Why are our screenshot getting removed?

Distributing illegal ports is distributing illegal copyrighted material.

Yeh but those themes arent copywritten. They're mac themes, its not a life or death situation if they are ripped.

As stated above by who I dont really recall, you and timan have your differences on the rules of this site, but they are still the rules of this forum. You dont go out and break the law because you think that the laws are unfair do you? And to clairify what is a rip and what isnt, in the past you have had a problem with this. Take mpampoulas for instance, you cant remove a shot for being inspired by a theme, you have to admit thats a low blow. Or take my newest screen I posted of cathode, are you gonna call that a Rip and remove it?

I think that you shouldn't be so quick to call things a rip, perhaps instead of jumping the gun you could just ask them privately before removing the shot? For all you know that person could have gotten the resources and put the theme together by himself, Sure you cant do that with AquaSE, even though the Bevels are default Aqua.. But themes like Niqu and Eternal which you had mentioned can easily be because they where released before hand.

I admit there have been some terrible rips of themes like Niqu and Eternal, but they are a bad example because in the end look at them, released? Yeh..

I understand that if someone wants their content removed you should. That is fair, but stefanka never messeged you about the AquaSE stuff, so why did you remove it? Im just taking my best guess that he didn't otherwise you would have already said that in the first place. If you did, then disreguard my last few sentences.

Maybe you wouldn't have so many people wanting you to leave if you just simply lightened up a bit? This is the internet, why are you getting stressed over themes and people on a message board? And dont say that its tough being a moderator here, you chose to moderate the way you do, so your really to blame for that.

I said I was done with the thread, but I had to add in what I think about this screenshot bs, plus I needed to respond to your post...

Just for clearification, Cathode isnt a rip

#371194

If i created it i can copyright it and all themes i've seen have the readme file that says it.

The difference between being "inspired" and a rip is obvious. Besides you people should learn to read. Cathode = released, AquaSE = WIP. You figure out the rest from my numerous posts on this subject, ok?

And i wonder why a number of people who are compaining the most have 0 (zero) original creations of their own? As i said, everyone with few hours of free time can create a port, creating something from grounds up takes much more time. I'm not saying porters like you and dyuvan do bad job. As a matter of fact you create some of the best ports i've seen on windows. But when you create something original, when you realise how much effort and concentration goes into one single image, every single detail, then we can speak about respect and copyright.

As for being stressed, it's you and people like you who are freaking out and whining about their "pwetty" screenshots being removed. I quietly remove them not wanting to cause ruckus, 5 mins later a "0H n03Z my Tops waz removed!" thread pops up (this one is different cause dyuvan had a valid question and presented in a respecting way but kiddies decided it's a perfect and public place where they can take a swing at me thinking they will have immunity). You people should lighten up and put community in front of your own big egos. The fact that you're risking a permission for theme port by pissing off themers and putting your own screenshot in front of the well-being of the whole community just tells a lot of your personality (this is not directed at you, i'm talking in general). Matter of fact is, if i can secure the permission so everyone can use a theme by removing a ss of a ripped WIP theme, i will do it wihout a second thought.

And don't tell me what being a mod requires and please don't preach me on how i should do stuff. When you spend as much time as i did at this place, when you do as much as i did for this community (from newsposting to helping Tim to spending hours moving, tagging and yes, deleting threads and posts) and when you eat as much **** as i had to, when you realise how many things happen behind the scenes, THEN i will respect your opinion on my moding. 'Till then, please do not do that.

Now can we put this matter to rest, please? I'm really sick of having to go through this every month of two with always different (and mostly new) people.

#371198

"Unbe just loves the inline moderation integration vBulletin 3.5 has." vB sales guy...

#371202

Okay guys we really need to calm down and realize that this is just an online thing, nothing big. Let's all go outside and get lives, how about it guys!?

#371203

@Paralex: Theres life OUTside the computer!?

#371206

If i created it i can copyright it and all themes i've seen have the readme file

And i wonder why a number of people who are compaining the most have 0 (zero) original creations of their own? As i said, everyone with few hours of free time can create a port, creating something from grounds up takes much more time. When you create something original, when you realise how much effort and concentration goes into one single image, then we can speak about respect and copyright.

