Chapter Two - The TOS and what it means to you
Okay, this is probably THE most important part of anything anyone that develops for IMVU should know, heck just as a consumer you should know this. Yet, as with all things we need to know in life, it isn't always cut and dry so I am going to try to help make the TOS as clear as possible for you.
First off, what is a TOS? Well, what it stands for is Terms Of Service but basically it is a list of what and what not to do for you as a person to be able to use and be on this website. Now, before any starts, first thing I have to say is that freedom of speech and the first amendment do NOT exist on the internet or here on IMVU. Now, that does not mean this place is a dictatorship but there are some pretty basic things we need to follow to keep everyone happy go lucky.
So pull up a chair and let me guide you through the wonderful world of the IMVU TOS! It’s going to be an exciting ride!
Are you 13? Hrm, you haven’t hit 13 yet? Stop right there, go get your parents! Sorry kids but this is a must. You must have your parents contact IMVU for you to even be here. Now, okay, are you between the ages of 13 and 18? Grab the parents again, they need to read this as well so if something happens to you while you are part of IMVU the proper channels can be followed to make you as safe as possible. I’m not saying this to be a stick in the mud, just so that you don’t end up with some 40 year old stalking you. Now if you are 18 or over, you don’t have to get your parents but if you want to feel free. Hey, its nothing to be ashamed of, I still going crying to mommy from time to time and I’m in my twenties. Make fun of me later or I won’t finish this guide.
Okay now that we are passed that part and you are done snickering at me for crying to mommy we can move on to the grit of the TOS. I am not going to break it down line by line, I am going to go over the most important parts but it your job as a developer and a consumer to make sure you read it all. Yeah I know... boooooring! But hey so was your drivers test book, still had to read it. (Bite your tongue if you didn’t read yours, you know what I mean so shh)
“Okay, I'm a developer, great, let’s get started, I’ll just grab some images from the net and make some stickers,” you think to yourself, quick way to get started. The sirens go off and all the sudden there are people dressed in black at your front door pinning you to a wall and calling you a thief and here you thought it was okay, everyone else does it right? Oooo, didn’t your momma ever tell ya just because everyone else jumps off a bridge doesn’t mean you have to either.
Well maybe not that dramatic but you get the picture. You broke the law and thought it was okay because everyone else does it. Well, sorry, it isn’t and it can get you into big trouble. Not only can your items be taken out of the catalog, you can lose you developing account, get banned from IMVU or even sued, yes sued, doesn’t matter what country you are in, how old you are, nothing. So, what can you use?
Well, safest thing is to created everything from scratch yourself. Then you own it. But that isn’t always the case so if you must take something off the net, here are a few things you should know.
Trademarks - Okay, basically this is anything that can be used as a logo or image for a company to break it down into its most basic terms. Now, there is a lot more to it but for a few examples, the Coca-Cola symbol, anything by Disney, Logo’s for sports teams, Band names or images, Comic book characters, ect have trademarks on them. So, just stay away, they are like garlic to a vampire, hissssssss, bad, icky, run run run from the trademark! They are scary!
Copyrights - These are a bit more complicated. See, many things in this world have a copyright on them even if they are not registered. Any photograph taken, any piece of art created, any website graphic, ect usually has a copy right attached to it somewhere at sometime. So instead of trying to tell you everything you cannot use with a copy right I will tell you what you can use as a copy right when it comes to developing the list is a heck of a lot shorter.
Okay, let’s pick a website ~spins the magic turn table she has at her desk~ >.> Hey, it’s my imagination I can have anything I want on my desk. Okay, it lands on...Deviant Art! Yup this is a big one where stuff gets ripped from. Okay, let’s see. www.deviantart.com - cool, there, oooh millions of images, this should be a great place to get stuff. Browse, resources, stock images. They say stock so I am free and clear right? I can use them for anything right? Wrong! Hrm, most stock images have this little note that says - please read my journal for terms of use. Okay, flips to journal - “Cannot be used for commercial purposes.” Well heck, I can make real money on IMVU, so I can’t use that one.“ Search again, and again, and again, well this isn’t as easy as you thought is it? You found one out of 100 textures, brushes or stock images that actually have a note that they can be used for any purpose anytime any where. Most have notes that say not commercially or only on DA.
