Crediting custom content when creating sims?

[bmthplz]

I really don't know what to do, and I also have no idea if this is the right place to post.

I'm having a great time creating sims at the moment, and I want to upload them more.

However, I want to credit all of the content that is custom thoroughly and I don't know how to go about finding out the creators for the content that I already have. I can't remember where I downloaded some of them from, and I don't know what to do. What program is easy for this? Like, a content manager (for a Mac user).

Should I delete all of my custom content and start over, ensuring that I know who created it?

I need some advice!

Thanks.

[High Plains Gamer]

I I'm having a great time creating sims at the moment, and I want to upload them more.

As a practical question, it depends on where you are going to upload the content. Some sites have pretty strict rules about crediting other creators. Other sites, like the Exchange, not so much. Outside of the various site rules, there really is not much to stop you from using other's work in your own.

The moral question may be more difficult.

It might behoove you to look at the files you used more carefully. Maybe their creators put their names in the files somewhere, like in the description or in the thumbnail? The creators who care about receiving credit tend to take the additional step of putting their name in the item description or in a custom thumbnail. Its a few minutes of extra work and can help them avoid a lot of brain damage when someone includes their work in another piece of custom content. It is also a far more permanent way of assuring one gets credit. It's sort of like an artist signing their paintings.

If the creator has put their name somwhere in the creation, they have actually solved part of the credit problem for you and others.

If they have not taken that step, it may be fair to assume they really did not care about receiving credit? It's really hard to imagine why someone would upload something without putting their name on it if they really cared about getting credit. If the creator did not care about receiving credit, why should you worry about crediting them?

Moreover, would a creator who did not sign his work actually want his work to be discarded because of their failure to "sign" it? Your only other alternative when faced with an "unsigned" creation might be to remove that creation from your work. Is that the result the creator really wanted -- to upload items, but then have those items go unused?

I realize there are those who will disagree with me. However, I have given a fair amount of thought to this very question, and it is an attempt to give an honest answer.

[bmthplz]

As a practical question, it depends on where you are going to upload the content. Some sites have pretty strict rules about crediting other creators. Other sites, like the Exchange, not so much. Outside of the various site rules, there really is not much to stop you from using other's work in your own.

The moral question may be more difficult.

It might behoove you to look at the files you used more carefully. Maybe their creators put their names in the files somewhere, like in the description or in the thumbnail? The creators who care about receiving credit tend to take the additional step of putting their name in the item description or in a custom thumbnail. Its a few minutes of extra work and can help them avoid a lot of brain damage when someone includes their work in another piece of custom content. It is also a far more permanent way of assuring one gets credit. It's sort of like an artist signing their paintings.

If the creator has put their name somwhere in the creation, they have actually solved part of the credit problem for you and others.

If they have not taken that step, it may be fair to assume they really did not care about receiving credit? It's really hard to imagine why someone would upload something without putting their name on it if they really cared about getting credit. If the creator did not care about receiving credit, why should you worry about crediting them?

Moreover, would a creator who did not sign his work actually want his work to be discarded because of their failure to "sign" it? Your only other alternative when faced with an "unsigned" creation might be to remove that creation from your work. Is that the result the creator really wanted -- to upload items, but then have those items go unused?

I realize there are those who will disagree with me. However, I have given a fair amount of thought

Thank you for your thoughts. I did actually think of discarding all of the unsigned work. I didn't think it would be fair not to credit their work just because they hadn't signed it. However, then I sort of agree with the whole 'not signing it' thing. If they wanted their work credited, surely they would have put their name in the file, or perhaps at the time they didn't think that was important? Although this doesn't solve my problem (ultimately, I didn't expect it to and I just wanted some advice) but thanks anyway. I'm going to try and download only custom content only if I'm able to credit the creator, or credit all that I can and claim that I don't own it to save myself the hassle.

If anyone else has any advice, it would also be helpful.

[cameranutz2]

There aren't too many sites out there that take user submissions but the more reputable ones will require you to proved the info. If you are planning to upload here then you will need to credit all creators...the upload system will require you provide it.

If you use pay items you will find that those creators, as a general rule, do not allow them to be shared anyway. Some free content is not allowed to be shared either, so bottom line you should always know where it came from and the creators terms of use if you plan to share lots.

If there is an item you really want to use and the creator info isn't obvious, you can check them using s3pe for package files or CUSTARD for Sims 3 Pack files, to see if the creator added the info in the Name and/or Description areas of the file.

[Ghost sdoj]

WCIF can help, too.

Post pictures of your Mystery content and ask "Where did I get this?" Someone else may know.

[High Plains Gamer]

The number of sites one can upload to are rather limited. I think it goes without saying that if you are going to post to someone else's site, you have to follow their rules.

t's a fairly simple matter for the site moderators. The don't have to know who actually created the item. They just have to know that it is not an EA item.

These poliicies are quite understandable. First some sites don't want to promote pay items, so they won't allow pay items whether they are properly credited or not. Second, they simply don't want to deal with claims from people saying "You stole my stuff."

That really leaves you with two alternatives: the Exchange, and your own site/blog. Obviously, EA's position is "It's not your stuff, it's our stuff. You can use our copyrighted material so long as you follow our rules -- basically you cannot claim ownership of it." As a result, they are not too interested in policing the Exchange.

With your own site or blog, you set your own rules, but have to live with the consequences. Also, the traffic you get will be a fraction of what you would get at any of the larger sites.

[bmthplz]

Thank you, everyone. The only places I really upload is the Exchange. I did want to upload a sim here and I know that I have to credit. I have read the upload policies, just to confirm.