TechWhirl (TECHWR-L) is a resource for technical writing and technical communications professionals of all experience levels and in all industries to share their experiences and acquire information.
For two decades, technical communicators have turned to TechWhirl to ask and answer questions about the always-changing world of technical communications, such as tools, skills, career paths, methodologies, and emerging industries. The TechWhirl Archives and magazine, created for, by and about technical writers, offer a wealth of knowledge to everyone with an interest in any aspect of technical communications.
Subject:Re: Copyright & the net: more thoughts From:Karen Kay <karenk -at- NETCOM -dot- COM> Date:Thu, 14 Apr 1994 16:34:38 -0700
Chuck Martin said:
> Is such a rigid adherence to the
> rules of that outside workaday society contrary to the openness and
> freedom of this one?
I think that rules of politeness apply everywhere. It's impolite
(at the very *minimum*) to use someone's words without asking
their permission, let alone crediting them.
My attitude was not formed by being paid for my writing, because
that hasn't happened yet. It's been formed by thirteen years of
being on bitnet and internet. The last four years, I've been
involved in situations that blur the line between the net and my
life to the extent that I don't see much difference. And maybe
that's the real difference in our points of view: I don't
distinguish between 'this world' and 'the outside world' as you
seem to. I have one world, and copyright laws and politeness apply
there.