Ok, then why dont you sit down and port a theme? You make it seem like its a few clicks and BAM! a ported theme gets released, well your sadly mistaken. I hope I dont see you requesting themes ported, since you find them so easy to do.

As for being stressed, it's you and people like you who are freaking out and whining about their "pwetty" screenshots being removed. I quietly remove them not wanting to cause ruckus, 5 mins later a "0H n03Z my Tops waz removed!" thread pops up (this one is different cause dyuvan had a valid question but kiddies decided it's a perfect and public place where they can take a swing at me thinking they will have immunity)

Really? Well I wonder why people got angry? You removed a screenshot simply because it was inspired. You Didnt even take the time to look at it and or contact the author to ask if it was a rip, of course their will be a ruckus. Yeh, people tend to get mad if their are no explainations to why things disappear..

You people should lighten up and put community in front of your own big egos. The fact that you're risking a permission for theme port by pissing off themers and putting your own screenshot in front of the well-being of the whole community just tells a lot of your personality (this is not directed at you, i'm talking in general)

And don't tell me what being a mod requires and please don't preach me on how i do stuff. When you spend as much time as i did at this place, when you eat as much **** as i had to, and when you realise how many things behind the scenes, THEN i will respect your opinion on my moding. 'Till then, please do not do that.

Yeh, I have done moderation before. I still do, I've been in clans where I run the forum, its not fun but I NEVER use the powers unfairly - nor do I bend the rules at all. Just for clearification, Ive been running that particular forum for 2 years.

Yes, lets put it to rest, I really dont feel like going on, im stubborn i know.

#371209

Next person who posts will be banned for making Unbe stay up late. It's 3:50 AM in the morning there, and you're questioning his devotion to the forums?

-NC

#371221

Yes you can, but unfortunatlly I have yet to come accross a theme that has copywritten laws on it.

Oh really? Then how about this?

Ultraman's site: Copyright © 2005 Stéphane Dely

Bzeitler's site: Copyright 2005 Pixelnet Design. I All Rights Reserved

DSKY: Copyright© 2001-2006 Daisuke Yama****a All rights reserved.

Max Rudberg's site: Copyright © Max Rudberg 2002 - 2005

Susumu's site: Copyright © 2005-2006 McDo DESIGN

What is that? Wow! It's a copyright notice!

Ok, then why dont you sit down and port a theme? You make it seem like its a few clicks and BAM! a ported theme gets released, well your sadly mistaken. I hope I dont see you requesting themes ported, since you find them so easy to do.

Actually i port themes i like when i have enough free time and yes, i even released a mod of DSKY's Shinobi theme. It's a simple mod but i did it long time ago and yes, i first contacted DSKY and only after i was given permission i released it and posted screenshots. I never said making good ports was easy. What i'm trying to say taht porting a theme is nothing like creating one.

Really? Well I wonder why people got angry? You removed a screenshot simply because it was inspired. You Didnt even take the time to look at it and or contact the author to ask if it was a rip, of course their will be a ruckus. Yeh, people tend to get mad if their are no explainations to why things disappear..

Would it satisfy you if i said that i removed Mmpoopulas screenshot a bit too hastily (sorry for most likey spellng it wrong)? Would my apology calm you down? If so, i'm sorry. Still you canot deny the fact that 90% his themes was a clone of AquaSE. Also why do you act like his lawyer in this matter? Can't he speak for himself?

We All need to lighten up, and mature for that matter, hey, you had Jon@s and Pe8er come in for the sole purpose of a morality boost. I went ape sh*t and said I wasnt going to release any themes anymore, it happens.

Again, low punches when nothing better is at hand? Why don't you PM Pe8er and see why he posted? Why don't you check things before making such silly "accusations"? Yes i spoke to Jon@as when i found out about this thread. Did i tell him to post? Give Jon@s more credit man. He's nobody's puppet i assure you that.

Yeh, I have done moderation before. I still do, I've been in clans where I run the forum, its not fun but I NEVER use the powers unfairly - nor do I bend the rules at all. Just for clearification, Ive been running that particular forum for 2 years.

