kevinroberts

I'm so frustrated with the complete lack of support from DA admin regarding another member that pirated some of my work. I'm considering only uploading low-res images and watermarking them, even though they were originally stolen from another site. That would pretty much ruin the whole experience as far as I'm concerned, for me and probably for some of you as well.

witchdocktor.deviantart.com (Todd Wood) had a dozen photos of mine in a gallery he called Cape Cod Nudes. Originally stolen from DOMAI or MET-art, he cropped out the identifying info, claimed them as his own, offered them as prints, and submitted them to various DA groups.

Several other members called him on it and contacted me as well. He ignored us and hid our comments. I finally sent him a legal document, a 'Copyright violation  a serious crime' type rather than a 'What the hell are you doing with my photos?' and he finally removed them. Now DA customer service says because he took them down willingly (I call it disposing of the evidence) and they didn't see it themselves (because it took them several days to respond) that there's nothing they can do.

Here's on of the screen shots in my gallery fav.me/d4notd1

I have to wonder how many artists have had the entire online experience ruined like this.

Not just by thieves like witchdocktor. I've had my work ripped off many times, that's not what upsets me the most. There will always be lowlifes that can only steal and not create, that try to take credit and profit from others hard work. The worst part is the total lack of support from DA! Even eBay was more helpful, and getting a hold of customer service there is a challenge. to say the least.

I used to love it here, and I've spent a good bit of money too. Not only have I been a paid member for two years but I've given points and ordered prints from other artists, plus I've purchased t-shirts, mouse pads, coffee cups, puzzles, and canvas prints for myself and my customers. The legality of copyright issues aside, it just doesn't make sense from a business point of view.

I'm just very, very disappointed in DA's lack of support. I have screen captures of all witchdoktor's galleries clearly showing the stolen images, date and time and so on. As far as DA is concerned though, if the thief manages to dispose of the goods before he's apprehended then there's no crime!!!

It's the antithesis of everything artists do here, especially given the fact that we all share so freely.

Thanks for letting me rant. I'm interested if any of you have has similar experiences.

Keep The Faith,
Kevin

*sigh*

See you in the New Year!

This all came out of a conversation with Kristina Truluck tanikel.deviantart.com/ a 'Combat Documentation/Production Specialist' which she says is a long title for a combat photographer and videographer.

I was looking at some of the photos she's taken of soldiers in Afghanistan and was amazed but just how much they have to carry! I got thinking about mules, having read so much about them recently in in Larry McMurtry novels, and wish we could send some over for our troops.

Excerpts from various sources online. Don't laugh!
                          ===
An unsung hero - the awesome Army Mule.

Throughout the 18th and 19th centuries and even into the early part of the 20th century, armies depended on mules to haul everything needed for travel, camping, and fighting. On the backs of the Army Mules (draft mules and pack mules) were strapped hundreds of pounds of food, water, camping gear, medical supplies, weapons and ammunition. Survival of the fighting forces was dependent on the Army mules.

Many of the battles, especially the great Indian wars that opened up the Southwest, were in conditions unequaled by even those known to our dedicated soldiers of today. Across scorching hot deserts, through canyons too narrow for wagons to pass, up and down incredibly steep and dangerous mountains, the roughest of food and no water, the trusted Army Mule faithfully performed his duty.

General George Washington is credited with introducing to America, the strong, able mules that became a demand of farmers and the military. He saw the potential to create a "master race" of mules and acted on it. The great draft mules and pack mules he (and later many others) bred were:

• Highly intelligent
• Cautious - would not take unnecessary risks (some call it "stubborn")
• Courageous - not easily spooked by gunfire and cannons
• Patient and long-suffering
• Sure-footed: hooves suited to steep, rocky terrains
• Capable of carrying (or pulling) great loads
• Tolerant of extreme heat
• Required less food than other equines - and would eat whatever forage it found
• Required less water than other equines
• More resistant to diseases
• More resistant to insects - probably because of the tough, thick hides
• More "maintenance free" than other equines
• Much longer life spans than horses
                        ===
In a lot of ways they sound like our soldiers themselves!

As always, many, many thanks for our volunteer troops serving throughout the world. We all hope for the day when you come home safe, and dream of a day when the world will be at peace!

Check out the new Journal skin Black Crypt! How cool is this? No wonder I love DA.

I'm ecstatic about the DD on When Gravity Fails, thanks everyone who took the time to view and comment, and especially to dukeofspade.deviantart.com/ who suggested it!