Really? I thought to myself. Would someone just email me and ask to publish an article that’s all ready to go? Life is just too easy. So I responded:

Micah,

This would be ok by us. Send over the article and any links you want to your other blogs or profiles. We’ll add them to the post stating your a guest author.

- RLG

Literally two minutes later ”Micah” responded:

Perfect. That article is attached and the link is in the article. Let me know when it goes up if you could!
Thanks,
Micah

Indeed “Micah’s” article was attached with the following title: “The Top iPhone Apps for Lawyers”. Clearly the title needed some work. Maybe: “Top iPhone Apps for Lawyers” or “Top 10 iPhone Apps for Lawyers”.

Then I started counting…1, 2, 3…7. There were only 7? What am I supposed to do with 7 “Micah”?

Then I read the opening line of “Micah” article:

Whether you’re a corporate lawyer or divorce attorney, these top apps are bound to make life a little easier and more manageable.

Here, “Micah” creates some arbitrary spectrum from “corporate lawyers to divorce attorneys”. Clearly “Micah” wasn’t a lawyer and knew nothing about the legal profession.

Time for a Google search for his post. I Googled the description of “Micah’s” first iPhone application:

While you’ll find a myriad of voice recording apps on the market, Note2Self is intuitive and easy to use, perfect for capturing phone numbers or other important information on the go.  The app automatically starts recording once you hold the phone up to your ear and when you’re finished, it prompts a menu that allows you to email the file.

This is where the wheels started to come off. I noticed the first two results from Google were from The Mac Lawyer - Ben Stevens. Maybe this was a coincidence?

I then stumbled across one of Ben’s posts called “Our Favorite Go-To, Get-It-Done, Easy-To-Use iPhone Apps for Law“.

Here, I noticed some similarities in what “Micah” sent and what Ben Stevens wrote back on April 2, 2009. Look at the format “Micah” used and I’ve underlined the similarities.

MICAH:

Note2Self ($2.99) – While you’ll find a myriad of voice recording apps on the market, Note2Self is intuitive and easy to use, perfect for capturing phone numbers or other important information on the go.  The app automatically starts recording once you hold the phone up to your ear and when you’re finished, it prompts a menu that allows you to email the file.

BEN:

Note2Self ($2.99):  This is David’s favorite voice recorder on the iPhone. It automatically starts recording when you hold it up to your ear and as soon as you are done, it gives you an easy menu that allows you to email the voice file to yourself (or your secretary). This is perfect for capturing ideas and tasks for later action.

Notice how “Micah” put the same pricing information right after the iPhone application. Notice also how the words used are very similar.

Here’s “Micah’s” post v. Ben Steven’s post. Notice the similarities:

MICAH:

Things ($9.99) – Arguably the best task manager app available at the iTunes store, Things offers users a clean interface and light learning curve.   Easily and quickly add and monitor tasks and sync the app with your Mac via a wireless network.

BEN:

Things ($9.99): Currently the best-selling task management app at the iTunes store, Things is also based on the “GTD” system. Many users, including Reid, like the simpler, cleaner interface and easier learning curve than OmniFocus. Tasks are easily added and monitored, and related items like web pages and documents are easily associated with each one. Things also has a Mac application–named Best of Macworld 2009–that syncs with the iPhone via any wireless network.

MICAH:

Cliff Maier Attorney Reference Apps (up to $8.99) – These reference apps cover a wide range of various federal and state rules and statutes.  You can download the reference apps specific to your jurisdiction.

BEN:

Cliff Maier Attorney Reference Apps ($0.99 to $8.99):  Attorney and part time iPhone application developer Cliff Maier has released a variety of reference applications for the iPhone covering various federal and state rules and statutes. Being a California attorney, David particularly like having the California Evidence Code and Code of Civil Procedure on his iPhone. Jeff loves the Fed. R. Civ. Pro. and Fed. R. App. Pro. apps.  The applications range in price from $0.99 to $8.99 and cover a variety of federal and state jurisdictions.  Jeff posted an interview with Cliff Maier on iPhone J.D., along with several reviews of many of these apps.  They were great when they were first released, and with the recent addition of features such as bookmarks, a jump button, improved search, and multiple ways of viewing the rules (by sections are “flattened” all at once), Cliff Maier has set the standard for what a good iPhone legal reference app can be.

MICAH:

Air Sharing ($4.99) – Quickly access computer files (e.g. text documents, spreadsheets, etc.) directly from your iPhone using the Air Sharing app.

BEN:

Air Sharing ($4.99):  One of the more popular apps for the iPhone allows you to access your computer files (documents, spreadsheets, slideshows, etc.) from your iPhone, provided you have set up access to those files via the Air Sharing service. Takes about 10 minutes to set up, then works like a charm. Was free in beta, now $4.99.

MICAH:

Twitterfon (free) – If you’re using social media as a way to promote your firm, a twitter app that lets you update your account directly from your phone is an absolute must.

BEN:

TwitterFon (free):  This is currently Jeff’s favorite Twitter app.

MICAH:

Facebook for iPhone (free) – On that note, the same goes for this popular Facebook app that makes it easy to update your status, send messages and check your fan page while on the go.

BEN:

Facebook for iPhone (free): Popular and useful for accessing Facebook when you are away from your computer. Works well, as it allows updates of your status, monitoring of others’ status, and chatting with online friends.  Ben uses this far more often than he should, and Jeff is also quickly finding it addictive.

MICAH:

ABA Journal (free) – Read the latest news and information posted by this legal journal right on your phone.

BEN:

ABA Journal (free):  The latest legal news.

Wow, those sound very similar. Ok so maybe they just happened to check out the same applications at Apple.com? Right?

Nope. Unfortunately, “Micah’s” appear in the same chronological order as they do on Ben’s post. (Ben included many more than “Micah”). Yep, go right down the line on Ben’s post and you’ll find they are in the same exact order as Ben’s.

Also, “Micah’s” thoughts were almost identical to Ben’s – to the very line!

I responded to “Micah” after realizing “Micah” was a fake blogger:

Do you work for AppReview (The only place “Micah” wanted a link to) or is there another link you’d like for your professional profile? Are you in the legal profession?

- RLG

It’s been 2 days without word from the fake blogger “Micah“.

Thanks for the post idea “Micah” – not sure if this is what you were looking for.

UPDATE: “Micah” emails back:

I’m actually working on my undergrad right now, I don’t work for AppReview. There is a link in the piece that can work as the professional link.
Thank you!
-Micah

So I respond:

Where’s this link? I can’t seem to find it anywhere?
 
Also, have you ever read The Mac Lawyer blog? – http://www.themaclawyer.com/

Micah responds:

Oh, my mistake. That appreview link is the right one for that post, so that will work as the professional link.

I haven’t gone to maclawyer, but I’ll definitely go check it out!

Thanks!

So I respond:

You seem very confused with what you are talking about.
 
Are you being paid to get blog posts posted places? How can the AppReview link be your professional link when you claim you don’t work for them?

Micah:

They are actually a client of mine. I’m working on helping them get some blog posts up. I am in independent contractor, so I have other clients as well. I do apologize for the confusion.

Mystery solved.

Lesson 1: Don’t lie. Instead of saying “I’m interested in doing a guest post for your blog” say “I’m interested in promoting a client of mine on your blog”. Micah, you could make more money by blogging for yourself and not AppReview.

Lesson 2: DO NOT OUTSOURCE YOUR BLOGGING TO ANYONE. Shame on AppReview for outsourcing their blogging to third parties and trying to game the system. This is exactly what Sport Illustrated recently did when they tried to game Digg.

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