Okay well maybe you should try another site? Same thing, unless there is a note on the site you go to from the creator going you can use these commercial for anything, pretty much stay away. Now, if you want you can buy textures from places, same with music that is royalty free. Comes down to reading the bottom line and if you ever wonder - Can I use this? Chances are you can’t. If you really want to use it and are not 100% sure, email or get in contact with the creator and ask them. You would be surprised how many times just because you took the time to ask they will go okay and if they don’t at least you don’t have to worry about it biting you in the butt later on.
Restricted and Mature Content - Okay, sit down, we need have a talk about the birds and bees. No seriously, you thought your parents would give you this talk, well some chick that lives no where close to you is about to. Well not really but as far as the TOS goes you need to know at least some. Now they say go by the rule of PG-13 for stuff in general, R for restricted and NC-17 for Mature. That is and is not true. Good guide line but with most things it can go in the eye of beholder. This can be very tricky.
We will start with mature, if you have to be 18 to use it, it is shows a guy with his “forbidden” parts saluting you or a girl spread eagle, - NO! It is mature and IMVU really doesn’t want it in the catalog at all, so might as well not even submit it since chances are it will get removed and you will have a lot of angry people yelling at you. These can also be used for anything that promotes hate. This does not mean go flag happy on Pagans because you don’t like their pentagram. They have just as much right to be there as you have to have a cross. Deal with it.
For restricted it basically boils down to anything you would buy in a lingerie shop, a smoke shop, promotes drugs violence, ect. Anything you wouldn’t want your little brother, sister, child, ect. seeing, it really needs to go here. Now, if the items intent is not to promote these things and you just have a dirty mind, that isn’t the developers fault. To take an item for what it is and try not to get personal.
General, usually if you can see it on PBS it is cool. Yeah bikinis are okay, swim suits and a lot of lingerie but there are lines, you really need to make sure that anything you makes covers up all the “naughty” spots fully and then some. Sure you can get creative but do have some couth in this department, again if you ever wonder, ask.
“I hate so and so they are a &*#$#$#%)*#” ~smacks them upside the head~ Bad! No! ~hits them on the nose with a rolled up newspaper~ Never and I mean never flame a developer or IMVU user for any reason on the IMVU forum, on a home page or any other place on the net that is associated with IMVU. Not only will it get you banned but it is just totally uncool no matter what your problem is. Never bad mouth someone no matter what they have done. If they have stolen something from you, are stalking you, calling you names, ect. Report them to IMVU privately using your report button, file a DMCA take down or email the staff to see just what you should do. Bringing in front of the entire IMVU world just lowers you to their level.
To sum up some of what I have said so far, here is a quick quip from the TOS itself. Things not allowed on IMVU:
* Anything that exploits children or minors, or anything beyond a first name that reveals personally identifying information about anyone under the age of eighteen.
* Anything that spreads personal information about another individual (including libel, slander, defamation, harassment, or for any other mean-spirited or malicious purpose).
* Anything which may be considered to be grossly offensive to the online community, including but not limited to blatant expressions of bigotry, prejudice, racism, hatred and profanity (bad language).
* Anything that promotes or provides instructional information about illegal activities.
* Anything depicting cruelty to animals.
* Any copyrighted material that is used without the express permission of the owner.
* Any Trademarked logo that is used without the express permission of the owner.
Remember - No one from IMVU will ever ask you for your password, so do not EVER give it out! They don’t need it so anyone ever asks for it, report them! Anyone ever asks personal information, report them. You do it, you will get reported at one time, so just don’t do it!
Okay there is a bit more to the TOS than that but there are also some unspoken things that are not in it that you need to remember and some things in the TOS that are not always in the spot light.
If you are going to hold a contest to promote yourself or someone else, email IMVU to ask about it. Yeah, might seem a like a pain in the butt but as we have seen in the past it is always better to be safe than sorry. So just type up what you are wanting to do, why are you doing it and the details, send in a quick email, wait for a response, you get the okay, go for it, you get a no way, forget it. Don’t risk your account or developing status. It isn’t worth it.
