It's all gone to shit

What about us?

Web-based businesses should ensure that their web presence gives potential clients a good impression of the company as a whole. As they say, first impressions last. It's like asking a girl out on a date, if you look like shit, she's more likely to turn you down. Garbage-tier predatory publishers not only resort to unsolicited commercial email, but their websites often have glaring anomalies that indicate a lack of attention to detail.

Take this example, from RAS Publishers. They came to my attention when I was contacted by Ms. Mary, who positively hopes, with great desire, that my precious article can be sent to her in less than a week. Because, clearly, I have nothing better to do.

Microbiology and Infectious Diseases (ISSN 2766_838X) Greetings from RAS Microbiology and Infectious Diseases Journal! My self-Ms. Mary Managing editor of RAS Microbiology and Infectious Diseases Journal, as this is an open access peer reviewed scientific journal that covers the topic relevant to fields like Basic Microbiology, Virology, Immunology, HIV, Aids, Biochemical Technology, Pathology, Biology, Allergy therapy, Fermentation Technology, Vaccines, etc.. With a great desire we warmly welcome your precious article if you have any ongoing articles for publication in RAS Microbiology and Infectious Diseases Journal through this email attachment directly or with the below following link. Link: http://www.raspublishers.com/journals/details/Microbiology Submission date: On or before November15, 2021. With Positive Hope, Ms. Mary

Well, well. The journal covers both HIV and AIDS; talk about belt and braces. Presumably, her positive hope isn't a reference to the outcome of her test.

Out of utter bordom curiosity I visited their site. Each page has a standard footer, with a link to read more on their About Us page where, presumably, their blurb isn't cut off in its prime.

About Us LC RAS Publishers LLC is an open access publisher that publishes research and discussion. The entire content published with RAS Publishers LLC is freely accessible online immediately upon publication. The mission is to make Open Access affordable, fast and easier f Read More

RAS Publishers LLC

Except that would be expecting too much, bordering on competence even. But it's amusing that the About Us page still has that truncated blurb in the footer.

RAS Publishers' About Us page is blank

Microbiology Journal...?

First we had Ms Mary's Positive Hope, and now Ms Joy's. It's been nineteen months, and I don't recall having received anything from RAS publishers in the interim. Perhaps they're just too busy dealing with submissions from those keen researchers who value their quality publishing, and approach them directly themselves.

My new correspondent is contacting me on behalf of Microbiology Journal; or RAS Micro Biology; or possibly RAS Microbiology and Infectious Diseases, again. Neither of us are quite certain which. Does it even matter? (shrug)

Anyhoo, Ms Joy has gone through a recently published article, and found it very impressive and helpful for scientific research. It can't've been one of mine then!

From: microbiology journal <rasmicro5.journal@gmail.com>
Date: Wed, 7 Jun 2023 14:01:00 +0530
Message-ID: <CANkKKt9BwjPHV=uvKs+xDzeP9X-grWumb+VWb+B5pJe+Lp5LMg@mail.gmail.com>
Subject: Eminent support to our journal RAS Micro Biology (ISSN 2766-838X)
Greetings from RAS Microbiology and Infectious Diseases (ISSN 2766-838X) Myself Ms. Joy Managing editor of Microbiology Journal, as this is an open access peer reviewed scientific journal that covers the topic relevant to fields of Microbiology related research topics. We have gone through a recently published article and it is very impressive and helpful for scientific research. With a great desire we warmly welcome your precious article if you have any ongoing articles for publication in Microbiology Journal through this email attachment directly or with the below following link. Submission link: Submit Manuscript (raspublishers.com) Journals link : RAS Microbiology and Infectious Diseases (raspublishers.com) Submission date: On or before June 10, 2023. With Positive Hope, Ms. Joy
Date: Wed, 07 Jun 2023 11:45:31 +0200
Subject: Re: Eminent support to our journal RAS Micro Biology (ISSN 2766-838X)
To: microbiology journal <rasmicro5.journal@gmail.com>
Dear Ms Joy, What is the title of your journal? Because you refer to Microbiology Journal; RAS Micro Biology; and RAS Microbiology and Infectious Diseases. Sincerely,

Enlightenment! It's not Microbiology Journal after all. Seemingly unfazed, though, Ms Joy is keen for me to share my article. I guess she didn't even register the reason behind my question in the first place.

