By law, photos, drawings, and writings by US government employees, created in the course of their work, are not copyrighted. So there's no deadline that needs to expire--those works were never copyrighted; they have always been in the public domain.
Now, not everything in a government archive was created by a government employee, so there may be things in there that are copyrighted, but those can usually be figured out.
During the 1930s, the federal government hired many artists, photographers, and writers as part of various public works programs. That's why there's so much public domain art and photos from that period.
Wise Bread has relinquished its copyright to the article; Will Chen wants to make sure that there is no connection between the article and Wise Bread (which is why he removed it in the first place). He also wants to make sure that it is understood that Wise Bread in no way condones Ms. Kirby's actions regarding the content of that article.
Ms. Kirby now has the copyright to the article and wants to make sure that it remains accessible, so she has given me permission to post it on my site. As I have said before, I (also) think it is important that it remains in the public domain. Here is the link to the article on my website: http://www.blindowlphoto.com/Pages/phototheft.htm
Thanks for a really interesting, thought-provoking post. As many people above have noted, there's no point in pursuing a trade unless you're interested in it and have the aptitude. The same is true of a 4 year liberal arts degree (and, in my case, a couple more degrees after that). Despite the fact that I'm just now joining the middle class in my early 30s, in a stopgap job, I don't regret my education for a second.
My husband's company works like this. The boss' philosophy is to hire the best people (note: people, not subject matter experts), and they'll find a use for them.
Heck, I'd love to work there (except for the overtime - but then, most of them don't even mind that, since there is such great camraderie and energy).
I do wonder how well something like this scales to a large organization. I can definetly see things like harassment or discrimination lawsuits being an issue with a philosophy of hiring productive 'friends'.
One of my best friends is from New Orleans, he often talks about the great food. And having sampled and MRE myself (my wife's father was a marine) I know what you mean. Wow, talk about sodium! Anyway, thanks for the feedback. If I find a Chicken in a Can retailer I'll let you know. They're fairly cheap, about $5 I believe.
I write this as someone who in a typical office job not remotely related to any kind of technical trade.
But the idea that the only thing a tradesman is billing for is the time physically on site is preposterous.
Many people have already listed insurance, receptionists, tools, travel, tons of costs. Plus, they have to save up for a rainy day, either literally, or just when they can't find any customers.
Also, you mentioned permits. When we were getting bids for some work, the contractors pretty much pass the permit cost along straight. Some even suggested we get and pay for the permit ourselves (to get in before a change in rules). They can be pretty expensive, and it all goes straight to the government, the only cut the tradesman gets is a fine if they're in violation.
That said, it's a great idea to learn as much as you can about common repairs so you don't do the equivalent of paying stephen hawking to help you with your physics homework. Some general knowledge will also help you evaluate estimates and bids to see who is trying to take you for a ride, and who knows what they're talking about. My husband worked framing houses for a summer job in college, and it gives invaluable perspective.
Finally, never, never pay by the hour. Pay by the job. If they don't agree to that, find someone else.
Can't say I've tried the scorpions or silk worms, but there are lots of GOOD stuff on that list! I would sooo kill to find whole canned chickens again! They are the absolute BEST for making chicken a la king. They're pressure-cooked; the chicken falls apart in tender strings. You can't make it like that from scratch. And it smells DIVINE when you open the can.
I have a recipe for "rack of spam" that involves slicing the loaf most of the way thru and stuffing it with canned pineapple chunks, then grilling it. Two cans!
Alligator meat is very good, especially in sausage, so I'm guessing crocodile meat would be similar. Here, we eat alligator sausage on a stick; you can buy it take-out in the market in the French Quarter.
Processed cheddar cheese in a can? We use it all the time in making nachos and other dishes in bulk at my daughter's school fairs. Good stuff, but loaded with fat.
The cheeseburger in a can looks acceptable in a pinch. In college, I would have thought I'd died and gone to heaven if I found it in my kitchen.
