USE\ALTERATION OF MAPS, ALL PLEASE READ!!!

[vbhoutex]

In recent days some on this site have begun to use maps from other sources and have altered them before posting them. Some have had disclaimers and some haven't.

ALL FORECASTS, ALL MAPS, and anything else which can even come close to being mistaken for an official forecast, map, etc. MUST HAVE THE STORM2K DISCLAIMER AT THE TOP OF THE POST. Personal disclaimers are not enough. The STORM2K disclaimer must be used whether you put your own disclaimer in the post or not. It is available at the top of the talkin' tropics forum.

STORM2K WILL NOT ALLOW THE USE OF ALTERED MAPS, ETC. FROM ANY OFFICIAL SOURCES. If you have any doubt whether what you want to do is allowed, contact a moderator or administrator first. Use of any of the above mentioned will make the poster subject to immediate suspension of posting priveleges for a time to be determined by the staff.

Official sources include, but are not necessarily limited to-NOAA, NHC, TPC, SPC, NWS and any agency connected with them in any way. The use of graphics from any other source at a minimum requires our disclaimer and giving proper credit to the originator of that graphic.

Again, if you have any questions concerning this, contact any staff member and they will be happy to assist you.

[WindRunner]

Does the ban include maps created off of sat maps altered with paint/similar software?

[vbhoutex]

No it does not include satellite maps that someone has used the paint program on. We are talking about officail maps etc. that have been altered but still look like the real thing to the untrained eye. A good example of what is allowed is the maps that dhweather has been doing.

[WindRunner]

OK, thanks. That's what I was thinking of.

[du1st]

i don't want to be rude but you guys are a little to controlling.

[Cookiely]

i don't want to be rude but you guys are a little to controlling.

Your rude to think they are controlling. The site could get in trouble for violating copywrite laws. Also, people who create the original maps have a right to not have their work violated or altered without permission.

[du1st]

you are right. Sorry for being rude.

[Derek Ortt]

Personally, I'd like the ban to extend to ALL hotlinking. When hotlinking, you are using the bandwidth of the site you are hot linking to. It is generally not considered to be good netiquite. It is better to provide a link to that site; thus, allowing the visitor to visit the site if they wish and explore all of the sites content.

If one hotlinks from ones own site (which I do when I am lazy to nwhhc) is different as there is consent from the site owner (which is obvious)

[abajan]

At any rate, I've always thought that the safest route was to simply post links to maps etc. instead of the actual maps. When we do that, less of S2K's resources are used and the pages load faster (a real plus for those of us still on dial-up).

As for copyright issues, sometimes they seem to go too far. For instance, did you know that it's illegal (at least in Barbados) to re-arrange songs from a CD (even if only for your own listening pleasure)? The reasoning being that the artist intended for his works to be listened to in a specific order!

[JTD]

(a real plus for those of us still on dial-up).

Amen to that! LOL.

And, no, the storm2k administrators aren't too controlling. Most other sites I visit, non weather and weather, would simply have posted this, locked the thread and proceeded to ban all violators for life.

[abajan]

...And, no, the storm2k administrators aren't too controlling. Most other sites I visit, non weather and weather, would simply have posted this, locked the thread and proceeded to ban all violators for life.

That's very true. Posters get away with stuff here that most other boards would ban them for. For instance, most boards consider 1 or 2 word posts or replies to be spam which can result in instant suspension of the offending member.

[Swimdude]

I'm glad this post was made. I've noticed a few of these maps recently... Though they CAN be amusing, we have to remember that not EVERYONE who comes to this site is an active poster.

[kevin]

...And, no, the storm2k administrators aren't too controlling. Most other sites I visit, non weather and weather, would simply have posted this, locked the thread and proceeded to ban all violators for life.

That's very true. Posters get away with stuff here that most other boards would ban them for. For instance, most boards consider 1 or 2 word posts or replies to be spam which can result in instant suspension of the offending member.

Agree.

[Frank2]

I agree completely - if a given map is altered to look like something it isn't, but is presented as the actual product, then, it is in violation of copyright laws, and perhaps even Federal law, especially for those maps that are property of and produced by the U.S. Department of Commerce/NOAA.

Frank

[mvtrucking]

...And, no, the storm2k administrators aren't too controlling. Most other sites I visit, non weather and weather, would simply have posted this, locked the thread and proceeded to ban all violators for life.

That's very true. Posters get away with stuff here that most other boards would ban them for. For instance, most boards consider 1 or 2 word posts or replies to be spam which can result in instant suspension of the offending member.

I am a member of several forums,(Some that are extremely busy) and have never heard of that. Suspension of a member for a "thank you" post(2 words). You must frequent some pretty tough forums?

[Downdraft]

I totally agree with the spirit of this thread. That being said maps and graphics posted by an agency of the United States Government on the INTERNET are considered in the "public" domain and do not have to show credit to the authors since the product of the government is in fact the product of the people. Altering such a product to present it as something it was not intended to be, however, especially when a reasonable person could construe the alteration as coming from an official source is a violation of law plain and simple. You can copy, and even add to such documents provided you clearly identify the addition as not part of the original document and identify the source. For instance, adding your own thoughts to a NHC forecast to support or disagree. The text should be marked or displayed in such a way that the reader will clearly understand this is NOT part of the original. While we are on the subject the reproduction of material not in the public domain such as "pay for service" products from sources such as Weathertap, Accuweather and the like is a violation of copyright law. A safe rule is that if you subscribe to a service to obtain their word product you cannot repost it to the public without the permission of the authors or agency. I have seen numerous copyright violations over the years on here and if you do it you the poster and Storm2k the entity are liable in any cause of action.

[mf_dolphin]

Any posting of copyrighted information information is a direct violation of the S2K terms of use. Doing so will result in the immediate termination of posting privileges. We take these issues very seriously.

[dhweather]

No it does not include satellite maps that someone has used the paint program on. We are talking about officail maps etc. that have been altered but still look like the real thing to the untrained eye. A good example of what is allowed is the maps that dhweather has been doing.

Aw man, I didn't get into trouble?

[vbhoutex]

No it does not include satellite maps that someone has used the paint program on. We are talking about officail maps etc. that have been altered but still look like the real thing to the untrained eye. A good example of what is allowed is the maps that dhweather has been doing.

Aw man, I didn't get into trouble?

No, but it can be arranged!!!

[Derek Ortt]

I'd like to make the request here that nobody hotlinks to an NWHHC product (not that it matters now since MATLAB is still down). Instead, just use a link to the forecast graphics page; this way, one can also see the intensity forecast graphic as well (or the track forecast graphics... in any event, the entire forecast).

The reason I ask this is that it caused some confusion on the web last year during Frances as to whether or not this was a mets forecast (which it was... Cangialosi's), or a model forecast