“I got an image that I am able to use from the net, no copyright on it and someone else also is using it to make something,” - Really? Sorry but tough, if it is on the net, it is free to use anyone and their brother can use it for whatever they want. This happens on IMVU a lot but truthfully you just have to deal with it, price you pay for grabbing something off the net, even legally. No one is going to spend hours on end to sift through every last bit of the catalog to make sure something hasn’t been done or an image hasn’t been used. No one is totally unique and pretty much anything you see in the catalog was inspired by something else. Some people just tend to think more alike than others. Doesn’t mean they are stealing just means great minds think alike. Now yes some people will look at something, go oooh I like that and make their own version, it sucks but it happens. So just be careful out there, now if someone steals the stuff you placed in Previewer, your opac map or your icon image, file a DMCA and have IMVU take it down. Don’t message the person yelling at them, that never solves anything.
Okay now that doesn’t cover the WHOLE TOS but brings out things you REALLY REALLY need to know, make sure to read it all, yeah like I said it is boring but turn on your winamp, get a drink, sit back and read it, it could be the difference between your life an death as a developer. And again, if you have any questions - ASK BEFORE YOU DO!!!
Link to the TOS - http://www.imvu.com/catalog/web_info.php?section=Info&topic=terms_of_service
Read it, learn it, know it!
Okay, this is probably THE most important part of anything anyone that develops for IMVU should know, heck just as a consumer you should know this. Yet, as with all things we need to know in life, it isn't always cut and dry so I am going to try to help make the TOS as clear as possible for you.
First off, what is a TOS? Well, what it stands for is Terms Of Service but basically it is a list of what and what not to do for you as a person to be able to use and be on this website. Now, before any starts, first thing I have to say is that freedom of speech and the first amendment do NOT exist on the internet or here on IMVU. Now, that does not mean this place is a dictatorship but there are some pretty basic things we need to follow to keep everyone happy go lucky.
So pull up a chair and let me guide you through the wonderful world of the IMVU TOS! It’s going to be an exciting ride!
Are you 13? Hrm, you haven’t hit 13 yet? Stop right there, go get your parents! Sorry kids but this is a must. You must have your parents contact IMVU for you to even be here. Now, okay, are you between the ages of 13 and 18? Grab the parents again, they need to read this as well so if something happens to you while you are part of IMVU the proper channels can be followed to make you as safe as possible. I’m not saying this to be a stick in the mud, just so that you don’t end up with some 40 year old stalking you. Now if you are 18 or over, you don’t have to get your parents but if you want to feel free. Hey, its nothing to be ashamed of, I still going crying to mommy from time to time and I’m in my twenties. Make fun of me later or I won’t finish this guide.
Okay now that we are passed that part and you are done snickering at me for crying to mommy we can move on to the grit of the TOS. I am not going to break it down line by line, I am going to go over the most important parts but it your job as a developer and a consumer to make sure you read it all. Yeah I know... boooooring! But hey so was your drivers test book, still had to read it. (Bite your tongue if you didn’t read yours, you know what I mean so shh)
“Okay, I'm a developer, great, let’s get started, I’ll just grab some images from the net and make some stickers,” you think to yourself, quick way to get started. The sirens go off and all the sudden there are people dressed in black at your front door pinning you to a wall and calling you a thief and here you thought it was okay, everyone else does it right? Oooo, didn’t your momma ever tell ya just because everyone else jumps off a bridge doesn’t mean you have to either.
Well maybe not that dramatic but you get the picture. You broke the law and thought it was okay because everyone else does it. Well, sorry, it isn’t and it can get you into big trouble. Not only can your items be taken out of the catalog, you can lose you developing account, get banned from IMVU or even sued, yes sued, doesn’t matter what country you are in, how old you are, nothing. So, what can you use?
Well, safest thing is to created everything from scratch yourself. Then you own it. But that isn’t always the case so if you must take something off the net, here are a few things you should know.
Trademarks - Okay, basically this is anything that can be used as a logo or image for a company to break it down into its most basic terms. Now, there is a lot more to it but for a few examples, the Coca-Cola symbol, anything by Disney, Logo’s for sports teams, Band names or images, Comic book characters, ect have trademarks on them. So, just stay away, they are like garlic to a vampire, hissssssss, bad, icky, run run run from the trademark! They are scary!