Yes, lets put it to rest, I really dont feel like going on, im stubborn i know.

Well i'm sure your "clans" are fun places to be and i congrat you on your job well done but i'm still not sure you understand what i'm trying to say. This goes far beyond "me hating people" or whatever people are trying to tag me with. And yes, sometimes i'm stubborn too

EDIT: Does this mean i'm banned Tiger Uncle?

#371222

Copywritten sites, yes, but their themes dont have copywrites, the graphics maybe, but how are u gonna copywrite a theme thats used on a copywritten OS?

Sure mpampoulas (viewing the thread man, you didnt see his name? LOL) can speak for himself, but hes a perfect example.

I didnt say that they where your puppets, I should have reworded what I said about Pe8er and Jon@s differently, what I meant was, their posts really had nothing to do with the topic... well jon@s did, but.. ah, forget it.

Enough of this discussion! Im going to play css, i hear an AWP calling my name

@ NC, NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!

#371226

Ooh, Unbe's getting banned! He posted next, and never let it be said that I'm not a man of my word .

-NC

#371229

Well, if you can copyright a program that runs on a copywritten OS, why not copyright a theme?? It's intellectual property, same as a program is...

#371230

I think everyone is a little misunderstood on how copyrights work. Let's use the analogy

of Mac OS and Windows:

You cannot copyright an idea, but you can copyright a thing. For example why both of the

operating systems run a windowed interface but why apple's menubar is on the top and the

icons on the right, and windows's taskbar on the bottom with the icons on the left. You

can copyright how it looks or even the code that makes it work, but not HOW it works.

In regards to theming, if a user were going to publicly announce that they were to make a

set of icons featuring dogs looking a certain way; and someone else sees the idea of the

set and creates their own dog icon set, then the copyright for the way those icons look is

their's. (keep in mind that the original author merely announced the idea but did not

create them before hand. Which goes hand in hand with why I said that the artist is at

fault for this type of situation.)

As for already created themes, the way they work cannot be copyrighted, how they look

however can be.

WITH THIS IN MIND.

If someone were to port a theme that is already created, it automatically has a copyright

to the original author. So they cannot release it without the author's original

permission. However, in our situation, the argument here is that people are porting themes

for themselves and getting their screenshots removed.

If it is for personal use and not for monetary or reputational gain, then it is not a

violation of copyright laws.

With the resources themselves available to the public either via a certain format of a

theme or a preview image. They are open to the public for the end user to use them

personally however they see fit but being as it's a thing and it looks a certain way, they

cannot release it to the public. This also applies to any modification to an artists

original work.

In retrospect, you can create and sell someone a shovel with wings on it. The person that

buys it can add a stripe to it; but cannot market the shovel as their own creation. If you

merely tell this person your idea of creating a shovel with wings on it, you better hope

they don't create it first.

#371256

I just came accross this thread and wanted to give my two cents. When I first came to Aqua-Soft I knew nothing about graphic design but thought this was a really cool place to learn how to make my pc look like a mac. There were lots of nice people who liked to share things with others. The screenshot thread was a great place to go and get ideas. It wasnt much of a place for "modded themes" but more a place to get share ideas of how to better emulate things. Many great programs, widgets and "hacks" where shown in the SS thread. All of these things were shared amongst members to make our computers better. The SS thread used to be about konfabulator and avedesk and itunes skins and finder clones.

It seems that at some point there was a shift to a mentality of "look what I have and what you cant have" I am not sure how this happened but it is to bad that it did. I credit Aqua-Soft with starting my graphic design "career". When I first came here I thought there was no way I could ever even begin to do the work that the great artists of this community were capable of. But I met lots of nice people who shared lots of things and I wanted to give back so I started creating things of my own to share. It was this spirit of sharing with others that makes aqua-soft a great place to visit.

People shouldnt worry about their screenshots getting deleted or mod's abusing their "powers"

Bottom line is that if you treat others with respect and kindness in all aspects of your life then good things will happen. I think that the internet provides an opporunity for people to act like idiots without consequence. This whole topic kind of exhibits that mentality.

