This is a rant - if you don't like what I have to say, tough noogies.
At any rate the other day I scanned an out of print booklet because someone wanted a copy - next thing I know a whole lot of people wanted it. So since it was simple to do I honored all requests.
Next thing I know people start wondering about copy rights, find something on a site that I missed, etc etc and make me feel like a heel for trying to be a good guy helping out my fellow surveyors. Including people that asked for a copy.
So from now on folks there will be no general offerings of stuff from my library. A few specific individuals (you know who you are) will be welcome to contact me directly and I will assist with your research needs any time. And some of you (you also know who you are) can take a hike and find other research sources.
Dave,
I have a theory I've been mulling over for the 35 years I've been doing this.
Surveyors become Surveyors because our pathologies draw us to the Profession. While the manifestations tend to make us appear brilliant, they can also make us buttheads (and butt heads).
I appreciate your contribution to the site. Try not to let a few of us ruin your day.
TTYL Tom
As you know, I sent you an email directly.
I WHOLLY appreciate what you did and continue to do. You might look at my comment to James Fleming about what I think about the perceived value of the document is/was to the ASCE.
Thank you again.
Carl
> This is a rant - if you don't like what I have to say, tough noogies.
>
> At any rate the other day I scanned an out of print booklet because someone wanted a copy - next thing I know a whole lot of people wanted it. So since it was simple to do I honored all requests.
>
> Next thing I know people start wondering about copy rights, find something on a site that I missed, etc etc and make me feel like a heel for trying to be a good guy helping out my fellow surveyors. Including people that asked for a copy.
>
> So from now on folks there will be no general offerings of stuff from my library. A few specific individuals (you know who you are) will be welcome to contact me directly and I will assist with your research needs any time. And some of you (you also know who you are) can take a hike and find other research sources.
Aloha, Dave:
Don't let few comments get to you. I personally always appreciated your comments and inputs. However, I do understand the frustration your are experiencing.
Aloha!
Thank you for sending me a copy.
Some guys are real sticklers on copyright laws. You know that you will get flack on something like this every time. It's an internet forum open to the general public (unless some have gotten kicked off.) I hope you can let it go and not let it bother you so much. I hate to see you get high blood pressure from some online critics.
You certainly are a great resource. I would hate to see us miss out on your sharing an knowledge because of some comments on the internet.
:good: :good: Ditto!
I can't speak for anyone but myself, and I greatly appreciate your words of wisdom and willingness to help others in the profession.
My many thanks. I salute you!
> I can't speak for anyone but myself, and I greatly appreciate your words of wisdom and willingness to help others in the profession.
>
> My many thanks. I salute you!
I hope none of those words of wisdom were previously written in a book....(plagiarism you know).
Exactly...No good deed goes unpublished.. I mean unpunished. 😉
Personally, I thought you did a very good deed in providing the material.
But alas... Some will always render some blowback for whatever reason .
I wouldn't let it prevent the way you do things.
You have been a great resource to the forum.
Thanks
David-
As "it" is from your library and the material has an age involved, might the 'fair dealing' and 'private study' per
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fair_Dealing_in_Canadian_Copyright_Law
as well as the age of the document
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_countries%27_copyright_length
assist you in justifying helping your fellow surveyor ?
YOS
DGG
PS-
It is my impression that the main "test" for infringement is 'benefit' i.e. are you making $$$s doing what you are doing with the document ?
An internet chat-board..
..is a really good place to determine what people are like deep down in their hearts and what they think of themselves. And a bad place to accept unsolicited advice.
Meaning almost EVERYBODY is an expert and some can be critical to a fault. It probably requires a good thick skin to endure the slings and arrows from the peanut gallery. I don't have a thick skin (I really don't), but 12 year old scotch helps.
I hope you don't take it so personal. I, for one, applaud a professionally instinctual desire to circulate pertinent information. The world needs more of that and less quasi-legal admonishment from keyboard scholars.
A light in the darkest dark.
[sarcasm]That is the problem with frat parties, somebody always throws a snickers bar in the punch bowl.[/sarcasm]
The internet police are everywhere sticking their noses in unwanted places with apparent immunity and anonymity.
I balked at asking for the said publication because I figured you would get swamped with requests.
Dave - I appreciate your generosity in sharing the R/W document with me. Given the maelstrom of criticism you've received from some individuals over this, I'm sending my copy back to you . Hopefully others will follow suit and, once you get them all back, you can destroy them in a cyber bonfire out in the parking lot. It is being sent via registered email so you will need to go to the post office to pick it up.
Dave
Dave, as a church goer, I try to remember that the main purpose of attending church, is fellowship, and to better prepare to meet God, and to help others prepare to meet God.
I have to remind myself though, that is not everybody's goal, who attends church.
Some are there for business contacts, others to impress others, some to take notes about whats wrong there, some to give a cold shoulder to somebody, for spite.
No matter, I know why I am there.
And, I know you know why you shared what you did. It is out of the same reasoning, that says, "Coffee?" while you are carrying the pot.
So, keep your chin up. You have friends that do understand.
Nate
Dave
"And, I know you know why you shared what you did. It is out of the same reasoning, that says, "Coffee?" while you are carrying the pot."
:good:
I just had a couple of thoughts on this. It bothers me that you are as upset about it as you are. But maybe you got some emails that I don't know about. I reread some of the earlier posts and all I really noticed was a couple of comments about "you might want to be aware of copyright issues".
I have a couple of thoughts. On an item like this, that probably hasn't sold in many many years. A quick email to the source asking if you may make copies for your friends. They know that it's only a 13-page document, and they know that they aren't even actively selling it anyway. The only reason they might want money to make someone else a copy, is that they have to pay someone to go look it up, pay the postage and run the copies.
Another thing a person might do in like circumstances, is post your email address and ask the inquirer to shoot them an email. That you know where they might get a copy. Then you aren't openly posting about the distributing of the copies.
Don't get me wrong, I asked for a copy too. and this issue didn't even cross my mind. Some of the detractors might keep in mind that you didn't publish the article as if the words were yours. You didn't turn a profit for providing copies. You only took the time to help out your friends. The form isn't currently being sold (as far as I know) by someone else. The ACSE is a non-profit professional society and not a profit-making individual trying to make a buck.
You did nothing wrong in my eyes and, from what I can tell, in the eyes of most the people who post here.
:good:
Well said!
DDSM