From: microbiology journal <rasmicro5.journal@gmail.com>
Date: Fri, 9 Jun 2023 14:35:22 +0530
Message-ID: <CANkKKt8vLCwHVBBDiBkmugqLscSbFiHGZdHpdVwZzRi4aXbS+A@mail.gmail.com>
Subject: Re: Support to our journal : RAS Micro Biology (ISSN 2766-838X)
Good Day! Thank you for your response and below is the journal name. RAS Microbiology and Infectious Diseases. Kindly share the article ASAP and let us know if anything is required. With best regards, Ms.Joy
Date: Fri, 09 Jun 2023 11:15:47 +0200
Subject: Re: Support to our journal : RAS Micro Biology (ISSN 2766-838X)
To: microbiology journal <rasmicro5.journal@gmail.com>
My only requirement is for low-rent Indian predatory publishers to stop spamming me.

Ms Joy returns to spread anything but. At least she has positive hope—as opposed to negative hope? (confused)—although I can't for the life of me think why.

Date: Tue, 13 Feb 2024 00:25:27 +0530
From: Editorial Office <editor@raspublishers.com>
Subject: Eminent support to our journal RAS Microbiology (ISSN 2766-838X)
Dear Dr. [snip], Good Day! Greetings from RAS Microbiology and Infectious Diseases (ISSN 2766-838X). We are planning to release a new issue so kindly share your original research/Case reports/ Review/ Short papers and also inform your friends/colleagues on the same. Kindly send the article as an attachment to this email.Our journal indexed in WorldCat, SIS, Google Scholor, SciLit, Cross Ref and Research Gate. Submission link: Submit Manuscript (raspublishers.com) Submission date: On or before Feb 25, 2024. Looking forward to receiving a positive response from you and let us know if anything. With Positive Hope, Ms. Joy.

Not two weeks have passed and Ms Joy is still positively hoping. She's not the only one.

Date: Thu, 22 Feb 2024 22:39:26 +0530
From: Editorial Office <editor@raspublishers.com>
Subject: Your manuscript publication in new issue: RAS Microbiology (ISSN
 2766-838X)
Dear Dr. [snip], Good Day! Greetings from RAS Microbiology and Infectious Diseases (ISSN 2766-838X). We are planning to release a new issue so kindly share your original research/Case reports/ Review/ Short papers and also inform your friends/colleagues on the same. Kindly send the article as an attachment to this email.Our journal indexed in WorldCat, SIS, Google Scholor, SciLit, Cross Ref and Research Gate. Submission link: Submit Manuscript (raspublishers.com) Submission date: On or before Feb 29, 2024. Looking forward to receiving a positive response from you and let us know if anything. With Positive Hope, Ms. Joy.
Date: Thu, 22 Feb 2024 19:46:50 +0100
Subject: Re: Your manuscript publication in new issue: RAS Microbiology (ISSN
 2766-838X)
To: Editorial Office <editor@raspublishers.com>
I positively hope that you will stop spamming me.

In belated response to my reply of 07.06.2023, Ms Joy spreads anything but.

From: microbiology journal <rasmicro5.journal@gmail.com>
Date: Mon, 8 Apr 2024 11:25:11 +0530
Subject: Re: Eminent support to our journal RAS Micro Biology (ISSN 2766-838X)
Dear Dr. [snip], Good Day! Thank you for your positive response. We wish to have to your article towards the journal so Kindly may I know your view on submission of your work? I await your response. With Positive Hope, Ms. Joy
Subject: Re: Eminent support to our journal RAS Micro Biology (ISSN 2766-838X)
Date: Mon, 8 Apr 2024 11:09:07 +0200
To: microbiology journal <rasmicro5.journal@gmail.com>
Dear Ms Joy, If you promise to hold your breath until I submit my work, I promise to submit when hell freezes over. Sincerely,

This damned ho is either not that bright, or not clued in to the subtleties of the English language.

From: microbiology journal <rasmicro5.journal@gmail.com>
Date: Mon, 8 Apr 2024 16:49:36 +0530
Subject: Re: Eminent support to our journal RAS Micro Biology (ISSN 2766-838X)
Dear Dr. [snip], Good Day! Thank you for your response and noted your comments. Kindly share your article once you have it and also suggest this journal to friends/colleagues on same. With Positive Hope, Ms. Joy