inc with WIPO involved twittersearch.com back in 2010, a domain dispute that wasn’t decided by WIPO,  but the company still was successful in having the name transferred.  As I reported in February, though no decision had been officially announced by WIPO and the case was cancelled, the registrant of twittersearch.com is now Twitter, Inc.

The case is still active, so the outcome is pending. Should people be prevented from this kind of behavior, or do you think the web is a bit more caveat emptor?

[Inevitable] Twitter Sues Website “Twiter” is a post from: The Inquisitr

According to Plurk, the service is “a really snazzy site that allows you to showcase the events that make up your life, and follow the events of the people that matter to you, in deliciously digestible short messages called plurks.” At first glance, I’d call it Twitter with a visual timeline.

Plurk has an emphasis on actions as opposed to clean slate message, and each user is offered there number plus a drop down list with actions such as is, thinking, was, asks and similar. Each “plurk” is posted to a visual timeline that includes drop down threads for replies. The service also offers “cliques” for plurk distribution and various privacy options.

The one definite thing I can say about the service is that visually it’s different, and that can be read in both a positive and negative way. The layout shakes up the staid microblogging format Twitter popularized, and yet it may take some getting use to as I’m not a huge fan so far. The service is already experiencing serious growth pains with features being disabled, including custom avatars and importing friends (least the gmail import didn’t work for me). Still, early days and people who are willing to explore new ideas are always worthy of at least some support. You can add me as a friend on Plurk here and it’s worth a look.

Today’s Hot Meme Comes To Us From Plurk is a post from: The Inquisitr