Posts from — December 2004

I am sick as a dog. This is so not a good time of year for me to be sick. If my posts on here are few and far between this week, that will be why. I have got to get over this cold…Anyone got some Nyquil??

http://www.radicalgeorgiamoderate.org
Warning: This blog is not for those under 18 or those that may happen to be Republican or conservative. Anyway, it is a funny blog nonetheless and it gets today’s blog of the day. Enjoy.

I hope this article helps to clear up some confusion concerning copyright issues. Enjoy.

7 Online Copyright Myths
By Judith Kallos

Possunt quia posse videntur.

(Latin: They can because they think they can.)

One of the most misunderstood issues online has to do with copyright. Both with e-mail and Web site copyright issues. For some reason, as with many things online, there is this incorrect perception that anything goes. However, many are finding out the hard way that when it comes to protecting creative collateral, copyright is law. And, copyright laws can and are being enforced online.

No, I am not an attorney. Nor do I play one on T.V. But I can help you avoid potential problems based on guiding clients for over a decade. Hopefully, this effort will help others from finding out the hard way that copyright is alive and well online.

1) “I can right click, save anything online and use it how I wish.”

This is a perfect example of just because you can doesn’t mean you do! Those graphics or files were created by someone out there. They legally attained the copyright upon that file’s creation. Without their specific permission to use that file or graphic, you have no right to just take it and use it as you please. Always ask a site owner before you illegally swipe anything off their site.

2) “As long as I note the author’s name, I can use their site’s content on my site.”

Although you are being nice and giving credit where credit is due, you still need to ask the author’s permission to post their work on your site. The author may not want their information posted anywhere off their own site or they many not approve of your site as a venue for their information – that is their choice to make not yours. Always ask a site owner if you can use their content before you put it on your site.

3) “I can link to graphics on other sites so that they display on my site.”

O.K., maybe you didn’t actually download the graphic and put it on your server, but if you are displaying someone else’s work on your site without their permission the bottom line is still the same. And, you are using their server’s resources to display something on your site. Shame on you!

4) “I can display pages from other Web sites within frames on my site.”

Many site owners prohibit their site pages from being framed within another site because it gives the impression that the other site created the information. Many times folks innocently do this so they don’t have to send site visitors off their site for information they want to provide. Others do so to precisely give the impression it is content they created. A better option is to link to the information you like and create a new window to open when doing so to ensure your site is still available to your site visitors.

5) “If I only quote a portion of other site’s content and link to them I do not need their permission.”

Again, it would behoove you to have permission to do so. Using only portions allows you to possibly give the wrong impression about the author’s overall content and this can be misleading at best. If you want to quote any written work in whole or part you need to ask permission to do so.

6) “If I pay someone to create graphics for my Web site, I own the copyright to those graphics.”

Not necessarily. Unless your agreement with the graphic artist explicitly states that upon your payment all of their rights are then transferred to you, you most likely only have exclusive license to use those graphics. And to purchase the full copyright will cost you a bunch more than simple exclusivity!

Understand that the moment anything is created whether it be written or drawn, the creator owns the copyright – that’s the law. Over the years I’ve had clients claim they own copyright just because they paid me to create this or that. It simply, legally, is not the case (and my contract(s) clearly state this – including their option to purchase my copyright if they so choose).

Copyright can only be transferred in a written legally binding agreement signed by the creator of the work stating they are transferring their rights to you. Saying you own it because you paid for it doesn’t make it legal fact. If you do not have a written agreement specifically transferring the copyright to you, you do not own the copyright to those graphics.

7) “E-mail is not copyright protected once it is sent.”

E-mail is a written work that once created is copyright protected by the author. This means you cannot post publicly an e-mail sent to you privately. You cannot post private e-mails to your site, to message boards or to your blog without the author’s specific permission to do so.

Just because an e-mail was sent to you as a private communication does not mean you then own it and can do with it what you like. In addition, e-mail that is posted to a group of people, on a mailing list or Newsgroup does not make the e-mail available for reposting, copying, or any other use – not without the express and written consent of the writer.

What’s the bottom line with online copyright?

Courtesy! Don’t assume that you can use, repost or take anything you find online simply because you can. Be a courteous Netizen and always ask first!

