Flag FOUL

[Jim Becker]

I have been waiting for Dennis to add a TEXAS flag to the list of choices. But NO, he adds a Missouri flag and ONLY a Missouri flag.

The owner of the flag image got mad at me, so I removed the link. First time I have had somebody unhappy about being linked.

[Rudi]

Jim:

Can't see your pic you linked to -- seems somebody doesn't like being linked.... all I can see is that red thingy with all the hoopla on it...

What is hot-linking? Why would it be illegal?

[Jim Becker]

A "hotlink" is a link to another web page that automaticly retrieves some "content" from another site. An acceptable link is a simple page reference that you click to reach another site and display their page. The objection is that the hotlink automaticly uses up some of their bandwidth without forcing you to look at whatever their entire page content is (including their pop-up ads). A hotlink isn't enherently bad, it comes down to a question of permission. Many people consider use of a hotlink without permission to be theft of bandwidth (reasonable position) and state that it is illegal. I don't know whether it is actually illegal or not as much of legality on the internet is still pretty ill-defined.

On this site, you typically create a hotlink by using the "Img" buttons above the text entry field. Some of the problems people have on this site trying to post imaages from the photo hosting sites relate to hotlink detection on the photo sites.

Here are examples of each:

Acceptable page reference:
http://www.cleancomputes.com/Cub/index.html

Evil hotlink:

[John *.?-!.* cub owner]

I have been waiting for Dennis to add a TEXAS flag to the list of choices. But NO, he adds a Missouri flag and ONLY a Missouri flag.

Sounds to me like the boy has his prioritys straight
How do I find his Mo. flag to add it to my profile.

[Jim Becker]

Update your profile. There is a field labeled "Country Flag:" and the MO flag is the last entry, below the country names.

[Rudi]

Jim:

thanks for explaining it to me. Now I sort of understand. I still do not understand however, why it would be considered illegal especially since there are very few laws yet in place in any jurisdiction on internet usage, aside from China and places like that. I agree so far with the porn laws and stuff, and I hope that the US and Canada can come up with some sort of law on spam, but on linking???? seems like the guy has a sliver somewhere that is bugging him.

I don't know about anybody else, but if I see a pic (hot-linked) I usually check out the site. If one pic or link is interesting, I check the site cause it may also be interesting. The guy really should get a life

Jeez, maybe somebody should tell him!!!!!

Oh, btw guys, hot link to the server all you like! That is exactly what it is there for - information dissemination

[Ralph]

There is no Kentucky flag so the old glory will work for me!

[Jim Becker]

I still do not understand however, why it would be considered illegal especially since there are very few laws yet in place in any jurisdiction on internet usage . . .

Rudi,
I pretty well agree with everything you said in the above post (including the part I didn't quote). (I tried to remain objective in my previous post.) A little searching of the web finds lots of sites that say it is illegal. It looks like virtually all of them have copied 2 or 3 different versions of the claim. Many of the sites with the claim spew out lots of pop-ups (surprise!). I have sent emails to 2 site owners that appeared to have written their own pages, asking if they could cite the regulation. I am looking forward to their responses.

One of the funnier ones is a site that claims to research violations of various internet related things. In their big index page that categorizes violations, there is no entry for bandwidth theft.

I ran across the terms of service for an ISP that is probably a better reflection of reality:

"Linking to another web site for content and/or graphics materials is considered "bandwidth theft." While bandwidth theft is not currently considered a federal, state, or local law, AtTWC.com does NOT allow such activity. "

People may not like it, but it appears to be legal.

[John *.?-!.* cub owner]

Update your profile. There is a field labeled "Country Flag:" and the MO flag is the last entry, below the country names.

Thanks Jim, I had looked in my profile but overlooked the contry flag field.

[Yo's Dad]

I checked out the country flag list and didn't see Miami. I just got back today from another wonderful week of work in Miami......they say "the nicest part about Miami is that it is so close to the United States".

I killed some time in one of the largest Miami Malls last night, it reminded me of the bar scene from 'Star Wars'. So good to be home for Thanksgiving.

[Jim Becker]

I checked out the country flag list and didn't see Miami.

Its right here.

[Dennis]

Wow, I try to add a little feature to the message board and all hell breaks out I received 3 of the nastiest emails from calfcreek.net I've ever seen in my life. I had visions of the jackbooted police breaking down my doors.

Ok, no harm no foul Jim. The guy is a jerk about his reaction to the "offense".

Just a couple of things to help explain:

1. I added a mod to the message board that allows for "country" flags to be added to your profile. Great huh?

2. I had an idea to see if I could modifiy the mod to work with state flags, since most of the visitors are from the "states". Of course, being the "modifier" I choose my state, Missouri. Surprise

3. Now, I guess I better add the others, starting with my good friend Jim's, Texas

4. I understand "hotlinks" and bandwidth all to well. Many of the problems I had with the web site almost a year ago came from the need to purchase more bandwidth (every byte that travels from my host to your computer costs $$$ folks, if you don't realize it already.) My biggest problem with hotlinks has been with eBay. A seller finds a photo on farmallcub.com and links the picture to his auction. BAM! All of a sudden I'm losing megabytes of bandwidth to his auction display. It's happened, but I don't threaten them with legal action, like calfcreek.net did. I send an email to the person asking them to remove the link and if they don't, I rename or move the link so it breaks on their end.

5. Now, I better get working on the rest of the states this weekend.

[Rudi]

Dennis:

Add the provinces too okay..... especially New Brunswick and can you find one that is animated????

So far I have lucked out

[George Willer]

Oh, btw guys, hot link to the server all you like! That is exactly what it is there for - information dissemination

Thanks, Rudi. I just did that without permission earlier today to quote a manual page.

[Rudi]

George:

You are welcome.

As in the previous post -- DITTO !! what is on the server is for all to use, so link as often as you like. If it is going to help a new cubber, a regular or a guest - that is what it is there for.

Permission Granted