Traveller Websites and Mongoose Traveller

[DonM]

If I missed sending a message to you, and you have a great Traveller website -- I want to apologize. I didn't leave you out on purpose...

Here's the basic facts, and what I'm trying to do...

As many of you know, I'm moderating the T5 forum discussions for Marc... That's been a lot of fun over the last several months.

Many of you also know I'm "that timeline guy". While I haven't put up a new version in a while, I'm still adding items to the underlying database.

Anyway, one or two weeks ago, I received an e-mail from someone basically stating that it was nice that I was friends with Marc, so I didn't have to worry about Mongoose's new internet policy for Traveller.

Guys, I'm sorry, but if it applies to you, it applies to me. I have no problems pulling the timeline off the web; I'm not giving something I've worked my tail off for years on to someone else.

Anyway, I went over to the Mongoose site, and read their new policy, and informed Marc and Matthew that I could not meet the policy and I would be pulling my material off the web...

And that's NOT what Matthew wanted to see happen when they posted the new Fair Use Policy at all... So... that draft is gone.

Since Matthew Sprange of Mongoose doesn't want to kill off the fansites, he's trying to come up with new language to replace the old FFE Fair Use Policy that protects Mongoose and us. And since I badgered him about it long enough, he's wanting input from all interested parties... and I'm contacting the owners of the websites I use and refer to often enough to make sure they are aware of and can participate in those discussions...

So, if I didn't contact you specifically, I apologize. Some sites I couldn't find contact information on. Some sites that are great I don't use a lot... But I want to encourage all Traveller website owners who use OTU material to get involved in these discussions with Mongoose now, so that the Fair Use Policy they develop will allow all of us who have supported Traveller through the years to keep supporting Traveller.

As per the CoTI terms, I'm not going to mention where those discussions are, because I know mentioning other websites is a very, very bad thing.

o:

But do get involved in these discussions TODAY!

Thanks!

 

[Andrew Boulton]

As per the CoTI terms, I'm not going to mention where those discussions are, because I know mentioning other websites is a very, very bad thing.

Mentioning other sites is fine (especially in an important case like this). What you're not allowed to do is spam or encourage members to leave COTI.

 

[aramis]

In this case, the specific reference to a thread is important information of VALUE to the community here.

And for clarity for the readership: the ban on links is only to commercial sites, and only if attempting to draw people away. An exemption is presumed for other commercial Traveller forums due to value to the community here.

 

[far-trader]

An exemption is presumed for other commercial Traveller forums due to value to the community here.

Actually no, unless Hunter has said otherwise and not updated the FAQ (bold mine):

No advertising for commercial sites, even Traveller ones, without Hunter's approval.

There are some reasonable exemptions in the FAQ though.

 

[Andrew Boulton]

Getting Hunter's approval is tricky ATM...

 

[aramis]

Actually no, unless Hunter has said otherwise and not updated the FAQ (bold mine):

There are some reasonable exemptions in the FAQ though.

He has, but not in places you can read, FT.

Specifically, he's permitted links to Mongoose and SJG. In fact, the system has an RSS feed FROM SJG, with daily links to/from.

 

[DonM]

Well, the FAQ seemed vague, so I thought it best as a moderator to NOT set a bad example.

Especially since a small amount of google-fu will find what I'm obliquely and not directly referring to in my posting above. :smirk:

 

[aramis]

The FAQ is intentionally vague. Specifically, so that mods and hunter can respond to the needs of the community rather than the letter of the rules.

 

[Zparkz]

The need of the community, especially those who have their own Traveller sites to know where this discussion takes place without having to mess with google fu. It is Three AM here and my google is particularly week now.

Basically, I never really understood the "ban" on linking to other traveller sites or forums, if the Traveller community is so important.

 

[far-trader]

Basically it's not a ban on linking. It's a ban on recruiting, selling and advertising other sites, even other Traveller sites.

It's fine to say "hey, check out this topic over here" or "this LINK to the topic on The Other Traveller Site may help".

It's not cool to say "hey look what cool Traveller (or other) stuff I have for sale on my site" or "hey are you tired of the endless debates here on CotI then you should join this other Traveller site cause it's cooler".

At least the way I grok it all. Subject to secret orders not reflected in the FAQ, from Hunter to select individuals

 

[aramis]

FT, you pretty much nailed it.

Exceptions are few: Specifically, you can point people to WH23 and E23 for GT stuff, you can point people to FFE for GDW Traveller stuff, and as a courtesy, to the site licensed for the other GDW RPG properties (Sp1889, Dark Conspiracy, En Garde). You can point to specific on-line listings for specific Traveller goods (Typically E-bay listings) but not to the site overall.

As with ⌧... "I may not be able to define it well, but I sure know it when I see it!"

Given the subject matter, Don, linking to the thread at http://www.mongoosepublishing.com/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=36011 is relevant to the board community.

 

[DonM]

Thanks!

Wait... that's the thread for commercial use...

http://www.mongoosepublishing.com/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=36246 is the thread for the revision of the Fair Use Policy. There was another thread, but it has disappeared, as that draft of the FUP has been withdrawn...

Because about 95% of the extant Traveller websites would have vanished from the earth.

 

[Andrew Boulton]

There were a few other relevant threads too, but it's all gone quiet now. I think Marc, the 'geese, and the lawyers are trying to hammer out a more reasonable policy in private.

 

[DonM]

There's plenty of e-mail traffic going on, but yes, I think the right people are involved.

My view is, if you can write a FUP that covers my timeline, www.travellermap.com, the various Library Data collections, and sites like the DED zone or Zhodani Base, then we'll be in good shape.