This is something I was hoping wouldn't need to be discussed, but there's some behaviors here, and in creative communities in general, that are pretty taboo. If you have a basic sense of right and wrong these should be pretty obvious, but alas...
1. Don't claim other people's work as your own. "Ripping" is about the worst thing you can do here. I don't think any explanation is necessary.
2. Ask permission before altering someone else's work and displaying if permission wasn't granted with the original work. Respect the requests of folks who don't want their work altered.
3. Don't photoshop your screenshots. Editing a screenshot to show more open windows or a pop up is fine, but when you're using photoshop to alter how the OS originally rendered the shell, icons, apps, whatever, it's making it look like you have skills you don't have. If everyone did this what would be the point? It becomes nothing more than a mock up, not a representation of your desktop environment. It's lame.
What it boils down to is respecting other people here. Doing these things amounts to spitting in the face of the people who take their time and do things right and honestly. The fact that it even needs to be mentioned is just sad.
Also - shill accounts made just to love your own work?
4. don't create fake/dumby accounts for loving your own submissions. if what you submit is of quality, it will see proper time on the front page. if you have to have extra accounts to get loves on your work, then you probably need a lot of practice at the particular craft. this also puts low quality/photoshopped submissions on the front page, and no one wants to look at that. there are plenty of talented people roaming around this site, and i think i'm a testament to the fact that spending time here and taking advice from your elders can make you a better customizer.
This is what really confounds me. Do these people really feel good about all the praise the get when they submit something ripped or a ps'd screenshot? Do you really receive satisfaction from it? How? It's so shallow.
If you are not sure then ask for a short video to prove it. And if the Uploader is not willing to create a short video then you can be sure that it is just a work of photoshop.
HURRAH! Heck I even felt bad on the rare occasion I used Paint to add a forgotten window or add a forgotten popup.
I think this needs to transferred to the help section. "Rules of doing a screenshot" obviously needs to be created. It can pretty much just be copied and pasted, it was very well written Tab.
Just to make clear, I obviously am not implying that nitzua did, we all know that, it's interesting the concepts being discussed there to those that need to be enlighted.
Now there's a good point, Photoshopping your shots to make your setups look better is completely useless. Let's say if your were to post an incredible screenshot, but you're not actually working with that setup, from where would the satisfaction come? Surely your actual setup will never look exactly as good as a screenshot, because the windows' positions and sizes would never be the same, that is if you show a lot in your screenshot, but at least you're really working on it. And that, for me, is satisfaction, rebooting 20 times just to get that combobox exactly in the right position of your dialog (aaargh, screw msgina sometimes!) The only righteous photoshopping you can do imo is use layers to show menu's or other thing that you can't shoot together, but they have to really be there!
But i have seen other things in screenshots that bother me too, like people using imageviewers that look great in a screenshot, but that you know are just shit to work with. Or people suddenly using stuff just because it's easy to skin, i see some people use something else in every shot.
Just let your screenshot be a representation of something you work with and we'll all be fine ^^
everyone is here to showcase what they have, but also to learn how to improve their work. i am of the belief system that if your sub is shit, don't post it at all. there are so many sub-standard submissions here it's ridiculous. a blind paraplegic could create something more aesthetically pleasing.
so please, before you post something, ask yourself "is this shit?"
3. Don't photoshop your screenshots. Editing a screenshot to show more open windows or a pop up is fine, but when you're using photoshop to alter how the OS originally rendered the shell, icons, apps, whatever, it's making it look like you have skills you don't have.
I think a logoff falls under that too and well yeah...since the days of Gehrunnerjunge they are not shopped in anymore that often
there's a difference between photoshopping your shot to add in elements which do not originally exist within your setup and those which cannot all be shown in an active state together. the latter is acceptable.
From my perspective, in windows XP, when the loggoff/shutdown button is pressed, the background fades out.
This is how how the OS is rendering at the moment of shutdown, so why do I see screenshots of just the modded shutdown dialog box but not the actual faded out background?
The box is captured and photoshopped into the screenshot. What I'm questioning is why this practice is acceptable currently??
When screenshot specialists like frozenchrome, petecee, frosted flames and others were subbing screens back in the day they only made screenshots of what their desks looked like the instant they took the screenshot without any added elements.
Now, If I'm wrong about this, and there are other ways of getting that dialog box to show up without the screen fading out in Windows XP, then I stand corrected and apologize to all offended.
It's a nifty trick that I too would like to learn..
max, for me when my shutdown dialogue appears it takes about a second or two before my screen fades so i got time to do a print screen before the fading.
although i use gj nowadays, i could still manage a non-faded screen with the original shutdown dialogue.
