>On 30 Jun 98, Julian So wrote:
>
>> The article recommended that beginning Webmasters should "look for pages
>> you like on the Web, save them into your page-making program, then cut out
>> the content on the pages and put yours in. Don't forget to change the
>> addresses behind the links."
>
>This appalling advice was credited to Kevin Maney, who as it turns out is
>a "money
>& technology" columnist for -- surprise -- USA Today. You can see his
>smiling mug
>at http://www.usatoday.com/news/comment/colmane.htm, where you will also
>(hee hee) find his e-mail address.
>
(and Mr. Eades cleverly added :)
>I got to pondering what a longer article about intellectual property and
>the creative
>process might have sounded like had M. Maney penned one; here's my take.
>
>* * *
>
>JUST FILL IN THE BLANKS: Being Creative is Easier Than You Think
>
> -- by Kevin Maney, USA Today
>
>Many people believe that creative stuff -- music, writing, painting and so
>on -- is
>the exclusive domain of pointy-headed "artists" who have to study hard at
>their
>chosen fields, and also have to be born with some talent to boot. But as
>today's
>column will show, anyone can be creative and earn big profits too, by
>following a
>few simple pointers.
Brent, I enjoyed your version :>) You ought to send it to Mr. Maney. I
agree with the general tone of your argument, and think that Maney made it
sound a bit too easier and missed the point of intellectual property.
>The main thing to remember is that *all* artists borrow creative ideas
>from others,
>and you should be no exception.
In fact that is a true statement.
As usual, issues are not always black & white. <G> Take for example, that
esteemed composer, J.S. Back (no kids, he's not in the Top 40 right now).
In his day, it was considered honoring another composer to take their
melodic themes and incorporate them into your own work, while of course
adding your own embellishment and inventive phrasing.
In a way this is similar to what you might do if you saw a Web design you
liked and used that as the basis for your own online creation. (I am not
implying you have done this). But as you can see, it is a matter of degree.
Ultimately there is nothing new under the sun.
Now before some of you get all tweaked about this, just relax and consider
the nuances of the issue. And let me emphasize that I would object if
someone copied a web page design exactly and just inserted their own text
and title into it. But just how much do you have to change it before it is
no longer offensive theft?
The world is composed of shades of gray...
Barry <mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
Web Design & Development - Online Marketing <http://www.ToTheWeb.com>
In a world without walls or fences, what use do we have for windows or gates?
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