Aqua-Soft ForumsAlright, some things need to be addressed about the sig contest debacle.
Wow, I read the thread there and that moderator Godpunk is rather clueless. Maybe they're young kids or something? -southwind
Clueless? Hardly. Young Kid? I'm nearly 21.
Yeah, notice how quickly he closed that thread once David remarked about it being his. -61dynamic
Let me explain the closure of the thread.
The thread was closed because of one simple reason- during the last few days, I have been at R.A. (Resident Assistant) training at my college. This training started Saturday night and did not end until this (Thursday) afternoon. All the days in between were 14 hour days for me, 8am to 10pm. In other words, I was very very busy, and rather than letting the thread/debate get out of control in my absense, I closed the thread. I am hardly some kind of heartless bastard that won't hear someone's claims out. If I sound like one, it is because 1) I was extremely tired when I posted/closed the thread. I get pissy when I am tired, and for that I apologize. 2) I was not about to strike down my own decision without first having the time to fully investigate each side's claims.
Needless to say, with my recent time constraints, I have had no time to properly investigate the claims made by x-horizon; it's as simple as that. I do have a life outside of this forum, and for the last five days, it required every single second, literally.
This signature contest was started as something fun to do, a way for our members to show off their skills in Photoshop, as well as make something humorous/clever/impressive. However, as with all things, there is a way for deception to creep in. I want to quote myself from another thread, in which I specifically address the issue of ripping graphics:
It is interesting to note that most (95% or so) of the rips we've encountered are in the field of graphic design. This is interesting in and of itself, since the graphic design community is actually pretty lenient- all most graphic designers ask for in return for using their work is credit, a simple listing of their name (and site address, if applicable) in a 'Read Me' file. Graphic designers enjoy having their work exposed to a wider audience (at least I know I do!), and lending your work to other artists is a great way to accomplish that. That's why artists ask for so little in return- unfortunately, we have those who are too lazy to type up an email asking permission to use the work.I suspect that graphics are the prime prey of rippers for one reason: they are easy to manipulate and pass off as your own. Face it, no one steal's another person's app (like iSongs) and says they wrote it. Why? Because more apps have a higher profile; more people are going to hear of an app called iSongs than an icon set called "Kazaa Replacement Icons". Graphics are a less conspicuous comodity.
As a graphic artist, all I can do is ask politely that those wishing to use graphics that someone else has spent time creating set aside 5 minutes to write that person an email. Hell, I'll even type the basic text so that all you have to do is copy, paste, and fill in the blanks!
Hi (insert artist's name here)!
I came across your (insert name of graphic(s), icon set, wallpaper, etc. here), and I wanted to tell you that you did a great job! I am also a graphic artist, and right now, I am in the middle of making (insert nature of your project here), and your graphics would really help me make my project better. I am writing to ask permission to use your graphics for my project. Let me know what you think, and thanks for your time. Keep up the great work!
Now that would make an artist's day. Please be considerate, and don't rip.
Obviously I have given this issue thought before, and it is not an issue I take lightly. As a graphics artist myself, I know what it is like to be ripped, and I completely understand x-horizon's position on the issue.
Unfortunately, R3lic was being deceptive, as no mention of another author/credits/permissions were listed or named. It happens a lot here. As I said in my previous post, graphics are easy to steal, and sometimes it takes a while to realize it.
With that said, R3lic's entry is disqualified. Now I must decide whether or not I will pick new winners, or disqualify all the entries.
Also, I don't appreciate some of the comments being made about me:
what moronic moderator ("godpunk" on the thread with the rip! Even when it is pointed out that the 1st place is illegal/copyrighted material/whatever he doesn't seem to get the point, and still thinks it deserves to win... A moderator that accepts people winning the contests with ripped material shouldn't be a mod... -chain
First off, you don't know my circumstances and reasoning for doing what I do, much less know me as a person. Please don't spout off sh## about me when you only know half of the story. I certainly don't think I am a moron; if I am 'moronic' for closing a thread until I could effectively deal with the situation, then so be it.
I'm sorry this issue came to this, and I ask members of both forums, and especially x-horizon, to accept my apologies. However, I also ask that if a similar situation arises in the future, to please maintain your composure and find out all the facts before resorting to name-calling and slander. Thank you all.
-godpunk