You might be interested to find a DMCA (Digital Millennium Copyright Act) page and policy statement on your ISP and hosting provider’s Web sites to handle complaints and reports of the above types of copyright abuse. Take some time to read that information and make yourself aware of your rights and make sure you do not infringe on others. The main resource for all the legal mumbo jumbo on online copyright and the DMCA is on the Governments site @ http://www.copyright.gov.

Again, I am not an attorney nor am I providing legal advice. I hope I’ve informed you of some of the issues that need to be seriously considered by all who are online whether they are creating their own or using others creative or written works.

About the Author:

Judith Kallos is an authoritative and good-humored Technology Muse.

Check out her new book: “Because Netiquette Matters! Your

Comprehensive Reference Guide to E-mail Etiquette and Proper

Technology Use” @: http://www.BecauseNetiquetteMatters.com

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/

Although I am the furthest thing from being vegan, I like the Chicken Soup series and just wish I had thought of that. Anyway, here is the blog of the day. Enjoy.
Chicken Soup for the Vegan Soul Fan Blog

Amanpreet came home drunk as a skunk for the third night in a
row. Judi, his wife, dragged him to the window and pointed out
to the blazing lights of the big distillery in the distance.

“Do you see how big it is?” she thundered. “They can always
make it faster than you can drink it!”

“Maybe so, [hic],” he burped, “but I’ve got ‘em working nights!”

reindeer
elves
stocking
chimney

Excercise, Write a non-christmas related poem or short story using these words.

A Message From Bro. Wright
Sermon Title: You Can Get There From Here
Scripture: Col 1:19-23
Main idea of Sermon
We all have to go to heaven the same way. Lev. 10:1&2

Illustration I want to remember
GPS(Global Positioning System) Devil has reprogrammed GPS

Other Scriptures to read
2 Pet 2:1, Rom. 16:18, Jude 3, 2 Cor 2:11, 2 Tim, 2:26, Psalm 19:13&14, John 14:6, Matt 7:13 & 14, Acts 18:8, Acts 8:12, Jer 10:23, Ecc 7:29, Deut 12:32, Lev. 10:1-2

Other doctrinal issues discussed
why babies can’t be baptized scripturally

How does this lesson help me?
I need to make sure that I am following the right GPS system.

I know I am supposed to be adding content to my site at http://www.pnewsletter.com, but I keep finding interesting articles that don’t fit there and I simply have to share them with you somehow, so I post them in the appropriate blog. This one was so timely, that I had to post it. Enjoy and of course feel free to comment.

What is the Deal with People Offended by Christmas?

By Jan A. Larson

Well, it is that time of year again – the time when the minds of
many Americans turn to thoughts of gift giving and expressions
of goodwill toward men. It is also the time when some
individuals blow a gasket about the very idea that an entire
nation would celebrate a holiday that is based on a religion other
than theirs.

On the surface, it is astonishing that anyone would be truly
offended by anything that is so utterly inoffensive.

First of all, there is absolutely nothing that is offensive about the
common practices that surround Christmas – giving gifts,
spending time with family and friends, food, parties and the
expressions of goodwill that go along with the season. If you set
aside the religious origins of Christmas, I can’t imagine anyone
that wouldn’t like it, never mind being offended by it.

Second, if you do consider the religious nature of Christmas, I
just can’t see how it could be that devastating to non-Christians
to witness, if not actually participate in, this celebration. Surely
one can see the joy that the Christmas season brings to so many,
especially children. That offends you? Personally, I take no
offense toward anyone celebrating Hanukkah or Ramadan or
even toward those that choose to celebrate nothing. The beauty
of America is that each is free to celebrate or not celebrate their
religion and religious holidays as they wish.

Third, and most importantly, it seems that most of those
“offended” by the practices of the Christmas holidays are those
that are either scared out of their wits that somehow they are
going to be forced by the government to celebrate against their
wishes or be indoctrinated like drones into a belief system with
which they disagree or they are actively seeking to remove all
vestiges of religion from American society. That group, of
course, is not offended so much as they use offense as an excuse
to drive their agenda.

This first group is simply ignorant. The First Amendment
specifically states that the government “… shall make no law
respecting the establishment of religion …” There has never
been any attempt by the federal government to establish religion
in this country. It is a long stretch indeed to classify the
discussion of the Christmas holiday in particular or Christianity
in general in a historical context in the public schools to an
establishment of religion. Similarly with public displays of
Christmas symbols or someone saying “Merry Christmas” as
you enter a department store. There is simply nothing being
established.

