???Windows Media bonus pack skin converter......
Thursday, May 22, 2003 by goodmorphing | Discussion: WinCustomize Talk
I was wondering what skinners think of the 'skin importer' in the Windows Media bonus Pack for Windows XP? It is used to convert winamp skins to Windows Media skins with just a click of the button. It seems to me that could lead to a lot of 'porting' by casual users who are not versed in copyright issues, who have little understanding or concern about a skinner's rights... Why would Microsoft make something like that Or am I misunderstanding its use?
Here is a screen-shot to show what I am talking about: http://groups.msn.com/morphingpuppycom/general.msnw?action=get_message&mview=0&ID_Message=29
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jcg
Reply #2 Thursday, May 22, 2003 4:07 PM
Reply #2 Thursday, May 22, 2003 4:07 PM
There is nothing wrong with people converting for they're own use. If they post it as their own, however, then we Jafo them.
From Webster's:
Jafo (jah' foh) v. 1. to drop a huge legal sounding email on some unsuspecting ripper's head. 2. to stalk message boards zapping the uncouth and/or unlettered
I was using the first definition.
From Webster's:
Jafo (jah' foh) v. 1. to drop a huge legal sounding email on some unsuspecting ripper's head. 2. to stalk message boards zapping the uncouth and/or unlettered
I was using the first definition.
Snowman
Reply #3 Thursday, May 22, 2003 4:18 PM
Reply #3 Thursday, May 22, 2003 4:18 PM
| If they post it as their own, however, then we Jafo them |
goodmorphing
Reply #4 Thursday, May 22, 2003 4:34 PM
The thing that gets me is that a skinner, who understands about skinner's rights would know better than to post something they did that way. But this application would seem to attract a lot of the sort who don't have the skill or patience to make a skin and see a way of uploading something in their name. It just seemed too easy, to me. Instant knowledge with no learning curve, no explanation of ethics.. nothing at all.
Reply #4 Thursday, May 22, 2003 4:34 PM
The thing that gets me is that a skinner, who understands about skinner's rights would know better than to post something they did that way. But this application would seem to attract a lot of the sort who don't have the skill or patience to make a skin and see a way of uploading something in their name. It just seemed too easy, to me. Instant knowledge with no learning curve, no explanation of ethics.. nothing at all.
goodmorphing
Reply #5 Thursday, May 22, 2003 4:36 PM
...as more of these applications come out, I can see that Jafo is going to be a very, very busy man!
Reply #5 Thursday, May 22, 2003 4:36 PM
| If they post it as their own, however, then we Jafo them. |
...as more of these applications come out, I can see that Jafo is going to be a very, very busy man!
goodmorphing
Reply #6 Thursday, May 22, 2003 8:58 PM
Reply #6 Thursday, May 22, 2003 8:58 PM
This is strange.... I just dl BBX Winamp because someone said they couldn't and I wanted to test the link. This converter popped up and automatically converted the BBX skin to windows media. I looked and it is in there! I have never used the converter, I was only looking at it.
goodmorphing
Reply #7 Thursday, May 22, 2003 8:59 PM
Reply #7 Thursday, May 22, 2003 8:59 PM
....it just feels strange converting an authors skins without knowing how they feel about it. 
goodmorphing
Reply #8 Thursday, May 22, 2003 9:19 PM
Reply #8 Thursday, May 22, 2003 9:19 PM
Here is the screenshot of my port... just look in the reply. (SHEESH) http://groups.msn.com/morphingpuppycom/general.msnw?action=get_message&mview=0&ID_Message=29&all_topics=0
Maybe I should change my nick to 'The AccidentalSkinner!
Maybe I should change my nick to 'The AccidentalSkinner!
jcg
Reply #10 Thursday, May 22, 2003 9:39 PM
Reply #10 Thursday, May 22, 2003 9:39 PM
I wouldn't sweat it GM, its not like you posted it or as a port or took credit for it. I port stuff all the time for my own use, but you'll never see it unless I get permission, and neither will you. I think Voo knows that.
jcg
Reply #11 Thursday, May 22, 2003 9:40 PM
Reply #11 Thursday, May 22, 2003 9:40 PM
P.S. the copyright notice is for the player, not the skin 
MadIce
Reply #13 Thursday, May 22, 2003 11:15 PM
Reply #13 Thursday, May 22, 2003 11:15 PM
Yes. Looks very odd to me. Is there a way you can export the converted skin? Or doesn't WMP allow that?
goodmorphing
Reply #14 Thursday, May 22, 2003 11:46 PM Hmmmm.... I can't find the skin files, so maybe they hid them. That is good to know. Thanks....
...... me not finding files on my own computer is nothing new though...
Reply #14 Thursday, May 22, 2003 11:46 PM
Hmmmm.... I can't find the skin files, so maybe they hid them. That is good to know. Thanks.......... me not finding files on my own computer is nothing new though...
RogerCale
Reply #16 Friday, May 23, 2003 4:08 AM
Reply #16 Friday, May 23, 2003 4:08 AM
I went and checked it out and Microsoft has placed in the instructions the Information at the end of my comment, it's realy up to each Individual on how honest he is and if he has any respect for other skinners. If you convert them for your own personal use I see no harm in that, however if you convert the skinners work and post it somewhere as your work then that's not right and you should be held acountable. I personaly value you skinners, you do something that I can only do in a limited capacity and myself and my desktop thank you.
Microsofts information:
If you are not the creator of the skin, you may need to get permission from the owner/authorized licensor of the skin before importing. In general, any unauthorized use of content without explicit permission and/or valid license may be a violation of the law, including U.S. and International copyright laws.
Microsofts information:
If you are not the creator of the skin, you may need to get permission from the owner/authorized licensor of the skin before importing. In general, any unauthorized use of content without explicit permission and/or valid license may be a violation of the law, including U.S. and International copyright laws.
moshi
Reply #17 Friday, May 23, 2003 4:36 AM
Reply #17 Friday, May 23, 2003 4:36 AM
that´s for Winamp2 right? why can´t it just use Winamp2 skins without the need to convert them ... shouldn´t be to hard as it´s a really simple format.
moshi shakes head
moshi shakes head
MadIce
Reply #18 Friday, May 23, 2003 4:37 AM
Reply #18 Friday, May 23, 2003 4:37 AM
Yeah. We already knew that. It is just that if MS has a WA skin converter in WMP then one might feel it is OK to rip skins that way. That and if other companies are going to do the same then skinner's rights will be violated easier than ever.
paxx
Reply #19 Friday, May 23, 2003 5:27 AM
Reply #19 Friday, May 23, 2003 5:27 AM
It's nothing new, the Winamp skin importer for WMP has existed for a while, at least a year if not more than that. We haven't had much problems with it before.
It's quite simple: if there is no permission we don't accept it.
And anyway, the converter makes ugly skins. Why would anyone use a Winamp 2 looking skin for WMP when there so many awsome looking skins for WMP right now?
MadIce
Reply #20 Friday, May 23, 2003 5:33 AM
Reply #20 Friday, May 23, 2003 5:33 AM
Yes. I am not even doubting it will effect this site. How about other sites? That's where we find the rips. But your last point made me not to worry about it too much.
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Reply #1 Thursday, May 22, 2003 4:05 PM