I blogged here earlier about Tastespotting, my fav food site ever. They basically gathered food photos from all over the blogsphere and posted them with links back to recipes, etc. When I can’t think of what to eat, I most often look there. Not any more. The concerning thing is that rumors online say it was disgruntled bloggers who shut it down. Some bloggers are unhappy that Tastespotting posts photos without first asking permission. Some also complained that links went to other sites, although there are rumblings that a blog stalker did that maliciously on purpose.
Many bloggers loved it when their photos got picked (someone actually has to submit the photos) because it caused a huge increase in traffic - what blog doesn’t want visitors? Many readers loved it because they discovered new sources and blogs they otherwise wouldn’t see.
It worries me. I used to write to each person to ask permission to use photos and links back to their info - I never got a “no.” In the interest of time, I just stopped asking first and started linking back, attributing and then forwarding a note with a link to back to the post - full disclosure. I’ve never had anyone complain, but if they did, I’d immediately remove the post - no questions asked. Because you’re hosting their info on your own server (you eat up other people’s limited bandwidth if you don’t) causes some people to freak, as well. I guess this all has to work itself out sooner or later, I’m just thinking about how impossible it’ll be to pass along cool stuff if you can’t use other people’s photos. As long as the original source is attributed with the appropriate links, I think it’s great. I’ve caught people using my stuff without linking back, but often they just didn’t know better. I want things to stay open and free. Some jerk’s gonna throw a wrench in the cogs, but the rest of us just have to power through.
Sunday, August 10, 2008 at 9:39AM 