What qslg says is true. But that doesn't very much give you the option of having it where you want and like Max said that is one of those things that have to be photoshopped in, but there is nothing wrong with this in my opinion as you are not showing something that isn't actually there, if you would photshop the contents of the actual window you cut to paste then you would be cheating.
people using imageviewers that look great in a screenshot, but that you know are just shit to work with that's right Windows Fax Viewer is irreplaceable, but for the most people the empty space (originally, where the buttons have been) can't be hacked so that it is away.
My point is if you're changing how the shell or app is rendered, bad.
If you're changing a window position in order to show the viewers more mods, okay.
Really, a "NO" on any photoshopping is best, it's nice to give the honest people a way to show EVERYTHING they've done. To punish the good folks because others cheat isn't cool, I don't think.
Im with Pyro. i think Ego needs to do another updated bad example. Up to it man? "
I think that it's harder to do that in this days, but maybe we can gather a lot of SS pros and make a "How to do a fuckn nice Screenshot" thread or wiki page
how do u kno if sumone is photoshopping a ss? for my ss, i go to paint and black out the names and conversations wit my friends on miranda. is dat okay?
with eagle eyes + lots of free time. You catch something weird in a screenshot, copy/paste into a image viewer / photoshop and zoom into that weird zone.
About blur/cover the names into your contact list isn´t a big deal, but, seriously, what is the case of that?
imageviewers that look great in a screenshot, but that you know are just shit to work with. Or people suddenly using stuff just because it's easy to skin, i see some people use something else in every shot.
For the record, I use the setups I sub on here. ;) Whether people think they are unusable or to minimal is their prob. All my setups are highly functional for me personally.
And Irfanview gets minimal yet is still functional. Zeed annoys me, it's in another darned language, I dunno what the menu items are! We need a Japanese person to translate it for us. o_O
2. Ask permission before altering someone else's work and displaying if permission wasn't granted with the original work. Respect the requests of folks who don't want their work altered.
Quite sadly enough I see a lot of people "claim" they don't "remember" where they got the "original" despite the fact that it's usually from some big name skinner. OR they actually don't know of said big name skinner -- equally as sad.
But yeah.. once they do know it needs to be corrected.
Well... heck. Heck yeah I want it! How the heck did you do that?! All I got was question marks I couldn't even try to translate it using some sort of translation website.
...Did I even mention that I wanted it translated? o_O
well i did it the hard way ... tried all the different functions and worked out what they did, then reshacked the menus ... I still didn't touch the preferences ... someone would have to translate them for real ... should I upload it somewhere?
You can email it to me and I can put it on my site for a while if need be. But dang I should've thought of that lol. And I thought we had some one on Custo who understood Japanese...
[Terriblestereotype]I thought you were Asian why can't you read Japanese?![/terriblestereotype] =P
honestly, i "loved" my first submission. i really just wanted to see if it would even work since I was still logged in....plus i do love it...so suck on that one :)
seeing as how you are the ones determining what is what, and you have determined what you think i am, im going to go out on a limb here and say that if you think i am..then ipso facto i am.
if i had a say in any of it id argue the fact that i did it to simply see if it was in fact possible to click that link on your own work, obviously i know that now and havent done it since...also there is the fact that i haven't been ripping off anyone's work or creating bogus accounts/refreshing my work pages or anything like that. if i were to be an epitome, id like to think i held true to at least most of the criteria, maybe i read it wrong but i guess my "attitude" of a new user wanting to figure things out was a little outlandish for all of the fancy high class developers here. sorry to throw a preverbial stick in your spokes, i didnt think it would affect your superhuman brains so much when i described my first experience with subject. dont worry, next time i have a relevant point of view ill steer clear of the professional district of this site, so much for altruism...
Ok wow that was bothersome to read. Try using proper grammar, punctuation, paragrahs.. My eyes shall thank you for it.
Secondly. It never fails that new people with no knowledge of this website submit what I'd like to try to nicely put "under par" submissions. Then get all puffy and practically shout out a poorly written opinion on why we are wrong, mean, strange, etc. etc. And whatever else you all can think of.
And keep in mind I am only showing you my opinion as you so "kindly" did to me. So lets not get all pissy and throw some more poorly written insults back. "plus i do love it...so suck on that one :)"
Now you don't think that's a un-needed display of attitude towards a close knit community who have been here for years? And submit some of the highest quality of work onto this website? (At least before lately.)
"1. Don't claim other people's work as your own. "Ripping" is about the worst thing you can do here. I don't think any explanation is necessary."
Ripping is cheap, but it's also the greatest form of flattery. Any person who put's things online without realising that people rip, modify, hack etc etc all the time, then get's crazy shitty when it does - needs to wake up to themselves.
Not just anyone can doctor an amazing screenshot. Photoshop isn't a walk in the park application that any idiot can use. Maybe people can design great things, but just don't know how to turn it into a reality. I put myself in this boat, I've worked as a designer for 6 years and have all the necessary design skills yet none of the technical ones. Personally I would like to see a separate section for doctored screenshots, maybe it would let people connect to others who do know how to turn it into reality...
