Dear Compilation Authors

[StormFX]

Please read any included text files and/or license files included with add-ons that you include in your compilations before you include them. Some have restrictions on inclusion/redistribution.

Edit: This is not an attempt to be an ass, but there's a LOT of compilations that are including add-ons, etc, that aren't supposed to be.

[rcdyer1984]

This is only a suggestion, but I hope you consider it.

Make an actual statement on your download page that you do not want your plugins to be redistributed without your permission.

Generally if I see a text document named "readme" inside of a zip folder, I am going to assume it is instructions or something along those lines.

If you don't want to include a statement on your download pages (for some odd reason) then at least name your text file something that is a bit less obscure.

I dunno, "Redistribution Policy" or something...

On a side note, I am failing to see the issue with having Ui designers use your plugins in their uploads, especially if they list their addon credits or post a picture like they are required to do anyway. I would imagine you would want as much exposure to your work as possible.

Anyway, your skins are very nice, keep up the great design work.

<3
Ish

[StormFX]

Make an actual statement on your download page that you do not want your plugins to be redistributed without your permission.

I might just do that.

Generally if I see a text document named "readme" inside of a zip folder, I am going to assume it is instructions or something along those lines.

So the text "ReadMe" isn't a hint? Don't assume!

On a side note, I am failing to see the issue with having Ui designers use your plugins in their uploads, especially if they list their addon credits or post a picture like they are required to do anyway. I would imagine you would want as much exposure to your work as possible.

Because I stated specifically that they're not to be included without permission. That's enough reason, IMO. Like I said, I'm not trying to be an ass, but the least people could do is ask permission first. That's all.

Anyway, your skins are very nice, keep up the great design work.

Thanks.

[Cralor]

I respect your views, but can I ask why? I'd like to know your reasoning behind this.

[StormFX]

Originally Posted by Cralor I respect your views, but can I ask why? I'd like to know your reasoning behind this.

Because. Honestly, I don't even like the whole compilation thing. It's really easy to get out-of-date files and then the users come and ***** at the add-on authors. Besides, I like to know who's including my stuff in with theirs.

[Cralor]

There is 2 sides to a "compilation" there are those that just post a bunch of addons they like (which I have not seen very lately) and then there is ones that have there own art, designs, etc. These are the "true" compilations and what they are meant for.

This is going to take a lot of work. Explicitly tell your users to get permission from you first. (Or do you not want it in ANY compilations whatsoever?)

P.S.: I'd like to ask permission now while I update all the "Deuce" compilations. (Actually, I currently can't use ButtonFacade because the art is still using cycircled and I don't know how to port it over. Do you think you could help?)

[rcdyer1984]

I might just do that.

I hope you do.

So the text "ReadMe" isn't a hint? Don't assume!

In all honesty, no it isn't. It is obviously of great importance to you that people ask permission before they incorporate your skins into a compilation they upload. While this is completely understandable, if it is of such great importance, one would imagine that you would have made the knowledge a bit more noticable. I think we can both agree that when installing add-ons, nobody generally reads the readme texts unless they are having technical difficulties.
I hardly think you could argue that. So, if you would demand of every single person who used a skin of yours to ask permission before uploading their ui for others to be inspired by, then may I ask, what difference does it make? Are you ever going to tell someone no? I hardly doubt it. And if that were the case, what is the difference between you telling everyone yes and them just giving you credit for the work in their upload? I really don't see your logic in this.

Because I stated specifically that they're not to be included without permission. That's enough reason, IMO. Like I said, I'm not trying to be an ass, but the least people could do is ask permission first. That's all.

It doesn't matter if you are trying or not, you are coming across as an ass either way. But I would imagine it is easily remedied by you simply stating on each download page that you would like people to send you a personal message asking if they can use each of your skins in their compilations. And btw, I would also imagine that its generally accepted here that giving credit where credit is due suffices rather than bothering the mod author about being able to use his/her addon. Its pretty much expected that everyone is nice enough here to allow free sharing of their work so as to easily inspire others.

Thanks.

Your welcome, sadly your attitude on the matter has discouraged me from continuing to use your skins in any of my previous or future compilations. Therefor I will now need to create my own which I will allow others to use freely.

Best of luck to you in resolving this matter how ever you see fit.

