03 November 2005
Ok.... drama....
As most of you know... I create a lot of my own graphics, ect that I use on my blog using PSP. I'm a true PSP addict. The graphics that aren't created by me, personally, I've used with the creators written permission (weither given to me personally, or as a general permission that anyone can use their graphics for their own personal use (such as I've done). I don't just go to other's websites (blogs or otherwise) and take what I think looks cool and post it here.

I'm saying this because there seems to be "drama" going on between people that I know, and no, I'm not going to name people... that isn't what this post is about! I just want to give ya'll some knowledge and/or a perspective that you may or may not have.

It a lot of times takes hours (yes! I just said hours!) to make graphics. There is not only a lot of time put into them, but a lot of personal thought and creativity. It's really no different than what crafters put into their things that you see for sale at a craft bazarre. You wouldn't walk up to your neighbor that does crafts and take their stuff to decorate your home without their permission, so why do people think it's ok to take graphics made by other people to decorate their websites (be it a blog, or anything else)?! I just don't understand this!

I've heard it said, "If they don't want their stuff used by other people, then they shouldn't put it out there on the web!" more times than I can count! But here's my own personally perspective on this... people are PROUD of the work they do (I know that I am!) and like to show it to other people! Does the WEB give other people "permission" to take what isn't theirs to use as they wish?? Going back to crafts... If a person makes stuff for their home, and displays it on their wall, would you take it just cuz you liked it and think it would look good on YOUR wall? I don't think so.

I guess my basic feeling on this is that I think more people in general need to have more respect for the time, effort, and creativity that people put into graphics. Agree with me or not, that's your right! It's a right that I've given up my husband as Active Duty for 3 years for, being literally 1,000 miles away from eachother... and still give him up now as a Reservist to protect that right of yours!

I know! Kinda an "off post" from me... but it's something that I (obviously) feel very strongly about! I hope ya'll have a wonderful night! :)

 
posted by Melis at 11:28 PM | Permalink |


6 Comments:


  • At Friday, November 04, 2005 9:18:00 AM, Blogger momma of 2

    Melis - you do great work- and people shouldn't just take it - it is stealing. Enough said.

    hey - thank your hubby for us - we love our Servicemen (& WOMEN) who do what they do...

    Hope you have a great day - and don't stop creating - just find a way for people not to take your stuff.... I don't know how though.

     

  • At Friday, November 04, 2005 9:34:00 AM, Blogger Mandi

    I agree that people should not take stuff and make it their own without permission. I personally wonuldn't have the faintest cluse how to "steal" a graphic! :) Your stuff is gorgeous and I have no doubt that it takes you forever...keep it up!

     

  • At Friday, November 04, 2005 10:21:00 AM, Blogger CozyMama

    I see where you are coming from Melis, but you are posting Maxine on your site, do you have permission for that? Seriously, what is the difference. I am sorry, i know how long it takes to make that stuff, but I only put stuff on my blog because I LIKE IT, you were the one that pointed out that I could not see the whole stationary, I did not know, I did not rip it apart, I copied it and pasted it. That is all. I am actually feeling sick over all this and wish that it would all stop. I hope that this is not going to put any kind of damper on us, we have known each other a long time.

     

  • At Friday, November 04, 2005 11:58:00 AM, Blogger Melis

    Momma - Thank you for the compliment! And I'll be sure to tell hubby, he always thinks it's cool when people say something! (and makes me proud too!) :)

    Mandi - Thanks for the compliment, and the words of encouragement! Mean a lot to me!! :)

    Jodi - The picture of Maxine has the artists siggy on it, so yes, the tag creator gave credit and could use it. The actual tag that I posted? The creator has given explicit permission right on her site to use her work for personal use only, without altering it or selling it. So yes! I have permission as I stated in my post! So I guess to answer your question, permission is I suppose the difference. As far as the Incredimail stat - I'm sure that it said in the subject line "stat", and I'm sure you knew that you didn't have incredimail, and "copy & pasting" IS what ripping is. But what is between you and her is just that.. between you and her, not you and I. These are MY OWN PERSONAL opinions, and as I stated in my post, nobody has to agree with me. :)

     

  • At Friday, November 04, 2005 2:14:00 PM, Anonymous Anonymous

    Right on Melis, I agree 100%. I put a HUGE amount of hours making a web site, you seen it. Well I removed it, and someone had taken everything and I mean everything, source code and pretty much all graphics (all but 4) and redid the site and pawned it off as their own!!! Until I confronted them about it, because I was in disbelief they would do that. Even if you disable the right mouse clicking on your site, people still have the ability to steal your work, sad but true!! It happened to me!!

     

  • At Friday, November 04, 2005 2:35:00 PM, Anonymous Anonymous

    One more comment, should start a web site "Hall of Shame" and list the sites/people who do this!!!

     
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