Oh and if people are completely open that thier screenshots aren't 100% real, I don't see why there should be any problems with it. The fact that you can design it should be good enough - as long as you don't make false claims etc etc.
Yes well "ripping" is very different from "tributing" other people's work. I personally wouldn't consider that flattery, I would consider it an insult.
And about all that, it has been addressed, you upload it and name it "Blah Concept" it's very simple. There doesn't need to be an area, just HONESTY about what on earth you are submitting.
There has been many collaborations by the good hard working people of this site with each other. One designing the skin and the other creating it. Not difficult to accomplish really.
"Ripping is cheap, but it's also the greatest form of flattery. Any person who put's things online without realising that people rip, modify, hack etc etc all the time, then get's crazy shitty when it does - needs to wake up to themselves."
Sounds like you don't know what ripping is.
Okay, whatever. If you're taking someone else's unaltered work and claiming it as your own. That's ripping. If you're using someone's work without permission to produce a new work, you're ripping. End of story. If you're hacking up and modding with permission, great.
"Greatest form of flattery", yeah, I'm always really thrilled when someone distributes my unaltered, original work as their own. Give me a break. If you've been involved in this community or any like it for over a week and think ripping is a-okay, you're not going to last long.
Sounds like you have a typical case of "IF ITZ ON THE INTERNETZ ITZ MINE!!!!".
as far as my comment that you've quoted, its called a sense of humor, i guess im no comedian but it was meant to be taken on much lighter note than you have interpreted it. I mean common, should I have used two smiley faces? (thats another joke - i cant believe i have to add a disclaimer here...)
my "attitude" had nothing to do with negativity - i was simply trying to represent myself with my honest portrayal of what had happened to me my first time experiencing the subject.
I mean seriously, will one "i love it" really change anything about my piece, I would think not, but whatever. Also, if there is nothing stopping someone from doing that action, who are any of you to decide what they can or cannot do just because you've been here longer. I agree creating multiple accounts to love yourself is retarded, but until they crack down here your opinions are still just that, opinions. (not governing anyone)
On the same note, heres a novel idea...Letting the designer(s) of this site determine the rules. I know everyone here is big on "quality of work" but whatever happened to individualism. I thought that was the point of this site, everyone having their own different styles of work. I can handle the fact that people wouldn't think my work was good, but it wouldn't stop me from doing it.
In fact, thats why you have the option to not download items which you don't like...or even comment on them and voice your own opinions. Better yet, you can report them if they are stolen, wow - I am a newb here and I already know that.
I'm trying to say, that don't be so shocked when it happens. If you don't want people messing with your work - don't upload it, simple. The minute you let the masses download it is the minute you invite someone to thieve it. The only thing that protects you is people's honesty, and don't count on it since this is the internet. Cynical yes, but it's the truth.
I never said ripping is ok and I know perfectly well what constitutes it. I've been a stock photographer for years and have had to deal with people selling my photos zZz . For your information, in general any peice of artwork that is 70% modified or not recognisable to the original owner, is a legal modification. Anything else is a rip, including modifications. Of course this doesn't matter if you have permission to do so. Copyright law is a really messy issue and the internet only seems to make it more so lol.
Just a general question - are people required to be registered to download from here??
We've all been here for years, and for some one new to post some thing like that -- yeah we're not gonna take that lightly. At least not me, I love this community more then I can express.
And we don't know you, and you're "sense of humor". So when you post your second post try remembering that you're new here and haven't even been a member for a week.
And it's not the action of what you did, it's the principle of you appeared to look at the action. If you'd been here for even a few months you would know of "the incident" with loves. And the whole bloody reason why it's a sensitive subject as well as all the others mentioned in this thread.
And yeah we've discussed this rules with the designers, in fact that was part of why this thread was originally created. IN FACT all this was included with the original agreement you had to sign before submitting here. IN FACT the designers inforce just about all we tell people ALL THE TIME.
AND another thing, about just not downloading/viewing/commenting on items we don't like. Yeah thats all find and dandy but another thing that had been discussed was that we don't want this site to turn into dA. And have to traverse through loads of crap to find a gem. We're a CUSTOMIZE website not a ART website quite frankly.
SO in short what would help you and all others is to remember one line: Join up, stay quiet at first, get situated, grow and submit quality work, and become a part of the community.
P.S. Yeah thanks for posting a properly written post.
"honestly, i "loved" my first submission. i really just wanted to see if it would even work since I was still logged in....plus i do love it...so suck on that one :)"
Honestly, me too. I mean, doing it just to seeing if it worked.
Unless someone REALLY is a douche and goes out of their way to A. Spam subs B. Create shills to love the subs, it's not huge deal. Then all of the sudden you have a poser as "most loved"....by himself.
Unfortunately, it's already happened once. It makes me want to be able to opt out of the whole system.
