How wrong is it to use someone else's code?

stealing?

[troi21]

How wrong is it to view a site's source code and adapt some of the javascript for use on your site?

[Sinner_G]

Not sure about how wrong it is, but everyone does it. (except myself of course ;))

[andreasfriedrich]

Viewing is not wrong ;). Using it is only wrong when it is a rather complex application and you copy it entirely. Getting some ideas how to implement a certain thing is ok.

The golden rule will help as well ;)

Andreas

[DrDoc]

If you're uncertain, you can always contact them and ask if it's ok. Usually they won't mind you borrowing too much :)

[Jello]

I'm not ashamed to admit that I've done it plenty of times in the past, it's the best way to learn anything. So if someone steals some code from me now, who am I to hold it against them?

[RZaakir]

I'm with you Jello,

Maybe this is just a side effect of people who are big on IP coming into web design but I say that these designers who are worried about their stuff being stolen need to get over it. That's kind of like Bennihana getting mad at somebody taking their recipes (a few of which I have successfully reverse engineered yet still go back to see the onion volcanos ;-)).

If you don't want the code copied, move it to the server, use Java / COM or just keep it to yourself on your hard disk / intranet.

[ukgimp]

Jaz and Rel

I agree too. Using it to learn is fine but a blatant copy of design/code is not as funny. But even less funny is copy of the main text content.

Makes me laugh when people try to hide their code though:

"Oh dear right click is disabled, I had better not try any harder to get at the code, that is far to difficult" :)

[Jello]

Indeed, if someone were to use my exact code, THAT would annoy me. Someone else's code you use should be a starting point, something to show you the concept of how the code works. Then you should at least be able to alter it to your own specific needs.

ukgimp, you're spot on about that 'disable right-click', those things are just pathetic, and are only used by people who don't do any decent coding anyhow... Surely a professional would never even think about using a stupid little trick like that.

[ukgimp]

Jello

I just dont think they work really those sorts of things. More annoying from my point of view are poeple who disable the back button. Gets right on my t#ts, following which I make a mental note and move on to another site. How dare they try and trap me!

<offsmallsoapbox>

Thats better

[Kasatka]

The thing that drives me buggy about the right click disabling is that those people typically manage to get pages locked in frames, and it's annoying have to go retype the URL elsewhere.

[piggybank1974]

Hi there

There is nothing wrong with copying, people copy or to adapt it to what they want.

How do you learn how to do things if you don't break down peoples' code that is the good thing with HMTL. It is easier to learn, how to do the things because you can break down information form different sources. The thing is everybody has to learn somewhere to how do you learn?

[edit_g]

Imitation is the most sincere form of flattery...

Just be sensible.

[Birdman]

Well, I was pretty upset when I spent a good amount of time on an Ebay description, then saw it stolen 1 day into the auction. I mean content, layout, the works.

Funny though, the fool left the image sources pointing to my webspace. hehe! I'll bet he was quite surprised the next time he viewed his item.

I think adapting pieces of code to your apps is okay, but not exact copies.

[deltron23]

It depends on whether you are copying an entire page or a portion element of a page. Don't do something like this:

<sorry, no urls>

[edited by: tedster at 6:58 pm (utc) on Mar. 8, 2003]

[deltron23]

sorry, forgot that I couldn't post url's: Won't happen again