-Ish

[StormFX]

So it there a good tutorial on how to port over? I've read the wiki (I believe), but I am not experienced enough in art to know what to do in the changes of the art part. Do you have any advice? :P

I've been meaning to write up a tutorial on TGA files, etc, and how to do the individual layers so they work right with BF, but I've been busy. What are you trying to port to BF?

In all honesty, no it isn't.

Well, you're entitled to your opinion.

I think we can both agree that when installing add-ons, nobody generally reads the readme texts unless they are having technical difficulties.

Before I even open up any file in any add-on directory, I check the license and read-me files. /shrug

So, if you would demand of every single person who used a skin of yours to ask permission before uploading their ui for others to be inspired by, then may I ask, what difference does it make? Are you ever going to tell someone no? I hardly doubt it. And if that were the case, what is the difference between you telling everyone yes and them just giving you credit for the work in their upload? I really don't see your logic in this.

Who says there has to be logic? If it's of my creation, it's my right to do as I want with it. I upload to WoWInterface for people to download directly, not for others to redistribute it.

But I would imagine it is easily remedied by you simply stating on each download page that you would like people to send you a personal message asking if they can use each of your skins in their compilations.

We've discussed this.

And btw, I would also imagine that its generally accepted here that giving credit where credit is due suffices rather than bothering the mod author about being able to use his/her addon. Its pretty much expected that everyone is nice enough here to allow free sharing of their work so as to easily inspire others.

I'm sorry, not everyone subscribes to the whole "Copy-Left", "If it's on the Internet it's everyone's" philosophy. And there's a difference between using it and redistributing it.

Additionally, not every compilation author credits the author of every single add-on that's included in their compilation. As far as the average user knows, the compilation author is the author of the entire package. Going back to who reads what, do you really think the users read all of the credits even if they're complete?

And then there's stats. How am I supposed to track the stats of my add-ons when some of the traffic is pulled away by those who prefer compilations?

Your welcome, sadly your attitude on the matter has discouraged me from continuing to use your skins in any of my previous or future compilations.

Well, that's too bad. I was looking forward to my first "No." /teasing

But seriously, I'm sorry if my attitude bothers you. Perhaps in the future I'll think twice about offering my work to others to use for free.

[rcdyer1984]

Who says there has to be logic? If it's of my creation, it's my right to do as I want with it. I upload to WoWInterface for people to download directly, not for others to redistribute it.

And last time I checked, people don't usually put other people's names on something that is "their creation." For example, copying Caith's design for a skin and calling it your own. I hope you checked her zip for a readme file.

I'm sorry, not everyone subscribes to the whole "Copy-Left", "If it's on the Internet it's everyone's" philosophy. And there's a difference between using it and redistributing it.

I didn't say anything that remotely resembled your above statement. I only said you're being illogical, which you already confessed to so I guess /end point.

Additionally, not every compilation author credits the author of every single add-on that's included in their compilation. As far as the average user knows, the compilation author is the author of the entire package. Going back to who reads what, do you really think the users read all of the credits even if they're complete?

Its WowInterface rules that every single compilation must list every addon or provide a screenshot of all addons used in the compilation. A simple google search could tell you the author of any particular addon. Also by WowInterface rules, only Interfaces found under the SUITES category are made up of addons that have been solely created by the uploader. So if a person finds a compilation under any other category its pretty much common sense that they didn't write all the addons. But since we threw logic out the window a while back, why not common sense too eh?

And then there's stats. How am I supposed to track the stats of my add-ons when some of the traffic is pulled away by those who prefer compilations?

So make a compilation. But don't forget to ask yourself for permission before you upload it.

But seriously, I'm sorry if my attitude bothers you. Perhaps in the future I'll think twice about offering my work to others to use for free.

Your attitude has no effect on me personally at all. It just saddens me that this website has good mod designers that are more concerned with how many downloads they get rather than how many people their work can inspire.
By no means am I saying remove your work, however I doubt you would because you like seeing the download number go up, I am saying however that you should let loose a bit on the redistribution thing. This is Ui design for fun...for a game, its not like anyone is doing any of this to make money.

Anyway, as I said before, you do good work, keep it up.

-Ish

[Cralor]

Originally Posted by StormFX I've been meaning to write up a tutorial on TGA files, etc, and how to do the individual layers so they work right with BF, but I've been busy. What are you trying to port to BF?

CyCircled_Deuce