Copyrights - These are a bit more complicated. See, many things in this world have a copyright on them even if they are not registered. Any photograph taken, any piece of art created, any website graphic, ect usually has a copy right attached to it somewhere at sometime. So instead of trying to tell you everything you cannot use with a copy right I will tell you what you can use as a copy right when it comes to developing the list is a heck of a lot shorter.
Okay, let’s pick a website ~spins the magic turn table she has at her desk~ >.> Hey, it’s my imagination I can have anything I want on my desk. Okay, it lands on...Deviant Art! Yup this is a big one where stuff gets ripped from. Okay, let’s see. www.deviantart.com - cool, there, oooh millions of images, this should be a great place to get stuff. Browse, resources, stock images. They say stock so I am free and clear right? I can use them for anything right? Wrong! Hrm, most stock images have this little note that says - please read my journal for terms of use. Okay, flips to journal - “Cannot be used for commercial purposes.” Well heck, I can make real money on IMVU, so I can’t use that one.“ Search again, and again, and again, well this isn’t as easy as you thought is it? You found one out of 100 textures, brushes or stock images that actually have a note that they can be used for any purpose anytime any where. Most have notes that say not commercially or only on DA.
Okay well maybe you should try another site? Same thing, unless there is a note on the site you go to from the creator going you can use these commercial for anything, pretty much stay away. Now, if you want you can buy textures from places, same with music that is royalty free. Comes down to reading the bottom line and if you ever wonder - Can I use this? Chances are you can’t. If you really want to use it and are not 100% sure, email or get in contact with the creator and ask them. You would be surprised how many times just because you took the time to ask they will go okay and if they don’t at least you don’t have to worry about it biting you in the butt later on.
Restricted and Mature Content - Okay, sit down, we need have a talk about the birds and bees. No seriously, you thought your parents would give you this talk, well some chick that lives no where close to you is about to. Well not really but as far as the TOS goes you need to know at least some. Now they say go by the rule of PG-13 for stuff in general, R for restricted and NC-17 for Mature. That is and is not true. Good guide line but with most things it can go in the eye of beholder. This can be very tricky.
We will start with mature, if you have to be 18 to use it, it is shows a guy with his “forbidden” parts saluting you or a girl spread eagle, - NO! It is mature and IMVU really doesn’t want it in the catalog at all, so might as well not even submit it since chances are it will get removed and you will have a lot of angry people yelling at you. These can also be used for anything that promotes hate. This does not mean go flag happy on Pagans because you don’t like their pentagram. They have just as much right to be there as you have to have a cross. Deal with it.
For restricted it basically boils down to anything you would buy in a lingerie shop, a smoke shop, promotes drugs violence, ect. Anything you wouldn’t want your little brother, sister, child, ect. seeing, it really needs to go here. Now, if the items intent is not to promote these things and you just have a dirty mind, that isn’t the developers fault. To take an item for what it is and try not to get personal.
General, usually if you can see it on PBS it is cool. Yeah bikinis are okay, swim suits and a lot of lingerie but there are lines, you really need to make sure that anything you makes covers up all the “naughty” spots fully and then some. Sure you can get creative but do have some couth in this department, again if you ever wonder, ask.
“I hate so and so they are a &*#$#$#%)*#” ~smacks them upside the head~ Bad! No! ~hits them on the nose with a rolled up newspaper~ Never and I mean never flame a developer or IMVU user for any reason on the IMVU forum, on a home page or any other place on the net that is associated with IMVU. Not only will it get you banned but it is just totally uncool no matter what your problem is. Never bad mouth someone no matter what they have done. If they have stolen something from you, are stalking you, calling you names, ect. Report them to IMVU privately using your report button, file a DMCA take down or email the staff to see just what you should do. Bringing in front of the entire IMVU world just lowers you to their level.
To sum up some of what I have said so far, here is a quick quip from the TOS itself. Things not allowed on IMVU:
* Anything that exploits children or minors, or anything beyond a first name that reveals personally identifying information about anyone under the age of eighteen.
