Web design isn’t difficult, in fact, if you’ve got the time and a bit of inspiration, it’s actually quite easy and if you’re powered by a pre-built CMS (like, for example, WordPress) the actual coding is somewhat simplified too – you don’t need to worry about the low level stuff, and can just throw bits onto the page as you need them. That’s how TheSixthAxis works – although we started with a custom built system (thanks, Michael) we moved onto WordPress after just under a year and barring a few server issues the free, open source software has served us well.
TSA’s design and structure has gone back and forth a few times, but between myself and Alex we’re pretty happy with our decisions to push our original content a little harder but always ensuring that the newsy stuff is up there too – hopefully you, our lovely readers and loyal fans, also agree. We moved to the current design in February of 2010, and it’s slowly grown and evolved since then to what it is now.
And, whilst we’re more than happy to help out other sites as we continue to grow (seriously, contact us if you run a site, we’d be delighted to take a look) there’s one Turkish site that’s continuously borrowed our design and our content without our permission and against our greater wishes. We’ve tried to keep in touch and at first the site in question was happy enough to credit us with a link, but since then despite our best, friendly efforts, that has stopped and right now – well, you’d have a hard time distinguishing the two – look:
Yes, it’s like spot the difference – except, of course, one is in Turkish. We’ve tried everything to reach out to these guys but it’s simply not happening (If anyone speaks Turkish that could assist with communicating between the sites that would be most helpful), so rather than continue to get emotional about the whole thing (you’ll notice some TSA staffers being a wee bit more grumpy than normal recently) we’re just to throw the site out there so you guys know that the Turkish site isn’t affiliated with us in any way and all the visuals, HTML and CSS are used without our consent. To repeat what it says in our footer next to our copyright notice: thesixthaxis does not license content or design to any other site.
It’s a shame, really – but when people are in contact asking if they’re anything to do with us perhaps it’s time to say publicly that they’re not. But, you know, if you’re Turkish (as some of our readers are) then perhaps the other site might suit your needs a little better. Good luck to them, we certainly don’t want to wish them any harm although it’s safe to say they’d probably be much better off in this industry with their own style. And again, if anyone out there running a gaming site or blog with some nice content wants to get in touch, cool – drop us a line – although we’d rather you had your own design…
Armonster9000
Kick their asses.
billsmugs
I don’t know how much it helps (probably very little) but I’ve posted a short review of the fake site on its McAffee site advisor page, with a link to this article. Trouble is, unless you’re willing to go down the legally dodgy route of the Wikileaks supporters, there’s not much you can do to remove things from the internet entirely (even governments might find it hard sometimes) :(
DJ Judas
May I suggest a 4chan new years bomb? :p
nofi
We just want to make contact and find out why they’re doing what they’re doing and to make sure our readers are aware there’s no link. We don’t mean anyone any harm.
DJ Judas
I appreciate that, the high-road is always the best route to take.
I understand why someone might want to replicate TSA’s design as it is a very good one. The really annoying thing is there are a plethora of excellent designers who offer their work for free via WP, yet they steal a private one.
Jack6
Your design is awesome.
But putting M$ invasive mega-ad-backgrounds hasn’t been a good decision, IMO.
Dexter17
I seem to remember something being reported like this a while back, and they say that imitation is the sincerest form of flattery! Absolutely disgusting.
fattyuk
Well guess it is in a weird way? If they where to ask, and make it clear that it is basically thesixthaxis.com, and make a contribution the sixth axis.com…. At least it’s a small start to world-wide publicity, along as tsa made money from them “publishing” tsa in Turkish……… Until then yes it’s rude and dam right wrong! But if tpif you could make money from em see as expanding.
Really grange way to see it I know.
fattyuk
Terrible English Soz lol bit pished
fattyuk
Well I guess it is in a weird way? If they where to ask, and make it clear that it is thesixthaxis.com, and make a contribution to the sixth axis.com, why not? At least it’s a small start to world-wide publicity, along as tsa made money from them “publishing” tsa in Turkish……… Until then yes it’s rude and dam right wrong! And a piss take to the tsa writers effort and time! Try and get money out of em! If not get em shut down. Simples.
Rocket_345
Is this the site that you reported was stealing the design a few months back ??? Absolutely disgraceful is what they are. They have just completely ripped off a brilliant site design. The twats.
Bigrider
They have changed the background to Killzone.
mappdaniel
TAKE EM DOWN!!
Shlomi1995
I think you should change the article’s name from “Tsa, now in turkish” to something else.