In the course of the past week, I have seen a good number of posts here about a new content site called WEKU.
When Steemit became unavailable on Monday, I found myself visiting a couple of Discord communities and the name came up again.
Having nothing else majorly in the works, I checked it out... and want to pass along the following (important, I think!) observations.
But first this:
TL;DR:
- WEKU is a new Steemit clone.
- Scammers/domain squatters have been registering Steemit user names there.
- YOUR name could be misused to copy your content for their profit.
- YOUR name could be misused to run scams.
- Go "claim" your name there, so it can't be misused! Do it NOW!
- Here's a link to sign up: Register on WEKU (I think you'll still get an early signup bonus!)
End TL;DR
Towards new horizons?
Now for the long version:
OK, I'll Bite, What's a "WEKU?"
WEKU pretty much presents as a carbon copy of Steemit, but more like a pre-hardfork18 Steemit. It looks, feels and acts pretty much like a Steemit "clone."
I won't get into the details of how it's different from here, although I might put up a more thorough review once I have explored it for a few weeks. Because it IS different, in some ways.
At a cursory glance, it does appear that too much thought and effort has been put into it for it to just be a "scam." Besides, if you don't have to pay anything, it's hard to call it a "scam" since you are not at risk.
However, it DOES present an interesting conundrum for Steemians: It's both an opportunity to become a very early adopter (as in, "first couple of weeks") of something new and possibly beneficial, AND there's a "threat of risk" there that I suggest you act on as soon as possible!
Scammers are like dandelions: They show up EVERYwhere!
RISK? What "risk?" I don't even KNOW this place!
As I said, WEKU is a Steemit clone.
Unfortunately, a few of the world's less scrupulous "domain squatters" immediately rushed in and have been making accounts in the name of many of Steemit's more visible members.
For example, well known Steemit community member 
You might think that you don't really need another thing like Steemit, but here's why you really ought to care:
The people taking "good names" are interested in ONE thing only: MONEY. Your name has "value" attached to it, because you've built a reputation with it. But they don't give a shit about that.
View across the bay, late afternoon...
A Couple of Pretty Sad Scenarios for your Consideration
The base idea behind "name squatting" is to sell your name. For profit. YOU are the best candidate! Because you already have a body of work and reputation attached to that name.
But that's not the most negative scenario.
Scenario ONE: The domain squatter either USES your "appropriated" account to copy/post your Steemit content, pretending it's you, and pockets all the profit from your work. Alternate version: they just sell the name to someone who copies and profits from your work.
Scenario TWO: The domain squatter sells your misappropriated WEKU account to a scammer, who runs scams or phishing attacks using your good name causing a lot of damage because your name has trust attached to it. Even though it's not YOU doing the scamming.
Like these guys, stake your claim!
What do I Suggest?
Take a couple of preventive steps that will consume all of ten minutes of your life!
At the very least, I highly recommend to everyone to at least go to WEKU and make an account there just so you can "claim your name."
Now, you may not use the account ever again, but you can make sure someone else can't misuse your good name and reputation. And can't copy your stuff from elsewhere and profit from YOUR work.
Maybe this is just a form of FUD (Fear, Uncertainty, Doubt), but isn't it better to be safe than sorry later?
I felt that to be so. I have had too much damn content copied and stolen over the past 20 years! And it still irks me that someone else took "Denmarkguy" on YouTube, before I tried!
So I basically made an account, and then added an introductory post declaring myself "me," in a public way. Pretty much the same procedure as when I created my Steemit account.
Peaceful northern sunset
What to Expect of the signup process:
It's quick and easy to do.
There's little "new" to learn, if you know Steemit. WEKU basically looks and feels like an older version of Steemit. Basically, a clone. Easy peasy.
UNlike Steemit, signup is quick and painless. No waiting for several days to be approved. You'll be asked for an email address to verify, and then you'll be sent a second verification via SMS text. End of story. At least that was true on Monday.
Good Luck!
Truth in disclosure: The links in this post will list me as your "referrer." I'm not sure if I get anything for that, but I'm pretty sure using the link means you'll get a signup bonus of 100.00 Weku, which is the local currency over there, kinda like Steem. And I think I can "see" that you joined, so I'll be able to connect with you there, as well!
Think of it as something similar to an "airdrop;" it'll be posted to your account automatically, within about 24-48 hours. You don't have to DO anything to get it.
As for Weku — the tokens — they are just "Monopoly money" for now; they don't have any cash value; not tradeable... but there's allegedly going to be an ICO in 3-6 months, and who knows... the little bonus now might end up being 50 or 100 free dollars. Who knows? No guarantees, there.
And hopefully all will be peaceful from here on in...
A Few Final Thoughts
In poking around while Steemit was "off the air" WEKU was an easy to use (because there is no learning curve) "fallback option" for those times when Steemit is acting up. Or is just annoying you, or whatever.
In less than a couple of days, I've already connected with more than 50 Steemians I know. That part is kind of fun.
I have NO intention of stopping on Steemit in favor of WEKU... this was simply a defensive move to get a "toehold." I hate that life is so full of scammers and opportunists... but so it evidently IS, with these gigs!
I might explore WEKU it a little further in the next couple of weeks and post a "proper" review, because there ARE some fundamental differences from Steemit that could make this a viable social content venue.
But for now you should just "stake your claim" before a scammer takes your name!
(I really didn't try to make that rhyme... seriously)
So one last time, here's that signup link again.
And if you've already done this, good for you!
Comments are always welcome! You can always leave me a link to your new WEKU account or intro post, and I'll go connect with you. Or if you're already THERE, drop me a link, too!
(As usual, all text and images by the author, unless otherwise credited. This is original content, created expressly for Steemit)
Created at 180919 13:31 PDT
Posted via SteemPeak.com