I dont want to get into the whole "Rip vs. not Rip" topic because that will never be settled. What is more important is that people are civil to eachother and realize that the bottom line is this is an internet forum... a place to share ideas and learn from others not make idle threats and pretend that you are a bigshot deciding all kinds of important matters. Just have fun and take things with a grain of salt. Try to help others and make the community better. It shouldnt be about "look at my unreleased theme" but more about "I got permission for this and would love to share this with the community, I hope you enjoy it"

In the end, i suppose that screenshots shouldnt just be deleted but perhpas the post left with a brief explanation as to why the post was removed to avoid confusion. but I certanily dont think people need to get mad about their screenshots... There are more improtant things! The mentality that "I will never release again because I am mad" goes against the foundation that makes aqua-soft great. Share and Share alike.

Sorry if this is a bit longwinded or nonsensical.. it is 2 am here ha!

Thanks to everyone who made aqua-soft great and helped me become a better designer

#371279

I think we've enough 2 cents now to make a whole dollar

#371294

I would just like to say 'well said' bzeitler.

#371298

bzeitler for president!

Good work bz! I wish that everyone could read and use that in here.

Thank you Bz!

#371336

I vote that we all switch back to Luna, Royale, or Classic and ONLY post screenshots of that. It would make everything a lot easier

#371363

You almost bring tears to my eyes bz

#371364

i agree with bz

#371369

Of course, there’s an easy solution to all of this…

Maybe we should encourage theme authors to release their works under whatever Creative Commons license they see fit?

#371388

I agree... bz has said it better than anyone. I also believe it's time to close this thread... this horse is as dead as it's gonna get...

#371399

I don't post much, but I do like to read threads and see what's up. When I do post, it must be semi-important or it's the one and only desktop screenshot for the month.

So after reading a few posts here and there, I have come to the conclusion that we all need to grow up. Who cares about silly screenshots. Just suck it up and move on. Maybe PM a mod and ask what happened and how to avoid it in the future. A-S is not the only place you can place screenshots, but it's the best place for Aqua emulating desktops.

Also there is a place for mac themers to make legal mods to distribute on MacThemes Forums. I do not see how Mac and Windows themes are the same. One has advanced permissions from the author and the latter does not.

Modifications & Hybrids

Release and request modifications and hybrids of your favorite themes here. Modders: Permission for releases in this forum has been given in advance by Max Rudberg, Kevin Husted, Joe Loy, Carbon, Xanthic, Androo, David Lanham, Patcarla, Louie Mantia, Harlan Lewis, Joe Kohlmann, Rick Patrick, Martin Ottoson, Susumu, Brian Zeitler, Takash Izawa, Chris McElligott and Dan Goffin, so feel free to go wild!

Give it a read at MacThemes

Threat? Was no threat, im not releasing anything. Not anymore. And quite frankly I dont give a rats ass wether you care or not, laugh away. rofl

Not to be mean or anything, but please don't act like you are the only one who can design. Plus, how does this help out the community?

You won't get a great moderator like Unbe, and frankly I don't think he'll leave... it takes a lot more for him to do that. And I'm not kissing anyone's ass because I've been warned too before. My full support to the staff because they've shown to do a pretty good job at well, administrating and moderating the forums. Quit the drama

Amen to that!

Of course, there’s an easy solution to all of this…

Maybe we should encourage theme authors to release their works under whatever Creative Commons license they see fit?

Very good idea so that people know it's truly copyrighted and there's no excuse for them to "rip" or whatever. However, I don't think people will follow it when they make themes that are "heavily-inspired" from another theme. It may or may not work, but if someone wants to rip or have major inspiration from a theme, they will do it with or without the CC agreement.

#371577

Mark, you have reading to catch up on, something you should have done before posting.

@ jef, why didnt you lock this?

#371583

Because he doesn't care enough? When it comes to community events, and local political interests, apathy isn't the greatest approach, but I find this apathetic method can work wonders if strategically applied to online occurrences.

-NC

#371590

Its a test, he wants you guys to learn how to let a thread die itself

#371593