Like Bellen, I'm in hurricane country, and after Katrina, we ate MREs for so long that almost anything in those cans looks good by compare. Well, except maybe for the toothy fish--that was stretching it just a bit.
Are you, at heart, a tradesman? If you are, then pursue it! Are you a wordmaster? Then write your magic.
I think my son is going to go to university when he's ready, to study ancient history and the like, and if he's lucky he'll be able to take what he learns into the computer gaming industry or something, blending all of his interests into one. He would not make it as a plumber, or electrician. I don't know where my daughter may end up, she's still young, but maybe she'll end up in retail, organizing all those shelves just the way she likes. So be it! My husband went to college for Computer Programming/Systems Analyst - it was the right place for him. He's got the mindset to work on inventory and to rebuild our computers, but not to rebuild our outdoor shelves... And university was right for me. I'm not doing anything with it, but it is the place where my soul would dance and my heart would sing. I would be less if I hadn't pursued it.
Money gets you far, but it doesn't get you everywhere. If your aptitudes and talents call for doing tradework, Yes! If they call for college, Yes! Just be ready for later. There are always bills, there is always a price.
I was hoping people would write and let me know if they've tried it, and liked it (sorry, that's the Yo Gabba Gabba that my kids watch coming out in me). When you think about it, there's a demand for all of these products or they wouldn;t exist. Now...who's tried the canned scorpions?
Whole chicken in a can - I've used this on camping trips (in a tent with ice chest) to make Chicken and Dumplings. It really was good - just ask the tenters next to us having bologne sandwiches. Now, here in SW Florida, I keep that kind of stuff on hand for hurricane season - been thru one bad one named Charley, and now we're always prepared.
I've got three cans of that particular brand of haggis in my pantry right now. It's actually made with beef and it's pretty much like hash. Excellent for camping breakfasts, and I've never had anyone turn it down. Surprisingly tasty . . .
I could be wrong, but my understanding is that *most* (book) writers (and most book writers are not well known) either only get paid royalties, or receive a small writing fee and the rest is paid via royalties. And if that is the case, I bet a lot of writers would be quite happy to just earn a "sitting fee" for their writing.
Leta,
I would have to double-check the article, but I don't recall Carrie saying she had a problem with paying $5 per print as you are suggesting. I also don't recall her calling the photographer greedy; although other posters here have done that. Since her original article was removed, I just wanted to point that out and make it clear to anybody who hasn't read or doesn't remember the details of it.
The bottom line is that if photographers have created a contract and/or pricing structure that makes them appear greedy to many, then there is a problem; and that does seem to be the case.
So, why is the perception of (the photographer's) value so lacking with so many people. Why is there this perception of "they are only photographs?" Does anybody ever say "oh, it is only a custom hand crafted piece of stained glass?"
Thanks, Nora, for sharing this information. You have hit the nail on the head about many points, including the importance of checking out an opportunity to make sure it's legitimate AND right for you. There are lots of great opportunities out there, but not every one is right for every person.
There are millions of people who have found success in direct sales, whether that means $200 a week or a full-time income. I find the most common reason people fail is when they had unrealistic expectations at the outset.
Anyone interested in checking out a direct selling company should visit the Direct Selling Association's Web site. There you can find a page that outlines things to look at when considering an opportunity as well as other important information about direct selling. The link is http://www.dsa.org/aboutselling/opportunity/.
To follow up on Julie's (#15) comment above, our plumbing business provided an above average/median rate of income. However, I'm popping in to make sure everyone here knows that plumbers are required to apprentice, study, and take required tests before being granted a Masters Plumbing license. This license is required before one can open for biz on their own. I don't recall at the moment, but this can take somewhere in the neighborhood of 8 years to accomplish.
The benefit of 8 yrs studying as an apprentice - versus - 8 yrs in formal higher education - is that you can earn a living while learning (paid apprenticeship). Conversely, with 8 yrs in college, you pay through the nose - often for a long time if you've taken out student loans.