* Anything that spreads personal information about another individual (including libel, slander, defamation, harassment, or for any other mean-spirited or malicious purpose).
* Anything which may be considered to be grossly offensive to the online community, including but not limited to blatant expressions of bigotry, prejudice, racism, hatred and profanity (bad language).
* Anything that promotes or provides instructional information about illegal activities.
* Anything depicting cruelty to animals.
* Any copyrighted material that is used without the express permission of the owner.
* Any Trademarked logo that is used without the express permission of the owner.
Remember - No one from IMVU will ever ask you for your password, so do not EVER give it out! They don’t need it so anyone ever asks for it, report them! Anyone ever asks personal information, report them. You do it, you will get reported at one time, so just don’t do it!
Okay there is a bit more to the TOS than that but there are also some unspoken things that are not in it that you need to remember and some things in the TOS that are not always in the spot light.
If you are going to hold a contest to promote yourself or someone else, email IMVU to ask about it. Yeah, might seem a like a pain in the butt but as we have seen in the past it is always better to be safe than sorry. So just type up what you are wanting to do, why are you doing it and the details, send in a quick email, wait for a response, you get the okay, go for it, you get a no way, forget it. Don’t risk your account or developing status. It isn’t worth it.
“I got an image that I am able to use from the net, no copyright on it and someone else also is using it to make something,” - Really? Sorry but tough, if it is on the net, it is free to use anyone and their brother can use it for whatever they want. This happens on IMVU a lot but truthfully you just have to deal with it, price you pay for grabbing something off the net, even legally. No one is going to spend hours on end to sift through every last bit of the catalog to make sure something hasn’t been done or an image hasn’t been used. No one is totally unique and pretty much anything you see in the catalog was inspired by something else. Some people just tend to think more alike than others. Doesn’t mean they are stealing just means great minds think alike. Now yes some people will look at something, go oooh I like that and make their own version, it sucks but it happens. So just be careful out there, now if someone steals the stuff you placed in Previewer, your opac map or your icon image, file a DMCA and have IMVU take it down. Don’t message the person yelling at them, that never solves anything.
Okay now that doesn’t cover the WHOLE TOS but brings out things you REALLY REALLY need to know, make sure to read it all, yeah like I said it is boring but turn on your winamp, get a drink, sit back and read it, it could be the difference between your life an death as a developer. And again, if you have any questions - ASK BEFORE YOU DO!!!
Link to the TOS - http://www.imvu.com/catalog/web_info.php?section=Info&topic=terms_of_service
Read it, learn it, know it!
Chapter 3 - Developer Ethics, Help and Attitude
Now this is part of the developing world that really isn’t discussed anywhere but it should be. Why? Cause with any business, your ethics, your attitude and your willingness to help out your customers, staff and find help for yourself will affect your profits. And yes, this is a business. Even if you only do this as a hobby you are still expecting to pull at least some type of profits, even if only to be able to submit more items.
Ethics - Just what are ethics? Well there are a lot of ways to describe ethics but best way I can think of to tell you what ethics is as far as developing goes is this- a code of your professional standards based on morals and right and wrong. Now, sadly this is not a cut and dry thing, everyone’s morals, their idea’s of right and wrong, what should and should not be done and their personal standards are all going to vary. Usually a great deal. One persons idea is going to totally differ from another. This is why Ethics in any part of life can be a tricky thing. So we will try to keep this as general as possible though I doubt anything is really as simple as it seems.
As far as what you can and cannot make ethically, I am not touching that with a ten foot pool. Why? Simple, everyone’s opinion is going to differ. Trying to figure out what is ethically right to have in the catalog and what is not is as volatile a topic on IMVU as religion or politics. With that you will need to use your own discretion. Best I can tell you if it doesn’t feel right to do, don’t do it.
You are going to run into a lot in the developing world that you are not going to agree with, you will see many topics that will make your blood boil at times and even more that just make you want to hit someone. If you can form a rational debate again what is going on or what is post without cursing, belittling or being a down right little toad about the situation, then yes, discuss it with the person or persons you have a problem with. Now, if all you are going to do is flame away, then, something’s are just better left unsaid. Now I am going to try to cover a few things in the ethics department and pray I don’t get burned at the stake for it later.
