Content providers + Free Sites (galleries) Owners PLS READ!
 

http://www.picsniffer.com

That tool more or less strips banners out of galleries/sites, so that BigKing Surfer has the comfort to see sterilized pages without even the need to looks at ads anymore...

Now the programmer of that tool claims it would be benifitting us hardworking webmasters because 2 tiny text links which are shown along with the "leeched" content might not only improve the surfer's 10000% jerkoff experience, but also the webmasters who might have another opportunity to sell through his program...

1) i don't want any sniffing program to babysit my bandwidth usage, by cutting out any graphical ads.
2) 2 tiny text links as shown on http://www.picsniffer.com/images/fullscreen.jpg

for sure won't increase my chances to sell something.
3) i highly doubt that a program like that is benifiting anyone but the programmer himself who cashes over 30$ per copy
4) I'm not waiting until that proggy gets so popular, that no one can change anything about it.
5) I want to be able to block that programm's user agent through htaccess (which ain't possible yet) along with all other bandwidth raping tools
6) and now here it comes :

From the point of vue of licensed content : HOW LEGAL IS THIS PROGRAM ?!? When i sign my licences, i sign them for being used on MY domains, and not for being used by 3rd party browsers which strip any selling-making opportunities out of my business...

Content providers : Isn't it infrigement of copyright and theft of services if a commercial tool like that allows access to content on my domains, for which i didn't give the permission for?

Free Site owners/makers : What is your point of vue about that?

Thanks, Michael

PS : that same thread is going on AW,I for those you'd like to read some of the background. But please reply here. Thanks.

Yes Pete,
it's something similar to what happened with Gator. Although, i'm not sure anymore if they lost or won the case.

Does anyone know of any legal sources concerning this type of software ? I'd appreciate it very much !

Also, content providers : doesn't such a tool interfere with the basic rights of publishing mentioned on most licences ?

Greetings, Michael

PS : i must add that the author of that tool was very responsive and actually is thinking about implementing features to block his software, if webmasters do not desire their sites being browsed by that tool.

I dont like this kind of stuff, but here are some devils advocate ideas why it is not illegal.

I can take a copy of time magazine that I find laying on the street and If I dont like the front cover i can get some glue and paste a picture of my face on the front cover. I have therefore edited time magazine to see it the way I want to see it. I can also alter the fonts on all pages on the interent to view it the way I want to view it. I can choose to turn images off or on on all websites. Does this mean microsoft browser is infringng on the way you display your page ? I dont think so ! So if you follow that thinking If I buy a peice of software and I agree to have that software change the way I veiw the web, then that is the same as having microsoft hardcode fonts into the browser default fonts. or me pasting a picture of my face onto my screen or inserting my picture digitally onto every page I view with a layer....

The point is on an individual basis I have the right to choose how I view your site. Now if I was able to edit your contnet so everyone who lokked at it had no choice but to see my ads then you could sue the fuck out off me.

Anyway this is all a gray area of the law and has not yet been proven right or worng. only a fat lawsuit will fix this.

But Google won a case where they can take all the images on your site thumbnail them all and put all thsoe pics on their site.
linking direct to the main pic. bypassing all of your ads.

Just stuff to think about in the digital age things are still new even if its been 10 years comin :)

one day the army of idiots will rule this business.

they already do :1orglaugh

the solution is more than simple ...

just stop giving free pics and movies

will you marry me?

don't be idiot

why? the only male with Niki name was Niki Lauda, the rest are women. Niki Nova is that you? :)

... yes you idiot, because on whole world are only American names ...

you don't worth a further reply

Hey the hardcore tgp people should be all for this, take care of the surfer right?

true, but you can add some htaccess files to your server preventing any access to the pic and your bandwidth than diretly through your thumbs wich are on a page with your ads on them - thus google's win was made pointless by technology.

the difference between altering a magazine page and a webpage is that the magazine page is already paid for, and the web page IS paid for depending on how many people see it.

what a pity! ;)

Not sure if anyone saw this or not, but here is what is on the main page now

Yes, apparently he decided to stall his download section, until he/they provide somekind of solution benifiting all of us, thus also where we as webmasters might deny access by that tool through htaccess...

Hopefully it will turn out for the best!
Michael