We have recently modified the HomeschoolBlogger.com Terms of Use.  Every time you log into your HSB account, or post an entry on your blog, you are agreeing to abide by the Terms of Use, as in force at the time you created your account and as subsequently modified.  We are posting the modification here so that everyone can see and be aware of this recent change.  The new paragraph reads as follows:

5.1        No Mirroring.  Use of Website to “mirror” another website, including without limitation another blog, or to point, direct, refer or channel readers from Website to another website or blog, whether or not owned or operated by the User, is expressly forbidden by these Terms of Use and grounds for immediate cancellation of both the violating Blog and the User’s personal account.  Users may not create or use Website, User Accounts or Blogs for purposes of advertising, promoting, or directing readers, other users or third parties to websites or blogs hosted, posted or operated by the User at URLs which are not part of HomeschoolBlogger.  This paragraph shall not apply to standard sidebar links or internal links and references contained in articles and blog entries posted by Users for purposes of referencing individual websites or blogs owned and operated by third parties other than the linking User, and is intended specifically to prevent Users from creating Blogs on Website for purposes of promoting or directing traffic to those Users’ other, independent blogs and websites.

Although the Terms of Use have always prohibited use of HSB blogs to advertise or direct traffic to other websites, we wanted to add more specific language to make it very clear that you cannot use a HSB blog to mirror or direct traffic to a website that you write, host or maintain on an independent website separate from HSB.

This does not mean we want you to stop linking to other blogs, or talking about their content.  On the contrary, that's one of the best features of blogging! This language is only applicable to people who "post" a blog on HSB but use it to redirect traffic to their other blog or website hosted somewhere else.  HSB was designed to provide a community for people who want to blog here, not a way for outside bloggers to try and pull you away from the community.  You can - and should - still feel free to link to and discuss any outside blog you wish, as long as you're not just using HSB for purposes of promoting your own outside website.

A Clarification on the Modified Terms of Use

We have received some questions about the recent modification of the terms of use, and have asked our company lawyer to clarify the legalese to help clear up any confusion.  Here is her response:

The modification definitely permits people to put up sidebar-style links to outside websites and blogs, even websites and blogs they own.  They can also have clickable buttons or graphic links in the sidebars, headers and elsewhere as part of their design elements.  They can link to articles they wrote that are published elsewhere on the Internet, and to other websites they own and operate.  What they cannot do is link, repost and point to other websites in any of the following manners:

1.  Copying all of the content to or from an outside website, so that the HSB blog is merely a mirror-image or close copy of the other website.

2.  Using any program which redirects visitors from the HSB site to an offsite website or blog, either automatically or by using a "click here to go to my [real] blog."

3.  Using a HSB blog primarily or mostly for the purpose of promoting an outside website or blog.  For example, posting the first paragraph of an entry at HSB, with a link that says "see the rest at my other blog..." or otherwise using the HSB blog as a "teaser" to direct people off the HSB site.

HSB does not care whether people have other blogs or websites - in fact, HSB and its parent company, The Old Schoolhouse Magazine, LLC ("TOS") promote freedom of speech and the wide variety of speech available on the Internet.  TOS and HSB also recognize that bloggers may want to have multiple blogs, in part because some content and speech are not appropriate for the family-friendly environment at HSB, and TOS and HSB respect and appreciate the maturity and consideration involved in such decisions.  It is perfectly acceptable to link to outside websites (even websites owned and operated by the blogger writing the blog), either as a permanent sidebar link or as a permalink in a blog post, so long as the linking and reference to the other website does not become a primary reason for the existence of the HSB blog.

The modifications were created to clarify HSB's position that using the free blog and server space offered at HSB for purposes of promoting an outside blog or website is a violation of the terms of use.  They were directed at a very small percentage of the blogging accounts, and are not intended to punish or restrict the activities of people operating legitimate HSB blogs for purposes of participating in the HSB community and the larger blogging community as a whole.

I hope this clarifies the situation, and puts the minds of legitimate HSB bloggers to rest.

Tia Linschied
Senior Editor of HSB

If you used the HSB rocking chair default avatar, you have no doubt discovered that rocking chair has been replaced by a. . .ah. . .what is that little green thing anyway?

A lizard? Perhaps a newt? Nah, that's Splish! Remember our happy little frog from the TOS Summer Reading Splash program? Well, now he's the main character in a new book about to be realeased! We're very excited about, "And Then Mama Said. . .It Takes Time to Learn to Read," because it's a truly wonderful story written by Gena Suarez and illustrated by Kevin Scott Collier! As soon as the book is available we'll let you know, but we thought we'd help spread the word and get you wondering just what this little frog is all about. 

Remember, Splish is just the default avatar. You have the option of changing him to something different if you like. We love this little frog and we felt like rearranging the furniture; so off with the rocking chair and on with Splish! If you don't care to have froggie furnishings, you can most definitely put him aside and replace him with something more to your taste. Maybe to a statuette of a cow in rain gear?

Tia Linschied
Senior Editor of HSB

Are you looking for a little extra money and a chance to work from home?

We are looking for someone who knows HSB inside and out and would be good with helping fellow bloggers with their HSB technical needs. This is a part-time job and pays $200 a month.

If you are interested, send an email with the words, HSB Tech, in the subject line.

Tia Linschied
Senior Editor of HSB

• Violation of the Terms of Use
• The blogger has clearly stated that they are blogging elsewhere
• The blogger has asked us to delete their blog
• The blog has been abandoned

We do not have to give notice before deleting a blog, which is clearly stated in the Terms of Use that every blogger has agreed to in order to start their free blog at HSB. This is not unique to just HomeschoolBlogger. Other blog providers usually note in their Terms of Use that they do not have to give notice as well. (The only exception I am aware of at this time is of blogs that are paying the provider for space.)

