My thoughts on dredging up my old articles from the defunct Tome of Mystara got me thinking...
Given that each article was copyrighted, and the back issues do not seem to be available online right now (save possibly through the Wayback Machine, but I can't access that from work), I thought I would send out a call to the former contributors, if any are here, to ask their formal permission to make their old Tome Submissions available on the Vaults.
I'll also post this on the MML, and Dragonsfoot.
[EDIT]
Here is the list of authors, grouped by issue, who have not yet given their consent. We are very, very close:
#1 FULL CONSENT OBTAINED
#2 FULL CONSENT OBTAINED
#3 FULL CONSENT OBTAINED
#4 FULL CONSENT OBTAINED
#5
Adrian Matthias - send him a couple of emails, no reply
#6
Jenni Merrifield (cover)
Derek Adam
Geoff
Hi all,
My thoughts on dredging up my old articles from the defunct Tome of Mystara got me thinking...
Given that each article was copyrighted, and the back issues do not seem to be available online right now (save possibly through the Wayback Machine, but I can't access that from work), I thought I would send out a call to the former contributors, if any are here, to ask their formal permission to make their old Tome Submissions available on the Vaults.
I'll also post this on the MML, and Dragonsfoot.
I would definately like to see these made available again, preferably on the Vaults. I hope you will be able to find all of the authors.
Håvard
Geoff
My own contributions were limited to a couple of episodes of Twilight of the Dawn, which are available on the website of the same name, but of course I would be more than happy to have them placed on the Vaults- they'd probably see more usage there.
Geoff
I'll be updating the first post on a continuous basis, so people can see how much progress is being made.
Geoff
James
It'll be great to see the Tomes out there again! Consider this my permission, or, let me know if I need to send an e-mail elsewhere...
James
Thanks James! Your reply was all I needed.
Geoff
To those who have not yet replied, please let me know. There is still a considerable amount of interest in the Tome of Mystara, and making its issues accessible once more to Mystaran fandom would be wonderful!
Geoff
how go the last couple of people. Bruce could be asked in his question thread, unless he's already agreed.
bump
how go the last couple of people. Bruce could be asked in his question thread, unless he's already agreed.
Bruce gave me his consent...I tried to bump this one, but for some reason couldn't find it. I'll update the post at the top to reflect who I haven't heard from.
Geoff
Bruce gave me his consent...I tried to bump this one, but for some reason couldn't find it. I'll update the post at the top to reflect who I haven't heard from.
Geoff
that's cool Geoff. Sorry I was just getting picky, that happens when I get an update of the Vaults out of the way.
that's cool Geoff. Sorry I was just getting picky, that happens when I get an update of the Vaults out of the way.
If a couple of people can't be reached, would you consider uploading it anyway and possibly removing it should they return and object?
Havard
If a couple of people can't be reached, would you consider uploading it anyway and possibly removing it should they return and object?
Under the circumstances, I think that might be the best option. After all, we aren't talking about intellectual property that was going to make anyone any money. I wanted to get people's explicit permission more on moral grounds than anything else.
Besides, I secured the permission of the vast majority of people.
Geoff
If a couple of people can't be reached, would you consider uploading it anyway and possibly removing it should they return and object?
Havard
well how does the Internet Archive Wayback Machine get around such simple things as copyright?
well how does the Internet Archive Wayback Machine get around such simple things as copyright?
They don't. They do make a (reasonable) assumption that since the material they archive was originally published on the public Internet, it's okay to archive and rebroadcast. But they do maintain a standing agent to process takedown requests from copyright holders who don't want their material hosted.
(Apologies if this response seems somewhat pointed, but the notion of 'getting around' copyright is something that offends me professionally. Kids who trade scanned PDFs of rulebooks over filesharing networks are 'getting around' copyright. Organizations who exercise their legal fair use rights aren't 'getting around' anything. Keeping the distinction clear is important for all of us who enjoy the chance to trade information, especially over the Internet.)
They don't. They do make a (reasonable) assumption that since the material they archive was originally published on the public Internet, it's okay to archive and rebroadcast. But they do maintain a standing agent to process takedown requests from copyright holders who don't want their material hosted.