1) Stealing - Unethical on any level, don’t do it, period. Simple as that.
2) Belittling Others - Unethical, don’t do it.
3) False Advertising - Unethical, don’t do it. Hrm, how can you false advertise on IMVU? Using preview images that have been doctored, re-colored and changed to fix, cover or hide problems with the item itself is just one example.
4) Bribing - Unethical. There is a difference between promotion, advertising and bribing. It is a fine line though - if ever in doubt, email the staff and ask their permission to go through with what you want to. Better safe than sorry.
5) Double Standards - Unethical. This basically means don’t go around doing something and then lash out at someone because they did the same thing. This is a double standard. Mommy! Timmy is climbing the tree in the park, he can’t do that! But Timmy you climb the tree all the time. Well I can climb it, he cant! - Sorry doesn’t work that way.
6) Broken Promises - In other words don’t say you are going to pay the winner of a contest X amount and then never shell out the dough. Don’t say you will sponsor someone and then don’t. Don’t enter a contest to get developing support and then go shopping.
Is that it? Heck no. As with anything there is always more to it but this should be a good start for you to take note of and as you grow as a developer you will learn more, see more, pull out your hair more, ect. This is just a jumping off point.
Now, let’s dive into the help topic.
“Hey I’m new to developing, help me!”
~groans~ Please, for the love of developing, don’t post something like this. If you have, please, never do again. Why? Is there a problem asking for help? Nope, not one bit. It was how you asked and what you asked, or better yet, lack of what you asked.
See everyone starts out developing at a different level so if you just make a post or message someone screaming help, they can’t help you because they don’t know what your individual needs are. So before you ever start asking questions, read through pinned topics, tutorials, ect. I know, a lot to read, a lot to let sink in and it is all very confusing at times but truthfully that is where you have to begin. It pays off in the run.
“Hi, I just started developing but I seem to be having a problem, I cannot make my textures look real, they look terrible, any thing I can do to help me create a better looking texture? My buttons look flat, me seams look just to plain and I cannot seem to get how to make the folds of the fabric look decent. I am using Photoshop CS2, are there any tips that some developers would be willing to share with me or perhaps a link to a tutorial that I may have over looked?”
Now that is a question I can really sink my teeth into. Why? They say they are new to developing, that lets the rest of us developers know their knowledge is limited. It lets us know exactly what their issue is, they are being polite about it and to top it off they tell us what program they are using to make their fabric. This is very important! Not all developers know all programs, so you will get answers from people that use your program primarily and in the end be able to learn and understand faster.
“I don‘t like reading tutorials, can someone just tell me what to do and what to make?” - Oh please, please, please. Don’t ask this one. You will probably get a lot of rude comments in return, including from myself and I am probably one of the calmer ones on the forum. Why shouldn’t you ask this? Simple, in that one sentence alone you tell us that you won’t read tutorials and there for are cutting off a good part of what it takes to learn developing.
“I have problems following the tutorials, some things are not making sense to me and I am getting frustrated. Is there another way I could learn?” - Oh I love you! You admit you have problems but also that you are reading the tutorials! Welcome my fellow dev! This simple question is a door opener. There are many ways to learn developing and yes some devs will help you a time or two with holding your hand to get you off the ground but if you come off as a snot nosed spoiled brat you can bet even the nicest of us will slam a door in your face.
Where can you find help?
Well there are tons of places - the stickied topics in the forum are a great place to start. Also, check out the following avatars home pages for links to other websites they have that have tutorials on them. This is not an all inclusive list but will help you get off the ground.
Mayu22
Keef
Afina
KittenKat
WaltzingMouse
Now there are tons more and please, feel free to add in more - just names that have links on their home pages please. But these five all have links on their home pages they will take you to their personal websites or forums that have a lot of tutorials on them, mapping templates, ect.
“I asked a question but no one responded, you little %*)^&%)(#&%#((@&$(&!!!!” ~takes out the rolled up newspaper and hits you on the nose once again~ bad developer! Time out time! Act like a child and you will be treated like one. Never ever post something even close to this anywhere. You have to remember that not everyone is around all the time, not everyone is free to answer questions and most of us do not have the time to even respond with a - I am to busy to help right now, hit me up later. Be patient, it is a virtue.