  By Susan L. Spann 

A baby polar bear cuddles in his mother’s paws.  Glaciers calve into the icy sea with a mighty crash of spray.  Racecars speed down the track, their images dramatically blurred by the camera’s shutter. 

These photographs, and many more, grace the ‘pages’ of the Internet, turning the electronic world into a kaleidoscope of fantastic images.  Through the magic of technology, many of these photos can be cut and pasted with the click of a mouse – a click which all too often proves as illegal as it was easy. 

Copyright law applies to images and artwork as well as words.  Just as the law prohibits you from taking someone else’s article and reprinting it without permission, displaying someone else’s photograph or artwork on your website, blog or Internet space without a proper license constitutes illegal copyright infringement.  It doesn’t matter whether a copyright notice appears on the website displaying the image, or whether the image is “watermarked” to prevent copying.  Copyright attaches to photographs and artwork at the moment of creation, and reproduction or use without proper authorization or “license” is against the law. 

“But the Internet is so big.  They’ll never catch me.  Besides, how much trouble can one little photograph cause?”  The answer: a lot.  Copyright infringement carries potential penalties and fines that can cost infringers thousands of dollars or more – regardless of the nature of the infringing use.  Intent isn’t an element of the law, so “I didn’t know” doesn’t provide a defense.  The only questions are: “Did you display the artwork,” and “Did you have a license or other legal right to do so.”  If the first answer is “yes” and the second one “no,” you’re liable, whether or not you intended to commit a crime. 

As far as “getting caught” – it happens far more often than you might think.  Large companies often employ professional searchers who scan the Internet looking for violating uses.  Independent photographers and artists perform their own searches or hire companies that contract use of their images and monitor compliance across the World Wide Web.  Don’t make the mistake of believing, “I’m too small to get caught.”  That kind of thinking violates both Biblical and Copyright law – neither of which takes kindly to deliberate transgression. 

How do you stay safe?  Follow the same rules you use when dealing with printed materials, but keeping in mind that there is no “excerpt” when it comes to photographs and other art.  When you use the image, you use the entire work.  

Before pasting an image onto your website or blog, make sure you have the legal right to display it.  Did you find the image on a website containing an “open source” or “public domain” license that specifically permits your desired use?  Remember to accept licenses from the copyright holder or image owner only.  If you’re not positive the permission is good, send the webmaster or page owner an e-mail to make sure.  If the website has no license terms, you can also contact the owner or copyright holder and ask for permission to display the image.  Unless the owner makes a living by licensing images, he or she may gladly consent to your use.  Remember to be polite, no matter what answer you receive. 

At the end of the day, no permission means no display.  If you can’t obtain a license for your intended use, then you can’t use the image.  Without permission, publication is violation, and no image is worth painting yourself into a legal corner.

Parents, please pay close attention to private messages received on your children's accounts.  You should read all messages your children receive via the Internet - whether or not received through HSB!

Last night one brave girl stepped forward to let us know that she and a friend were receiving inappropriate private messages.  When we learned the messages originated from a HSB blogger, we banned his account immediately.  Although the originating blog contained no inappropriate content, the blogger apparently used his blog address to prey on young girls via private messages.  We were shocked to find that these private messages have been sent out to several young girls and that a few of them had even responded to him.  This problem is not unique to HSB, and unfortunately there is no way for HSB (or any other service provider) to completely prevent predators from contacting minors who blog or use private messaging systems.  This is why each and every parent needs to take responsibility for knowing exactly what their children do, and who they talk to, on the Internet.

If you or your children receive any x-rated private messages, please e-mail HSB.  Copy and paste the entire private message (without editing, regardless of content) into the e-mail along with the blog URL of the blogger who sent it to you.  HSB needs this information to confirm which blog sent the message and to document the issue for purposes of banning the relevant account. 

Here are three links with more information on internet safety.

http://tcs.cybertipline.com/ 
http://tcs.cybertipline.com/knowthedangers8.htm 
http://www.missingkids.com/adcouncil/

Tia Linschied
Senior Editor of HSB

There aren’t many places on the internet that an entire family can enjoy.  Some websites are for adults, some are for children, and few are geared toward Christians.  This can make it difficult for a homeschool mom to browse the world wide web for resources when it is possible that her children could be looking over her shoulder at any moment.  Ads that display immodesty, text loudly declaring the wonders of selfish living, and links that take you who knows where have to be sifted through in order to get to the gold.

I have sat at my computer wearily wondering why there can’t be more websites minus all the garbage.  Then I unearthed HSB and I was very pleased to find that not only is it a blog community for parents and children to take part in, it is also a website relatively free of the debris of the world.  That doesn’t mean everyone will agree with every blog and parents should never let down their guard when it comes to the internet, but HSB does have family-friendly standards and guidelines that every blogger agrees to.

If you have logged into your blog account in the last couple of days then you will have already noticed the very large, new button right under your blog account name.  Create New Blog! 

Don't worry, clicking that button does not mean your current blog will be deleted.  Instead you can create a new blog and manage those blogs with your one account!  Start a photo blog, craft blog, political blog, or some other special interest blog.  It's up to you!

Get blogging!

Tia Linschied
Senior Editor of HSB

That's right, Spunky is back, temporarily, to give us a three part series about Mike Huckabee.  Part 1 has been posted over on Home Where They Belong and it proves to be very interesting.  Be sure to read all the comments too and leave a comment of your own! 

If you don't know who Spunky is, you are in for a real treat!  She's the lady with the views and she has done her research.  If you are at all politically minded you'll want to read Spunky's posts.

Tia Linschied
Senior Editor of HSB