but that new rule won't work if two designers worked on the one template. and is the second link in the templates in question a designer link? sure, the site may be owned by the designer, but it's for a free flash music player - very different from their 'designer' link.

Posted By: Sean@aaroncampbell and DeanStev: I am an active admin. I chimed in 10+ hours ago on this thread. Did you not see my comment?

I saw your comment. I was simply trying to point out that an active admin may not have answered within the first 12 hours of a post. Someone else made a comment regarding needing active admins, and I was saying that they needed to give it a little time. Even active admins aren't sitting there hitting refresh every 2 minutes.

Kirby: only three designs thus far.
Aaron: at least this time we have staff watching, and Sean is going to clear this up pretty fast, probably with something like the three sample rules which have been posted (mine, pete's, and yours).

Side note: I won't be around much (at all) in the next couple of days. I support the admin decision completely (even though it hasn't been made yet, because I know which way Sean will lean on this issue).

@Aaron: Indeed, I misunderstood what you meant, so I apologize...

But yes, you are correct, the 3 of us admins are in 3 different timezones, so we are not always checking the site 24/7, but with the different time zones in theory that should mean some admin cross coverage.

I'm in GMT -7 or Pacific Time (PT) for those in the USA and poke in on the site multiple times a day. I don't always comment, but I am always looking and reading.

Posted By: kirby145
------
My conclusion
------
=Maximum=
Required Links Back: 1
Public Domain Links Back: 2-Unmetered?
Sponsored Links: 0

However, links to various free/ open source resources, not required:
unmetered.

I'd say you can put in as many as you want ("within reason"--no spam templates!), but can only require that one remain.

And for collaborated templates, why not simply make the rule say, "No design may have more than one required link per designer, not to exceed two/three links total" (to allow links, but keep people from saying that a bajillion people collaborated on it and all need to be linked).

Sounds good to me!

@SeanPollock: If people want to leave, that's there choice. We need to have some order around here. Allowing too many links, sponsored links, etc is going to hurt the site, users and members in the long run.

OD gets a ton of traffic, new people signing up every day and part of why designers like putting designs up on OD is for traffic and also helping promote their sites and getting some search engine love. We don't want OD becoming a link farm.

I've got over 7 years of admin history with sites like OD... I was an admin on OSWD, then OWD and now a founding admin on OD... I've seen what happens when things get out of hand. A lot of the core members, meaning people who have been on the previous sites back in the day when things were good, then bad and now on OD know what I am talking about.

We will never please everyone. That's life. All we can do is what's best and try to keep the majority of people happy but keeping good values in place which is what Open Design is about, not link farming, sponsored links, etc.

I'll have a new rule in place sometime within the next 24 hours as I'm doing some research on things to make sure it's going to be a solid rule. I'll do a new post once I have it in place.

@DeanStev: you didn't do anything wrong... just with so many comments happening back to back, and leaving one while even more comments are coming in on the thread, things get lost in the communication path.

Posted By: DeanStev...I came on board during the OSWD to OWD transition so have seen things "evolve" so to speak (I just don't post a lot). I don't want to see the site go the same way as the others.

Indeed, and since I've been involved as an admin through all of this evolving, I also want to make sure we don't have the same type of issues.

A lot of the founding members on OD feel the same way, which is why some of these topics are so up in your face. We all want what's best but to also protect the values and reasons why OD came about in the first place.

i havent been active in this because i didnt know what side i was on... I think this got way to big. 1 designer link should be placed... if you are going to put more links go for it... but htey cant be required to stay. that is crazy... In all my templates i ask for my link to be left there and it never is. 75% of the ppl who download these will probably delete the links anyway. whether you like i or not.