Can I help others? Sure thing!!! What do you think I am trying to do with this? What do you think I spend most of IMVU time doing now? That’s right helping the other developers. It is great to see developers get into the middle of helping and pass on what they have picked up from others. So yes, help away, if you ever wonder if you should or should not help, ask. I may take a while to respond but I tend to eventually and there are many other people out there that love to help as well!
Attitude
Now, repeat after me - Do unto others as I would have them do unto me.
Very good! Attitude is key in developing. Remember if you do around bad mouthing people, whining, complaining and being an all around dip about things, no one is going to want to buy form you and trust me what is said in the developer forums and elsewhere does make it into the client. IMVU is gossip central, everything you say will eventually get back to everyone else and there goes your reputation.
I am not saying you have to be the Golden Child, just have some respect for others, some patience and a bit of courtesy and you will go far. Start trash talking and acting like you have 24 hour PMS and your days are only going to get worse. We all have off days, I have had them myself, heck I have even blown up at people. We all do but you cannot make it your life’s goal on IMVU to go around and seeing how many people you can tick off. Well you can but don’t expect your sales to be high. Many people black list people because of attitude, I am one of them and there are hundreds of others that will not buy from someone because of attitude alone. Trust me you do not want to be black listed if you want to make a decent profit around here.
Treat your fellow developers with respect and decency, treat your customers well and you will go far.
Now this is part of the developing world that really isn’t discussed anywhere but it should be. Why? Cause with any business, your ethics, your attitude and your willingness to help out your customers, staff and find help for yourself will affect your profits. And yes, this is a business. Even if you only do this as a hobby you are still expecting to pull at least some type of profits, even if only to be able to submit more items.
Ethics - Just what are ethics? Well there are a lot of ways to describe ethics but best way I can think of to tell you what ethics is as far as developing goes is this- a code of your professional standards based on morals and right and wrong. Now, sadly this is not a cut and dry thing, everyone’s morals, their idea’s of right and wrong, what should and should not be done and their personal standards are all going to vary. Usually a great deal. One persons idea is going to totally differ from another. This is why Ethics in any part of life can be a tricky thing. So we will try to keep this as general as possible though I doubt anything is really as simple as it seems.
As far as what you can and cannot make ethically, I am not touching that with a ten foot pool. Why? Simple, everyone’s opinion is going to differ. Trying to figure out what is ethically right to have in the catalog and what is not is as volatile a topic on IMVU as religion or politics. With that you will need to use your own discretion. Best I can tell you if it doesn’t feel right to do, don’t do it.
You are going to run into a lot in the developing world that you are not going to agree with, you will see many topics that will make your blood boil at times and even more that just make you want to hit someone. If you can form a rational debate again what is going on or what is post without cursing, belittling or being a down right little toad about the situation, then yes, discuss it with the person or persons you have a problem with. Now, if all you are going to do is flame away, then, something’s are just better left unsaid. Now I am going to try to cover a few things in the ethics department and pray I don’t get burned at the stake for it later.
1) Stealing - Unethical on any level, don’t do it, period. Simple as that.
2) Belittling Others - Unethical, don’t do it.
3) False Advertising - Unethical, don’t do it. Hrm, how can you false advertise on IMVU? Using preview images that have been doctored, re-colored and changed to fix, cover or hide problems with the item itself is just one example.
4) Bribing - Unethical. There is a difference between promotion, advertising and bribing. It is a fine line though - if ever in doubt, email the staff and ask their permission to go through with what you want to. Better safe than sorry.
5) Double Standards - Unethical. This basically means don’t go around doing something and then lash out at someone because they did the same thing. This is a double standard. Mommy! Timmy is climbing the tree in the park, he can’t do that! But Timmy you climb the tree all the time. Well I can climb it, he cant! - Sorry doesn’t work that way.
6) Broken Promises - In other words don’t say you are going to pay the winner of a contest X amount and then never shell out the dough. Don’t say you will sponsor someone and then don’t. Don’t enter a contest to get developing support and then go shopping.