(Apologies if this response seems somewhat pointed, but the notion of 'getting around' copyright is something that offends me professionally. Kids who trade scanned PDFs of rulebooks over filesharing networks are 'getting around' copyright. Organizations who exercise their legal fair use rights aren't 'getting around' anything. Keeping the distinction clear is important for all of us who enjoy the chance to trade information, especially over the Internet.)
So case A, there's somebody who hosts something and will take it down if somebody goes out of their way to ask them to take it down - because those people probably have a legal right to do so and the hosters were probably breaking their copyright by hosting it in the first place.
Case B, sombody hosts something and will be forced to take it down if forced to do so by a legal system at the behest of the copyright owners - who have a legal right to do so and the hosters were allegedly breaking their copyright by hosting it in the first place.
Sorry, this might seem to be a bit off topic, but I'm just trying to get my head around what I'm being asked to do here on the Vaults.
So case A, there's somebody who hosts something and will take it down if somebody goes out of their way to ask them to take it down - because those people probably have a legal right to do so and the hosters were probably breaking their copyright by hosting it in the first place.
Case B, sombody hosts something and will be forced to take it down if forced to do so by a legal system at the behest of the copyright owners - who have a legal right to do so and the hosters were allegedly breaking their copyright by hosting it in the first place.
Sorry, this might seem to be a bit off topic, but I'm just trying to get my head around what I'm being asked to do here on the Vaults.
Bearing in mind that I am not a lawyer.
I think 'Case A' is closer to the mark the 'B'.I would think that if someone asked you to remove their work from the Vaults you would do so. Obviously in the unlikely event that you refused to do so then they might resort to legal action.
Another option is to post the Tomes but without the articles whose authors haven't granted permission - not sure how feasible that would be and obviously I would prefer to see the Tomes remain intact.
Regards
Gary
Bearing in mind that I am not a lawyer.
my point was that, for my mind at least, there's not a lot of difference between the two cases. Case A is what I'm being asked to adhere to, and case B is the one which we know is wrong.
I would think that if someone asked you to remove their work from the Vaults you would do so. Obviously in the unlikely event that you refused to do so then they might resort to legal action.
Another option is to post the Tomes but without the articles whose authors haven't granted permission - not sure how feasible that would be and obviously I would prefer to see the Tomes remain intact.
Regards
Gary
that is the option but unfortunately we still don't have Jennifer on board. Oh wait Geoff, were you able to get in contact with Kevin. Personally I would like to have one of the editors on board to host the Tome concept even if I have to end up simply not hosting some articles.
Yes, I did get in touch with Kevin Turner, who was the other editor. He gave me his blessing to go forward, and he asked me to send Jenn his regards.
As far as Jenn is concerned, her website is no longer active, but she does reviews on Amazon.com from time to time. I haven't been able to figure out a way to contact her through those means, though (I assume it must be possible). I even tried several google searches for her and her husband, Ariel, to see if I could pull anything up. If anyone has any ideas, I would welcome them.
I will, however, send James an email, to tie that loose end. On the matter of Scott Hertzberg, though, does anyone here have a myspace account that they could use to contact him?
Geoff
Hi Shawn,
Yes, I did get in touch with Kevin Turner, who was the other editor. He gave me his blessing to go forward, and he asked me to send Jenn his regards.
As far as Jenn is concerned, her website is no longer active, but she does reviews on Amazon.com from time to time. I haven't been able to figure out a way to contact her through those means, though (I assume it must be possible). I even tried several google searches for her and her husband, Ariel, to see if I could pull anything up. If anyone has any ideas, I would welcome them.
I will, however, send James an email, to tie that loose end. On the matter of Scott Hertzberg, though, does anyone here have a myspace account that they could use to contact him?
Geoff
oops the second Geoff above was obviously Kevin
I tried similar things Geoff and found the same things that you did. Essentially though there appears to be no current way to contact Jenn.
Geoff
On the matter of Scott Hertzberg, though, does anyone here have a myspace account that they could use to contact him?
