No, I Do Not Hijack Blogs
It has come to my attention and from a post located at How to Survive A Blog Hijacking!, that some people have mistaken me for the owner of a blog that’s stealing content or is a blog hijacker.
I am the designer of the WordPress Theme called Translucent Fluidity . This theme has been my most popular to date and has been downloaded as a template and a WordPress theme by thousands of users. I have no control over what kind of sites are using my theme once it’s in the public domain. The fact that the designer link is left in the footer of the theme doesn’t mean I own the domain of the offending blog. Believe me, there are worse sites using my themes and templates, and it can be disturbing sometimes to find out someone’s opened up a porn site, for example.
I hope I’ve clarified things. Perhaps I should put up a disclaimer on my themes and templates so that it’s clear it’s a free template and I’m not responsible for how the template or theme is used. Your comments and suggestions are welcome.
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December 29th, 2007 at 8:29 pm
“Perhaps I should put up a disclaimer on my themes and templates so that it’s clear it’s a free template and I’m not responsible for how the template or theme is used.”
I think that would be wise to avoid future confusion.
December 29th, 2007 at 9:17 pm
thanks for your comment, Tony.
this happened a while back, apparently, but I’m sure it can easily happen again so I’m on it.
I know that I’m not the only Open Source contributor that’s gone through this. There’s always someone trying to ruin a good thing, unfortunately. Good thing there’s way more great stuff online than bad. It’s what keeps me going.
Have a great evening
December 30th, 2007 at 5:46 am
I doubt that many people would publish a free template including disclaimer. An additional disclaimer will most likely lead to deleting disclaimer AND link to the designer of the template. Actually I wouldn’t worry too much. Most people will know that design means design and not content. One can’t prevent every misunderstanding. Happy New Year
December 30th, 2007 at 12:02 pm
Greetings,
This is but my feelings concerning the flip side of the creative coin. Once a creative work has been given access to the world at large, it becomes a living entity all its own. It no longer lives in us as we have given it wings and freedom.
The choice to free it opens the door to many pitfalls but also many glories. Likened as to an ‘coming of age’ child on its new journey of life… it will pass through many diverse turns.
We relinquished any control over its path, and in such we are not responsible for its failures or glories.
We did our part, we dreamed it to life and set it free.
Our best has been given to it.
I for myself, never put strings on my free (public) work, as I do not desire to be a part of anything mis-appropiated by my works usage.
Free is free. Done is done. In time, my work is recognised by people and the ‘link back’ string is not needed for my credit. I own what I made, and that is all I need to have, That is me tho.
A form of advertising is seen in link backs, I just find them more of a problem than a resource.
If link back is an option you have in place, than the criteria must be set as to its usage and formally stated. There are codes and symbol detection methods that can be placed within your template and allows you to check up on how it is used once on the web. For me that is an emense babysitting job but some do it.
If it is not being used as to your qualifications then you retain the right to have it pulled from the offending party.
That opens up the web-police task…lol.
Making yourself and your work a protected entity, I suggest free as just that, no links to mess with you. Or code it for tracking. As far as being mis-judged by others mis-use of your material, it is a ‘kick-back’ string.
No string, no undeserved punishment.
Your work is wonderful and please continue developing your personal styles.
They will stand out in any crowd.
Allow people to be just people, they are gonna be anyway.
Bravo to you, I shall be back to see more of your work in the future.
Blessings,
Jann
December 30th, 2007 at 3:36 pm
Thank you Esther and Jann for your great comments.
Actually, I have thought about the reality and true nature of Open Source. Once a works is released,I can not control how it’s used, nor do I want to.
I will admit that the linkbacks have helped me and this site tremendously. To say otherwise, would be a lie. So sometimes, viral advertising comes with a price.
I think as long as my visitors know that I do not condone such sites that may use my free themes and templates, I cannot spend my time policing the Internet to see who’s using them and how they are being used.