Conventions / Courtesy re linking to others' sites.

Hubby and I say that, if it's on the web without a password, you can advertise the URL.

Artist friend says, no, it sucks up my bandwidth. Get permission first.

All three of us agree that the above does not apply to large sites like CNN. And you should link to the site's intended entry page or at least a page that has the usual entry page info -- disclaimers and credits and whatever the person wants to be seen with the piece in question.

And, if the owner of the site or the piece asks that you don't link without permission, or link to a specific page, you respect that. (That's one of the things that might be on the usual entry page for the site.)

But if the site doesn't say, is it reasonable to assume that we can safely advertise the link?

Discussion? Concensus?

__________________
Between stimulus and response there is a space.
In that space is our power to choose our response.
In our response lies our growth and our freedom.

- Viktor E. Frankl

Bandwidth is the total bits transferred up or down, usually per month. Host sites usually cap it. I've been to Tripod a few times, and, instead of getting what I wanted, I get a "sorry, bandwidth exceeded. Contact the webmaster of the site or try again next month" type message.

So, yes, it's a concern for little guys.

But the counter side is that they put stuff up to be seen.

__________________
Between stimulus and response there is a space.
In that space is our power to choose our response.
In our response lies our growth and our freedom.

- Viktor E. Frankl

Putting up the URL doesn't suck up bandwidth, but everyone heading over to look at it does.

Some servers do not allow you to prevent cross-linking -- haven't seen a thing about it on ours yet. Or you have to be a tech wiz to do it -- which means less time spent on art.

__________________
Between stimulus and response there is a space.
In that space is our power to choose our response.
In our response lies our growth and our freedom.

- Viktor E. Frankl

I've seen people with graphic intensive sites complain about being charged extra for their bandwidth because of linking from elsewhere. But that was some time ago, when perhaps bandwidth was more expensive and measured in smaller increments.

Geocities' free service certainly doesn't permit crosslinking, my site is on there and I haven't found a way around it. Probably if I paid them for their marvellous services they would permit crosslinking

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Mallanox : "My mother was Irish and my father was an alien. I was an only child and I dress funny."

GASP!!..you mean something thoughtful and profound has to be said when posting?????




NOW you tell me!

*rereads the fine print in original joining up contract..*

<smirk>

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Shoot first..ask questions later!