I am a life-long learner, returning to college periodically to study subjects of special interest to me. My credits are all over the place and I skipped the boring prerequisite classes. Since (as an entrepreneur) I don't need to concern myself with obtaining an expensive piece of paper (degree), I can focus on learning simply for the fun of it.
When I was a young adult, I couldn't afford college tuition. Therefore, I sought to learn a skill via an apprenticeship, too (dog-training). Mine wasn't paid like my husband's was, but it was much shorter and I didn't have to pay tuition for it, either.
Great post. My husband and I have often earned more than those of our peers and family members holding post-grad and professional degrees. We've shared similar conversations as this on many occasions. As someone mentioned here, we all bring different gifts and talents AND education levels to the table.
As our daughter grows, our intention is to encourage her unique talents and interests and facilitate whatever education is required to move on to the career meant for her; whether that be formal college ed or an apprenticeship.
"Ultimately I feel that if you are in a job with physical demands - bending over, lifting things, turning wrenches - there is a limited time you can do that before it all catches up with you and your body will likely revolt in your fiftes. Wheras all the "white collar" jobs you can do for much longer. You can go abuse your body in the gym"
My grandfather worked the farm his whole life doing all those things you mention. He is 89 now and still doing really well.
It isn't hard work which degrades the body. It is repetition - it isn't turning a wrench but turning a wrench the same way for 8 hours a day for years - which do in the body.
bleh, my library charges for dvd and cd rentals. $1-$3 a day.
I had no clue about that. Thanks!
By law, photos, drawings, and writings by US government employees, created in the course of their work, are not copyrighted. So there's no deadline that needs to expire--those works were never copyrighted; they have always been in the public domain.
Now, not everything in a government archive was created by a government employee, so there may be things in there that are copyrighted, but those can usually be figured out.
During the 1930s, the federal government hired many artists, photographers, and writers as part of various public works programs. That's why there's so much public domain art and photos from that period.
Wise Bread has relinquished its copyright to the article; Will Chen wants to make sure that there is no connection between the article and Wise Bread (which is why he removed it in the first place). He also wants to make sure that it is understood that Wise Bread in no way condones Ms. Kirby's actions regarding the content of that article.
Ms. Kirby now has the copyright to the article and wants to make sure that it remains accessible, so she has given me permission to post it on my site. As I have said before, I (also) think it is important that it remains in the public domain. Here is the link to the article on my website: http://www.blindowlphoto.com/Pages/phototheft.htm
The Online Photographer has closed this topic to new comments. I think it is important to keep this conversation going, which can be done here, or on Flickr (http://www.flickr.com/groups/weddingphoto/discuss/72157603791589394/?sea...).
Thanks for a really interesting, thought-provoking post. As many people above have noted, there's no point in pursuing a trade unless you're interested in it and have the aptitude. The same is true of a 4 year liberal arts degree (and, in my case, a couple more degrees after that). Despite the fact that I'm just now joining the middle class in my early 30s, in a stopgap job, I don't regret my education for a second.
right on.
My husband's company works like this. The boss' philosophy is to hire the best people (note: people, not subject matter experts), and they'll find a use for them.
Heck, I'd love to work there (except for the overtime - but then, most of them don't even mind that, since there is such great camraderie and energy).
I do wonder how well something like this scales to a large organization. I can definetly see things like harassment or discrimination lawsuits being an issue with a philosophy of hiring productive 'friends'.
One of my best friends is from New Orleans, he often talks about the great food. And having sampled and MRE myself (my wife's father was a marine) I know what you mean. Wow, talk about sodium! Anyway, thanks for the feedback. If I find a Chicken in a Can retailer I'll let you know. They're fairly cheap, about $5 I believe.
I write this as someone who in a typical office job not remotely related to any kind of technical trade.
But the idea that the only thing a tradesman is billing for is the time physically on site is preposterous.
Many people have already listed insurance, receptionists, tools, travel, tons of costs. Plus, they have to save up for a rainy day, either literally, or just when they can't find any customers.