We can enforce what people do here but not what people do outside of here

so which rule is enforced if personally am not opposed to it

What we need.. Is to make a system that prevents removal.. I have this really messed up idea in my head but I need to study! So I might post it later.. Feel free to split it into another thread, but now that this issue is done with I'm curious about the schemes (crazy or not) you could come up with to prevent illegal copyright removals...

there is nothing you can do which will prevent someone from removing author links. you can try coming up with fancy javascript or php solutions, but people will always be able to view the html source and remove references to such scripts. if you are really adamant about ensuring your link is kept intact, pretty much the only thing you can do is release your templates to only those who ask for it or who register, and then use some sort of spider script to periodically crawl each registered web site and report back on whether or not the link was found.

and with the JavaScript or php solution idea, that wouldn't work on OD anyway because JavaScript isn't allowed in templates but as pointed out, it's easy to get around.

how is it spyware? that's exactly what search engines do to index web pages.

i'm talking about hosting a script on your own server which periodically goes out and checks each registered web site to determine if the author link is present. nothing malicious about it.

Posted By: fernbap And what makes you think that anyone would be stupid enough to register a website and then remove the link?

@fernbap: People have choices, they can register or not register. They can respect licenses or not.

Moving along, what people don't seem to get with this discussion or many others on OD, you will NEVER be able to please everyone.

There will always be someone who removes links, however there are also people who respect design/download licenses and keep the links.

At the end of the day, you just need to keep making designs, choosing your license and do what you can to enforce your link policy.

If someone removes a link, you have a choice to take action or not.

If people leave a link in a design, that too is a choice. If people don't like the choices or options, don't upload designs or download designs. Simple as that.

@fernbap: If we had more respect on OD and in the World in general, things would be so much nicer.

I personally like either Public Domain or GPL licenses... but for designs or designers who use the Creative Commons license, if there is a need or reason to remove a link, I always contact the design author and ask to see if they would be willing to allow the removal for a fee or donation. 9 times out of 10, they say yes...

As we both pointed out, it comes down to respect. I personally make a choice to contact the designer/template author, ask my questions, and of course in a very respectful way. Most people are pretty reasonable and will work with you. A little friendly and respectful communication goes a long way.

@conartistdesigns: ramblingsoul removed his designs and basically said he was leaving OD because of the sponsored link debate.

NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!! I love RS!!! WHY WHY WHY?!?!?!?!?

@JeremyD: Why did you vote for allowing 50+ non-removable links in a template?

That's fair enough. Thanks for the answer. I noticed that you never had more than 1 link in your templates and wondered where you were coming from.

@JeremyD: That's cool you want to go along with the majority but you should vote on your personal feelings and beliefs, which of course is my personal opinion and now for my standard disclaimer:

This product is meant for educational purposes only. Any resemblance to real persons, living or dead is purely coincidental. Void where prohibited. Some assembly may be required. Batteries not included. Contents may settle during shipment. Use only as directed. May be too intense for some viewers. If condition persists, consult your physician. No user-serviceable parts inside. Breaking seal constitutes acceptance of agreement. Not responsible for direct, indirect, incidental or consequential damages resulting from any defect, error or failure to perform. Slippery when wet. For office use only. Substantial penalty for early withdrawal. Do not write below this line. Your cancelled check is your receipt. Avoid contact with skin. Employees and their families are not eligible. Beware of dog. Driver does not carry cash. Limited time offer, call now to insure prompt delivery. Use only in well-ventilated area. Keep away from fire or flame. Some equipment shown is optional. Price does not include taxes, dealer prep, or delivery. Penalty for private use. Call toll free before digging. Some of the trademarks mentioned in this product appear for identification purposes only. All models over 18 years of age. Do not use while operating a motor vehicle or heavy equipment. Postage will be paid by addressee. Apply only to affected area. One size fits all. Many suitcases look alike. Edited for television. No solicitors. Reproduction strictly prohibited. Restaurant package, not for resale. Objects in mirror are closer than they appear. Decision of judges is final. This supersedes all previous notices. No other warranty expressed or implied.

You forgot "don't put in the microwave"

Maybe the link rules could be wrapped in some humor as well? This wouldn't make the whole subject look sooo serious.