Just sent Scott a message so hopefully you/me will hear from him shortly.
Regards
Gary
But then again, she may have received my messages and decided not to reply, too.
Sounds very unlikely.
Håvard
Haha! it is me afterall. That's wonderful. I will send an email over to Geoff ASAP.
I miss Mystara
Cheers,
Scott
Looks like it could be one more 'permission granted' :D
Regards
Gary
Geoff
Just updated the list to account for blessings from Scott Hertzberg and John Polacek for this little endeavour.
Geoff
Thanks to everyone for their help!
Geoff
Which leads me to the next question, I had never gotten the full Tome site downloaded when it was up and so had to go via the Wayback Machine. On closer inspection now I'm missing some files from Issue 2, namely:
abstract_in_darkness.jpg
ale2.jpg
alestrp1.jpg
bluesun2.html
bluesun3.html
boreacentral.png
boreaeast.png
boreawest.png
concentration.jpg
concentration2.jpg
dragon.jpg
duel.jpg
farie.jpg
isledread.png
monks.jpg
moor.jpg
nuevaispanola.png
reflecting_blade.jpg
shield.jpg
swordsman.jpg
tervine3.html
wendar.png
wyrm2.html
wyrm3.html
wyrm4.html
wyrm5.html
wyrm6.html
yavdlom.png
Can anybody email these along to me?
I've been able to get in touch with Jennifer, and she's happily given her consent.
Yay!!! That means #2 and #4 have 100% consent.Sorry can't help with files.
Regards
Gary
I've been able to get in touch with Jennifer, and she's happily given her consent.
Great! How did you get a hold of her?
Geoff
Great! How did you get a hold of her?
Geoff
something else new came up on the Google search
Which leads me to the next question, I had never gotten the full Tome site downloaded when it was up and so had to go via the Wayback Machine. On closer inspection now I'm missing some files from Issue 2, namely:
abstract_in_darkness.jpg
ale2.jpg
alestrp1.jpg
bluesun2.html
bluesun3.html
boreacentral.png
boreaeast.png
boreawest.png
concentration.jpg
concentration2.jpg
dragon.jpg
duel.jpg
farie.jpg
isledread.png
monks.jpg
moor.jpg
nuevaispanola.png
reflecting_blade.jpg
shield.jpg
swordsman.jpg
tervine3.html
wendar.png
wyrm2.html
wyrm3.html
wyrm4.html
wyrm5.html
wyrm6.html
yavdlom.png
Can anybody email these along to me?
anyone?
anyone?
Will check tomorrow -- I do have a number of issues zipped somewhere, but I can't remember whether I have this one or not.
GP
It looks like James Ruhland just returned from deployment
Yes, I saw that too. I sent him a quick note yesterday morning - I'll let you know if he responds.
Geoff
anyone?
I have the issues in .PDF format - would it be possible to extract the needed files?
I readily admit that I know very little about the pdf-ing process.
Geoff
I have the issues in .PDF format - would it be possible to extract the needed files?
I should be reasonably simple.
I have the issues in .PDF format - would it be possible to extract the needed files?
I readily admit that I know very little about the pdf-ing process.
Geoff
yeah just send them along Geoff, although that isn't the ideal solution.
Could you get me in touch with Kevin or vice versa Geoff. I asked Jenn and she doesn't have the files, and there really doesn't appear to be anyone else who has responded to this thread yet who has the files.
and there really doesn't appear to be anyone else who has responded to this thread yet who has the files.
Unfortunately, it seems issue 2 is the only one I don't have
GP
I believe issue 4 requested people send in their funny campaign stories, so I sent mine in, but while the submission was enjoyed, it didn't make it into the actual issue, being dropped due to time(Tome of Mystara coming to an end) and mine being the only submission.
I was always kind of bummed it did not make it in. Would anyone like to turn
to :D ?Geoff
As long as the Tome of Mystara is being republished, would anyone be interested in seeing my contribution that was dropped from the last issue?
I would as well as all the other Tome of Mystara stuff.