Also, you mentioned permits. When we were getting bids for some work, the contractors pretty much pass the permit cost along straight. Some even suggested we get and pay for the permit ourselves (to get in before a change in rules). They can be pretty expensive, and it all goes straight to the government, the only cut the tradesman gets is a fine if they're in violation.
That said, it's a great idea to learn as much as you can about common repairs so you don't do the equivalent of paying stephen hawking to help you with your physics homework. Some general knowledge will also help you evaluate estimates and bids to see who is trying to take you for a ride, and who knows what they're talking about. My husband worked framing houses for a summer job in college, and it gives invaluable perspective.
Finally, never, never pay by the hour. Pay by the job. If they don't agree to that, find someone else.
Can't say I've tried the scorpions or silk worms, but there are lots of GOOD stuff on that list! I would sooo kill to find whole canned chickens again! They are the absolute BEST for making chicken a la king. They're pressure-cooked; the chicken falls apart in tender strings. You can't make it like that from scratch. And it smells DIVINE when you open the can.
I have a recipe for "rack of spam" that involves slicing the loaf most of the way thru and stuffing it with canned pineapple chunks, then grilling it. Two cans!
Alligator meat is very good, especially in sausage, so I'm guessing crocodile meat would be similar. Here, we eat alligator sausage on a stick; you can buy it take-out in the market in the French Quarter.
Processed cheddar cheese in a can? We use it all the time in making nachos and other dishes in bulk at my daughter's school fairs. Good stuff, but loaded with fat.
The cheeseburger in a can looks acceptable in a pinch. In college, I would have thought I'd died and gone to heaven if I found it in my kitchen.
Like Bellen, I'm in hurricane country, and after Katrina, we ate MREs for so long that almost anything in those cans looks good by compare. Well, except maybe for the toothy fish--that was stretching it just a bit.
Paul, you need to come sample the food here!
Tongue meat is surprisingly tasty. I've never had it from a can, though.
Are you, at heart, a tradesman? If you are, then pursue it! Are you a wordmaster? Then write your magic.
I think my son is going to go to university when he's ready, to study ancient history and the like, and if he's lucky he'll be able to take what he learns into the computer gaming industry or something, blending all of his interests into one. He would not make it as a plumber, or electrician. I don't know where my daughter may end up, she's still young, but maybe she'll end up in retail, organizing all those shelves just the way she likes. So be it! My husband went to college for Computer Programming/Systems Analyst - it was the right place for him. He's got the mindset to work on inventory and to rebuild our computers, but not to rebuild our outdoor shelves... And university was right for me. I'm not doing anything with it, but it is the place where my soul would dance and my heart would sing. I would be less if I hadn't pursued it.
Money gets you far, but it doesn't get you everywhere. If your aptitudes and talents call for doing tradework, Yes! If they call for college, Yes! Just be ready for later. There are always bills, there is always a price.
I was hoping people would write and let me know if they've tried it, and liked it (sorry, that's the Yo Gabba Gabba that my kids watch coming out in me). When you think about it, there's a demand for all of these products or they wouldn;t exist. Now...who's tried the canned scorpions?
Whole chicken in a can - I've used this on camping trips (in a tent with ice chest) to make Chicken and Dumplings. It really was good - just ask the tenters next to us having bologne sandwiches. Now, here in SW Florida, I keep that kind of stuff on hand for hurricane season - been thru one bad one named Charley, and now we're always prepared.
I've got three cans of that particular brand of haggis in my pantry right now. It's actually made with beef and it's pretty much like hash. Excellent for camping breakfasts, and I've never had anyone turn it down. Surprisingly tasty . . .
I like to use my own photos, but I didn't have anything nearly as good as this.
Huge props to Flickr, the people who invented the creative commons, and the people who license their photos so that people can use them.
knock it, and I will try it. Thanks!
B&M Brown Bread (bread in a can) is a New England tradition and great with beans:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brown_bread
http://www.bgfoods.com/bm/bm_products.asp (about half way down the page)
Don't knock it until you try it. It is good stuff and travels well (especially for back packing---it doesn't get squished!).
