Well, it happened. I moved. I just got so completely and utterly tired of Gizba that I had to move. Every time I'd log on, the server would flood me with recursive messages that doubled back on each other, called each other when I closed them, and generally just killed my computer's resources. It took me forever to update this site last time, so I figured my next update should be on a new server. I would have a whole bunch of stuff for you guys, but there's this little group of idiots going around on the internet saying that Bueno and I are wrong for taking their images. You can read their little tirade here. Go ahead, click there. I'll wait here while you read it.

You know I'm not going to take something like that sitting down. How could I pass an opportunity like this up? I'm gonna take this one allegation at a time, so bear with me, okay?

First, they say "we can see many foreign websites using fanarts made by Japanese without permission, and most of the time they are displayed with the word 'author unknown'....... But do you think that is allowed? Then full credit is given, is that okay? The answer is NO."

Would you prefer I just posted the picture *without* letting people know that *I* wasn't the one who did the drawing? "Author unknown" lets everyone else know that I *didn't* draw that picture, but someone else did. It's just a stand-in until I find out who actually did the picture. Then, I give full credit, and that makes it okay, because what I'm displaying is not the original art, but rather a digital rendition of what someone else did on paper.

Second, they say "WE prohibit reusing without permission, so that will be the same as stealing TO US. So if you want to use Japanese fanarts, why don't you just follow Japanese's rules? Before using fanarts, we are asking others to contact the author."

Sure thing. And when three months go by and you don't reply to the six emails I sent you, what then? Maybe if you'd reply to the stuff in your inbox more often, we wouldn't be having this problem.

"almost all the people are prohibiting their works being reused/reproducted without permission even if it was credited. Please ASK first before you use."

Y'know, you're right. That disclaimer's been bothering me for a long time now, so y'know what? In the name of fair play, I'm going to change it. From now on, it will say, "all original artwork/fanfiction/etc may be used without permission as long as Scion and Shadophnix are given full credit." Happy? Probably not, because that wasn't what you were going for, but...

"I saw a comment by a foreigner saying: 'I don't know why Japanese prohibit their works being reused. If my works were displayed at other sites, I will be proud and flattered.' well, but who thinks that way when he/she felt that their own works were stolen?"

*FDLMAO* Nice paraphrase job you did, there. I believe those were MY words, actually. And yes, I would be proud and flattered if my fanfiction showed up on someone else's webpage. Mainly because I know my Strider fanfiction kicks @$$ and if someone posts it on their site, they're doing me a favor, AS LONG AS THEY GIVE ME CREDIT. Any publicity is good publicity, after all. They don't give me credit, I give 'em hell. They give me credit, I'm cool. I don't care what you gank from me, so long as I get credit for my stuff. I'd say you've got a null point, there.

"I think most of the people who use others' fanarts and try to make their website look more "gorgeous" (not by their own ability, but by others') have never created something by themselves."

BZZZZZT! Wrong answer! I write out the wazoo, ok? I have stories of all kinds that would make your jaw drop and have you on the edge of your seat. I also draw...I just don't have a scanner. Most of my drawings are pencil, and too light to scan, anyway. I assure you though, the stuff I do can hold its own weight *without* Photoshop enhancements. And yes, if you stole my originals and put them on your wall, I would be quite pissed off and probably throttle you. Taking a digital image of my drawing on paper is ENTIRELY different to me, though. There's only *one* piece of paper that I actually drew on, only *one* manuscript I actually wrote for each of my drawings or stories. The digital version of those works can be reproduced *infinitely* and I don't see why they *shouldn't* be, as long as the original author gets credit.

"We want to make our websites unique and full of originality by displaying the one-and-only-picture, and to show our own works and entertain guests."

Uh, you're not showing "the one-and-only-picture". You're showing a digital copy of that picture. There's a difference. Besides, if you wanted to make your website truly unique, why did you make a *Strider* webpage?

"We spend many time drawing one fanart, and if that work was reused without asking..... can you imagine what you'll feel? If you can't, just think of the situation that your idea of contents or HP design were stolen by others."

I believe I already addressed this issue, didn't I? Yeah, I did. Next point, please.

"And at last, we'll suggest you all to be more creative! Don't use other's fanarts and suggest you not to use official arts also--- but it's not our jurisdiction anyway, we are only prohibiting the reusing of fanarts (including original illustrations) in this union, so it's only a suggestion--- and use your own pictures! Don't just say 'I can't', try to draw one and use it in your website! ...We think that website is a place where the webmaster shows what he/she created."

Huh. Well, if we can't use fanart and we shouldn't use official art, then how the HFIL do you expect *anyone* to make a Strider website? In case you hadn't noticed, Strider artwork of any kind is in short supply on the web. Good Strider artwork is even rarer. Why not collect all the good stuff into *one* spot, and point people back to the original places you got the pics from? My archive is the result of 3 1/2 years of trolling the web...you want people to do that just to acquire the 60 measly megs of pictures that exist? No freaking way. We linked to your pages multiple times, always pointed them back to you, didn't claim any of it as our own, and just wanted to make kickass English-language Strider sites.

"Be creative and if you once created fanarts or fanfics by yourself, you can understand what we say and why we protest."

I have, and I don't. Now what?

"Thank you./ Online Fanarts Protection"

You're not welcome. Oh, and by the way, you might want to email and ask the person's permission before you (mis)quote them next time. "Please ASK first before you use," remember?

Never underestimate the idiocy of a prig with a crowquill pen up his ass, I guess. This whole thing is not going to stop me from finding Fanart and Fanfiction and posting it here on this site, never fear. As soon as I find some more luscious Strider art for you happy people, it will be posted here.

Well, I suppose that's it for this week. See you next week (hopefully)!