I would as well as all the other Tome of Mystara stuff.
yeah sorry, I obviously didn't get things up before heading down under for the holiday period - and I can't make any promises until I get back in the New Year.
So is there an ETA on when we may see the files either here on on Pandius?
probably early in the New Year Multizar. Quicker if I get those files that I'm missing.
I will look up the notes on which I based my submission, and repost it here. The poll was for submissions of favorite campaign moments.
Don't know if this is still an active project or not, but I wasn't aware of any of this until now. What is it you are looking for? Post here to let me know.
Erik Waddell
Geoff
[note] I explained what was going on over private email
anyone?
I've found the entire (I hope) issue 2, if you still need it.
GP
I've found the entire (I hope) issue 2, if you still need it.
GP
Yes please Giampaolo, I would still appreciate that if you could send it along.
The update of the Vaults, should occurearly in the New Year. Although I have Internet access at my folks place it's slow dial-up and I don't want to upload lots of large files from here, although it's largely ready to go. I'll be back States-side shortly.
Yes please Giampaolo, I would still appreciate that if you could send it along.
Sent.
Sent.
cheers Giampaolo, I got that ... although it wasn't complete.
In between this, and Geoff's PDF files, which also wasn't complete, I can now recreate the whole of Volume 2 of the Tome. The following are files which I got from the PDF files, but because they're all images I don't know if they're the original quality as intended by the creators. So if anyone happens to have these as originals it would be appreciated, although the files themselves look OK in quality.
abstract_in_darkness.jpg
dragon.jpg
duel.jpg
farie.jpg
monks.jpg
moor.jpg
shield.jpg
All of this does raise an interesting question however. Even with the Wayback Archive it has proven quite difficult to recreate this issue of the Tome. A lot of people didn't have the files, I couldn't even find Thibault's maps from this issue on his website. I don't know if we really want or need to care about this issue about the potential transitory nature of this information on the Internet, but I just thought it was an interesting thing to point out.
farie.jpg
oops sorry, this file is actually not of good quality - I hadn't noticed before.
I'll have to go with what I've got at the moment. Unless someone has Tim's current contact. He might have all these pictures even.
oh, there's also a file called horn.gif from the base images folder of the Tome website which I'm also missing. I hadn't noticed that one before.
Giampaolo has come through with this file.
I don't know if we really want or need to care about this issue about the potential transitory nature of this information on the Internet, but I just thought it was an interesting thing to point out.
I started caring after the whole Thyatis Character Reference website was swallowed by geocities, and we didn't have a full copy of it... nowadays, I tend to do local mirrors of my favored Mystaran websites (GPD, Vaults, Paparazzi Glantri, etc.) on a regular basis.
I started caring after the whole Thyatis Character Reference website was swallowed by geocities, and we didn't have a full copy of it... nowadays, I tend to do local mirrors of my favored Mystaran websites (GPD, Vaults, Paparazzi Glantri, etc.) on a regular basis.
Indeed! My biggest nightmare is that something will happen to Shawn and that we one day will wake up to a world without the Vaults.
Havard
Indeed! My biggest nightmare is that something will happen to Shawn and that we one day will wake up to a world without the Vaults.
Not that I'm condoning anything like a self-fulfilling prophecies (knock on wood, Shawn), but there's plenty of people who have downloaded the Vaults in it's entirity, so we have plenty of mirrors.
Roger
James Ruhland has given his blessing to make his work available.
Geoff
Hello all,
James Ruhland has given his blessing to make his work available.
Geoff
And the documents are now available at http://pandius.com/tome
Vern
Yeah, pdf versions would be nice.
Havard
any chance of getting these in PDF? it is a lot easier on me
Vern
With these sort of things being hosted on the Vaults I've pretty much decided to host them as they were rather than change things. Thus far I've changed things, like removing or fixing links on pages which didn't work anymore, but I don't want to essential work on someone elses pages.
Also at the moment I approaching the limit of size for the Vaults, the next size up will cost more, which in and off itself is not a problem, but I'd rather hold off from paying more money until I have to.