Not a problem, just a question

[ubetta]

I've noticed here that sometimes people are posting articles or things from other sites without putting them in quotes and acknowleging the source. I was taught that is a BIG no no...one it's confusing as you have no idea who is actually doing the writing..the person posting or someone posting, 2. because of copy write laws.
That is 'allowed' here?

that used to bug me to death and it still does when someone posts a news story that you think just happened, but it's actually years old. But in an informal situation like this, i figure no harm/no foul. So long as they don't tack on a 'i just had a great idea' or something similar -claiming the content, it's not that big a deal on routine posts. a lot of folks copy and post it simply with the idea of sharing it or think it may be good for a conversation here. And if they are new to forums or chatting online and if they've never dealt with it , i can't expect them to know. better that they just participate, eh?

But it can get confusing..lol i'll find myself trying to figure out where i heard something before....

[anastrophe]

this has been discussed at length previously.

when posting copyrighted material, one *should* provide attribution, if only as a courtesy. however, under most circumstances, what is posted here falls within Fair Use.

but beyond that, the FG administrators cannot take responsibility for any given posts conformity with copyright law. if someone is in violation of someone else's copyright, then the copyright holder is welcome to contact us regarding the material's disposition, and we'll be happy to address the matter.

we do not, however, have an obligation to act as policemen here. if you see something you believe is in violation of someone else's copyright, then by all means, contact the copyright holder and let them know.

so no, it's not a matter of it being 'allowed' here. the onus is not on us to parse every posting for violation of copyright. the onus is on us to remove copyrighted material if the copyright holder makes a clear claim; we're happy to do so under such circumstances.

[ubetta]

Ok, I was just asking. I find it confusing when someone posts a whole article as if it's their own... you think it's them 'talking' but it's not. I certainly wasn't implying that I would report anyone... Again, it was just a question, lol.

[Accountable]

Originally Posted by ubetta

Ok, I was just asking. I find it confusing when someone posts a whole article as if it's their own... you think it's them 'talking' but it's not. I certainly wasn't implying that I would report anyone... Again, it was just a question, lol.

I'm sure 98% understand your meaning. It's just good etiquette.

Originally Posted by ubetta

Ok, I was just asking. I find it confusing when someone posts a whole article as if it's their own... you think it's them 'talking' but it's not. I certainly wasn't implying that I would report anyone... Again, it was just a question, lol.

I read it the way i thought you meant it, not as a threat or anything close..lol. And i agree it gets confusing when they seem to go from one manner of posting to another. It's harder to get a feel for them.

And I think that when stuff like this comes up the head gardeners have to go into offical speak mode to answer it. I don't think he was trying to smack ya - trust me, when he gets riled, we know it! lol

[Accountable]

Dontcha hate being new & feel you have to do the eggshell dance?
Of course if you don't, people think you're rude.
Damned if you do, damned if you don't.

We like ya though!!

[anastrophe]

sorry if i came off strongly there. it's a delicate issue. too often, people presume that a forum's moderators are de facto forum police. so it hits a nerve with me.

I HATE COPS!!!!!



(just teasing, LC!)

[lady cop]

Originally Posted by anastrophe

I HATE COPS!!!!!



(just teasing, LC!)

oh that's OK Paul *sniff* *sniffle* *sob*

[anastrophe]

there there. this will take your mind off things.

http://www.simplyphysics.com/flying_objects.html