I know I’m not the only one writing about this on their blog, but it’s something that comes up on a semi-regular basis in the world of computers and the Internet.  When you think about it, not only does the statement Computers Are Stupid fit, but since the Internet is run on computers, it too is stupid.

So, here it goes, you have happily signed up to be a part of an online community, (doesn’t matter which one, any one of them)  you build up your  list of friends and start posting a lot of content on the online community because you are a good citizen.  You also post because you want your friends and family to be kept up to date on pictures of the kids, what you all have been up to and in hopes that it will encourage your network to post too!  So everyone is all up to date, oohing and aahing over the cute pictures, stories and amazed at your intellectual depth from your poems and writing.

Then someone points out that the service you are using has pretty much unlimited rights to whatever you post on their service.

This angers you, no one should have the right to your intellectual depth you cry! So then you start contemplating whether or not you are going to continue to use the free service that allows you to connect to people you haven’t seen or heard from in 20 years… You start posting how unfair the service is, and that you think their policies just stink, right there on their free service.

After a while, things die down, the service amends their Terms Of Service and everybody gets back to cranking out content, what they are doing and thinking, as well as the next set of photos that they will post for their friends to see.  People use the service.

And that spells out the whole uprising.  Pretty amazing.

Here’s my view on the online communities… you sign up for the ability to find other people, for them to find you, and to keep everyone up to date.  The service is free, you don’t pay a dime.  They make money selling advertisements that you see every time you log into the service.  They provide a valuable service to you.

Do they?  Think about it, do they provide a valuable service to you?  Do you enjoy logging in and seeing what your friends are doing, or reading email that they sent you? 

This is always THE BIG THING, is it worth it to you?

As far as their Terms Of Service that says they have the rights to whatever you post on their service, well that’s common to many many online communities, or companies.  Just like they don’t want you posting copyrighted materials that aren’t yours on the service. 

Don’t like it?  Well then you should have read the terms of service when you signed up and only then clicked the ‘yes I agree to the terms of service’ check box if you agree to them.  If you didn’t read them and clicked the box accepting the terms, that’s your own fault.  And if you decide that you can’t live with those terms of service, remove yourself from the service.  It’s that simple.

“But Chris, what if they change the terms of service after I have agree to it?” -  Great question.  I’m no lawyer, never wanted to be, but in my humble opinion even if they have a clause in the terms of service that says they can update the terms anytime and that your continued use of the service indicates that you accept any changes, they should inform each one of their users and require that you click a check box indicating that you accept the new terms of service.

That way, there is no harm, no foul, everyone is informed and can make the choice of whether they want to continue to play or not.

Remember, everything you post or write on the Internet is available to be used by anyone, anytime with or without your permission.  If you want to keep total control of your content, post it where you can keep some kind of control over it, like a blog.  Even then, people can copy it, use it in another work and so forth. 

You just need to remember that, and only put things online that you are comfortable with maybe losing control of.   And instead of whining, do something….