Firstly the new Server will shortly be in operation, Henrik has given a lot of time and energy to ensure that everything is as it should be so hopefully we can look forward to having a stable website for the future.
I want this Website to be something that we can be proud of, it is now recognised worldwide and much has been achieved over the past Ten years that it has been On Line and we can be proud of this achievement.
We have recently come under attack by some members, it does happen from time to time that the Administration has to suffer this but those complaining can be counted on One Hand and I am content in the knowledge that the Silent Majority are satisfied with the way the Website is run and that is not to say everything is perfect, of course mistakes are made and complaints are received but they are few and far between, those that are received are always dealt with courtesy even if they are sometimes aggressive in content.
I would ask you to contemplate this website without any control, what do you imagine it would look like, I can tell you this the complaints would be coming thick and fast the difference being that this time they would be justified because the website would have become a shambles, so you must understand and accept the need for some form of control on this large website, I do not want to make too much of an issue about this but I must once again emphasis the fact that the Administration of this Website is given freely and voluntary by a Team dedicated to maintaining a Website of Quality Ship Photographs.
Now a word about uploading photographs, you will all know that we have in place a comprehensive set of Rules and Guidelines that are designed to explain what is expected for the Website and before you can upload you have to tick a box to indicate you have read and understand them, sadly from what is seen many of you have not read them or have chosen to ignore them and a consequence of this are Deletions.
I am well aware that Deletions are a contentious issue and I can say with all honesty that I wish we didn't have to deal with them but there are amongst us those that continue to upload unsuitable photographs even after they have been advised that their photographs are not acceptable and I am at a loss to understand this.
All deletions come with an Email and reason so I would have thought if it is not sharp then an effort would be made to overcome this with the next upload, but it doesn't happen, a photograph is deleted because it is obstructed or partial but they still come, so if you wish to avoid a deletion then you must take this into account, there is no real reason for a deletion if you abide by the rules so really rather than complain about them it is in your own hands to ensure you do not receive one.
A word now about Copyright, this website has very firm rules about Copyright Law but they are being sidestepped by some.
Ideally we would prefer photographs taken by members to be uploaded but we do allow those from outside sources with proviso's and they are that if you upload a photograph you have acquired you must state with the upload the Authors Name and that you have Approval to use it, if you are not able to do this then please do not upload, the fact that it may be long out of Copyright because of its appearance or age of the ship is not acceptable.
Only upload photographs taken by others if you have approval to do so, if you cannot or do not give this information with an upload then it will be deleted and you will then be given the opportunity to provide this information, if you are not able then it remains deleted.
This also applies to those from Museums, some Museums allow publication, some do not and this information must also be given with an upload.
As I have said we abide by the Copyright Law but we do not accept responsibility, all photographs uploaded are accepted in good faith but should a Legal Challenge be made then the person that uploaded it must take their own responsibility for any action.
http://www.shipspotting.com/support/faq.php?category=Site%20standards%20for%20all%20photoshttp://www.shipspotting.com/support/faq.php?category=Site%20standards%20for%20all%20photoshttp://www.shipspotting.com/support/faq.php?category=Code%20Of%20ConductKind regards
Ken Smith
Webmaster