Reel Reviews Radio

A request for a bid for copying my site design popped up in my aggregator tonight.

If you can just clone this site without the content subject, but have all the same functionality and style, that is perfect.

Now, first of all, my site runs on Michael Heilemann’s terrific K2 theme. I really like the theme he built. I used it for a while, but thought a 3-column layout that maintained the spirit of K2 would be more appropriate for my uses. I looked around and got a general idea of what I wanted and then hired Firas Durri (a terrific WordPress expert) to build a style on top of the K2 theme. I am extremely happy with the results. I have since leveraged the design across a number of sites I run or produce including MWGblog, Podcast Solutions and Grape Radio.

Jason Calacanis has often posted about his frustration of wholesale copying of his sites. I think I understand his anger. Inspiration is one thing, I was inspired by Jason’s sites. But just copying? That is weak. K2 is distributed freely, and many styles built on top of K2 are freely available. I found it funny to see a request to pay money to copy my site design before anyone asked me if I would be willing to provide it. A friend suggested I bid on the project. Best part is the project stipulates that the, “buyer will receive exclusive and complete copyrights to all work purchased”. Priceless.