I get RVTravel’s newsletter on a regular basis. The other morning I popped it open and gave a glance through as I always do. Part way through I noticed that a new blog, “The Digital RVer” was listed. Peaked my interest. I wondered if they’d linked to the Digital RV’s blog page.
As it turns out, wasn’t a link to the Digital RV. Instead it’s a new listing for a blog via RVTravel’s web site. I haven’t known what to make of it so far, but thought I’d post about it as several friends in the RV community have reacted very strongly regarding it.
For more than a year now the book, The Digital RV, has been in print. Honestly, it’s the first book I know of dedicated to introducing RV’ers to the concept that being a DigitalRVer may help save space, and add to your next journey. The book isn’t written for the high end computer savvy folks, rather as a primer to get RVers thinking about what today’s digital technology can add to their RV’ing experience.
There have been Digital RVers out there for quite some time. And there are more RVers out there who aren’t yet. That’s why I put the book together, and put the Digital RV site up in the first place. To share information, encourage folks to consider the whole new set of options available to them, and get them talking about possibilities. For the talking part, the blogs I regularly update, and Digital RV Forum have been kept up for well over a year.
So, in the end I’m not too bothered with a blog having such a similar title. But I thought I’d post about it, get reader comments, and give everyone a friendly reminder, The Digital RV is still available. Second edition is coming soon, but first edition is still rolling out too. 
Alright, weigh in if you like on the topic in the comments here. Nothing wrong with a little friendly competition. Think most folks have been bothered because the titling is just a touch similar to The Digital RV.
Guess I’ll need to focus more on the new service offerings at the Digital RV as well.
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Where to start. First, I guess I should say that I am one of the folks that is bothered by the copycatting of this title. The fact that RVTravel thinks by adding an “er” to a title of a book (that has a copy write), a registered domain, and an active message forum, somehow makes it O.K. really makes me question their integrity - among other things. As a matter of fact, the url on the RVTravel link does NOT even bother to add the “er”, it’s just digitalrv, how’s that for confusing?
I am very much in favor of people writing about subjects of their own interest and specialty. How can it be bad for me if one technologically savvy individual wants to compare Verizon AirCards, and the other wants to compare Sprint? No - this is a good and even great thing as far as I am concerned. This sort of competitive edge keeps people sharp, honest, and begs them to become a person’s trusted source by proving they know of which they speak (or write). I do not condemn what RVTravel is doing in adding a blog about technology and our RV’s. What I have a problem with is the trickery in which they would employ to confuse those of us who have learned to trust in The Digital RV, a trust which Rich has worked hard to earn.