What is often overlooked when discussing the “separation of
church and state” is the part of the First Amendment that states,
” … or prohibiting the free exercise thereof.”

The second group mentioned above, those that wish to eradicate
religion altogether from American society, have successfully
intimidated public officials, school administrators and even
private employers using the “offense” defense into the
squelching the celebration of Christmas. Threats of letters,
phone calls and lawsuits have put many on the defensive – afraid
that school children singing a Christmas carol or an employee
putting a wreath in her cubicle constitutes an unlawful
establishment of religion.

John W. Whitehead of the Rutherford Institute [1] has published
“The Twelve Rules of Christmas” [2] which clarify the common
Christmas practices that pass constitutional muster. Clearly
those in the public school system, government officials, many
private employers and just about everyone else would be well
served to study these rules.

Americans are free to exercise their religion and that includes the
celebration of Christmas. To those that are offended by
Christmas, there are some options: 1. Lighten up and enjoy the
season with your fellow Americans, having confidence that it
won’t rub off on you if you don’t want it to. 2. Stay home and
hide under the bed until it is all over. 3. Move to a country
where no one is free to celebrate Christmas. I’m sure you won’t
be offended there.

[1] http://www.rutherford.org
[2]

http://www.rutherford.org/articles_db/commentary.asp?record_i

d=312

—–
Jan A. Larson publishes a weekly commentary, “What is the
Deal?” at the Pie of Knowledge
(http://www.pieofknowledge.com). His work also appears from
time to time on NewsBull (http://www.newsbull.com),
OpinionEditorials (http://www.opinioneditorials.com), the
Washington Dispatch (http://www.washingtondispatch.com) and
American Daily (http://www.americandaily.com).

Discover the Writer Hiding Inside You
By Elizabeth Hall

Has the thought run across you mind that you might want to write a column or two? Maybe you thought about writing your own material for your company newsletter. Maybe someone asked you to share your expertise with others by writing a how-to paper. Then the voice of fear spoke up and you decide maybe not this time. “I’m not ready to make that step. I could never write something meaningful. I’m no writer.” You say. Well you are dead wrong if you think that way. There is a writer in everyone.

Here are a few tips to get started on the road to writing.

1. Keep a creative idea journal – You don’t have to run out and get a beautiful looking notebook that is supposed to be use just for journalizing. Get yourself an inexpensive spiral binder, open it up and start writing down your thoughts.

2. Pick up a pencil and write – The next step to finding the writer in you is to pick up your utensil of choice and start writing. Keep your note pad with you at all times. Jot down what you are think about at that moment. Great minds do their best brainstorming this way. Don’t trust yourself to remember everything. You can always go back to your journal and refine your thoughts later.

3. Save good ideas – Don’t know what to do with those ideas? Don’t worry, it will come to you. Once you write them down, you can consider them saved. Those will be your rainy day ideas. You can go back to them later. When ever I am putting together my newsletter I always go back to my rainy day ideas. It works every time.

4. Read, Read, Read – Your best ideas will come from other authors. No, I’m not telling you to copy what you read, I ‘m telling you to do your research. Once you are knowledgeable on your subject, it will be very easy for your pen to flow.

Don’t sell yourself short. There is a writer deep down inside of you. You will find him or her if you just start writing.

Elizabeth Hall, owner of Smart Office Help, Inc., offers ways for your business to save valuable time and money, by providing administrative and bookkeeping services to busy business owners. Contact Elizabeth Hall at 407-884-7755 for your personalized consultation. Sign up for your FRE*E Business Success Newsletter on our website http://www.SmartofficeHelp.com .
Elizabeth Hall, owner of Smart Office Help, Inc., offers ways for your business to save valuable time and money, by providing administrative and bookkeeping services to busy business owners. Contact Elizabeth Hall at 407-884-7755 for your personalized consultation. Sign up for your FRE*E Business Success Newsletter on our website http://www.Smartofficehelp.com or send a blank email to PaperClip@getreponse.com

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/

Here is today’s blog of the day

http://iammarcmason.blogspot.com/

Enjoy.