Amanda
I could be wrong, but my understanding is that *most* (book) writers (and most book writers are not well known) either only get paid royalties, or receive a small writing fee and the rest is paid via royalties. And if that is the case, I bet a lot of writers would be quite happy to just earn a "sitting fee" for their writing.
Leta,
I would have to double-check the article, but I don't recall Carrie saying she had a problem with paying $5 per print as you are suggesting. I also don't recall her calling the photographer greedy; although other posters here have done that. Since her original article was removed, I just wanted to point that out and make it clear to anybody who hasn't read or doesn't remember the details of it.
The bottom line is that if photographers have created a contract and/or pricing structure that makes them appear greedy to many, then there is a problem; and that does seem to be the case.
So, why is the perception of (the photographer's) value so lacking with so many people. Why is there this perception of "they are only photographs?" Does anybody ever say "oh, it is only a custom hand crafted piece of stained glass?"
Thanks, Nora, for sharing this information. You have hit the nail on the head about many points, including the importance of checking out an opportunity to make sure it's legitimate AND right for you. There are lots of great opportunities out there, but not every one is right for every person.
There are millions of people who have found success in direct sales, whether that means $200 a week or a full-time income. I find the most common reason people fail is when they had unrealistic expectations at the outset.
Anyone interested in checking out a direct selling company should visit the Direct Selling Association's Web site. There you can find a page that outlines things to look at when considering an opportunity as well as other important information about direct selling. The link is http://www.dsa.org/aboutselling/opportunity/.
To follow up on Julie's (#15) comment above, our plumbing business provided an above average/median rate of income. However, I'm popping in to make sure everyone here knows that plumbers are required to apprentice, study, and take required tests before being granted a Masters Plumbing license. This license is required before one can open for biz on their own. I don't recall at the moment, but this can take somewhere in the neighborhood of 8 years to accomplish.
The benefit of 8 yrs studying as an apprentice - versus - 8 yrs in formal higher education - is that you can earn a living while learning (paid apprenticeship). Conversely, with 8 yrs in college, you pay through the nose - often for a long time if you've taken out student loans.
I am a life-long learner, returning to college periodically to study subjects of special interest to me. My credits are all over the place and I skipped the boring prerequisite classes. Since (as an entrepreneur) I don't need to concern myself with obtaining an expensive piece of paper (degree), I can focus on learning simply for the fun of it.
When I was a young adult, I couldn't afford college tuition. Therefore, I sought to learn a skill via an apprenticeship, too (dog-training). Mine wasn't paid like my husband's was, but it was much shorter and I didn't have to pay tuition for it, either.
Great post. My husband and I have often earned more than those of our peers and family members holding post-grad and professional degrees. We've shared similar conversations as this on many occasions. As someone mentioned here, we all bring different gifts and talents AND education levels to the table.
As our daughter grows, our intention is to encourage her unique talents and interests and facilitate whatever education is required to move on to the career meant for her; whether that be formal college ed or an apprenticeship.
Good information! Too many people put this off.
That is the question for me. Some "legal" things might not be moral.
Alot of people on campus use ruckus and rave about its fantastic features. You can download full albums and even burn them onto CD legally.
Xin Lu, did you bother to take a look at their Terms of Service?
I urge you to do so, and to compare it to that of LinkedIn's.
I think you may be giving up more than you're getting.
Read more:
http://www.userglue.com/blog/2008/01/27/notchup-privacy-down/
Also, compare their site design to that of GrandCentral.com.
"Ultimately I feel that if you are in a job with physical demands - bending over, lifting things, turning wrenches - there is a limited time you can do that before it all catches up with you and your body will likely revolt in your fiftes. Wheras all the "white collar" jobs you can do for much longer. You can go abuse your body in the gym"
My grandfather worked the farm his whole life doing all those things you mention. He is 89 now and still doing really well.
It isn't hard work which degrades the body. It is repetition - it isn't turning a wrench but turning a wrench the same way for 8 hours a day for years - which do in the body.