Is that it? Heck no. As with anything there is always more to it but this should be a good start for you to take note of and as you grow as a developer you will learn more, see more, pull out your hair more, ect. This is just a jumping off point.
Now, let’s dive into the help topic.
“Hey I’m new to developing, help me!”
~groans~ Please, for the love of developing, don’t post something like this. If you have, please, never do again. Why? Is there a problem asking for help? Nope, not one bit. It was how you asked and what you asked, or better yet, lack of what you asked.
See everyone starts out developing at a different level so if you just make a post or message someone screaming help, they can’t help you because they don’t know what your individual needs are. So before you ever start asking questions, read through pinned topics, tutorials, ect. I know, a lot to read, a lot to let sink in and it is all very confusing at times but truthfully that is where you have to begin. It pays off in the run.
“Hi, I just started developing but I seem to be having a problem, I cannot make my textures look real, they look terrible, any thing I can do to help me create a better looking texture? My buttons look flat, me seams look just to plain and I cannot seem to get how to make the folds of the fabric look decent. I am using Photoshop CS2, are there any tips that some developers would be willing to share with me or perhaps a link to a tutorial that I may have over looked?”
Now that is a question I can really sink my teeth into. Why? They say they are new to developing, that lets the rest of us developers know their knowledge is limited. It lets us know exactly what their issue is, they are being polite about it and to top it off they tell us what program they are using to make their fabric. This is very important! Not all developers know all programs, so you will get answers from people that use your program primarily and in the end be able to learn and understand faster.
“I don‘t like reading tutorials, can someone just tell me what to do and what to make?” - Oh please, please, please. Don’t ask this one. You will probably get a lot of rude comments in return, including from myself and I am probably one of the calmer ones on the forum. Why shouldn’t you ask this? Simple, in that one sentence alone you tell us that you won’t read tutorials and there for are cutting off a good part of what it takes to learn developing.
“I have problems following the tutorials, some things are not making sense to me and I am getting frustrated. Is there another way I could learn?” - Oh I love you! You admit you have problems but also that you are reading the tutorials! Welcome my fellow dev! This simple question is a door opener. There are many ways to learn developing and yes some devs will help you a time or two with holding your hand to get you off the ground but if you come off as a snot nosed spoiled brat you can bet even the nicest of us will slam a door in your face.
Where can you find help?
Well there are tons of places - the stickied topics in the forum are a great place to start. Also, check out the following avatars home pages for links to other websites they have that have tutorials on them. This is not an all inclusive list but will help you get off the ground.
Mayu22
Keef
Afina
KittenKat
WaltzingMouse
Now there are tons more and please, feel free to add in more - just names that have links on their home pages please. But these five all have links on their home pages they will take you to their personal websites or forums that have a lot of tutorials on them, mapping templates, ect.
“I asked a question but no one responded, you little %*)^&%)(#&%#((@&$(&!!!!” ~takes out the rolled up newspaper and hits you on the nose once again~ bad developer! Time out time! Act like a child and you will be treated like one. Never ever post something even close to this anywhere. You have to remember that not everyone is around all the time, not everyone is free to answer questions and most of us do not have the time to even respond with a - I am to busy to help right now, hit me up later. Be patient, it is a virtue.
Can I help others? Sure thing!!! What do you think I am trying to do with this? What do you think I spend most of IMVU time doing now? That’s right helping the other developers. It is great to see developers get into the middle of helping and pass on what they have picked up from others. So yes, help away, if you ever wonder if you should or should not help, ask. I may take a while to respond but I tend to eventually and there are many other people out there that love to help as well!
Attitude
Now, repeat after me - Do unto others as I would have them do unto me.
Very good! Attitude is key in developing. Remember if you do around bad mouthing people, whining, complaining and being an all around dip about things, no one is going to want to buy form you and trust me what is said in the developer forums and elsewhere does make it into the client. IMVU is gossip central, everything you say will eventually get back to everyone else and there goes your reputation.
I am not saying you have to be the Golden Child, just have some respect for others, some patience and a bit of courtesy and you will go far. Start trash talking and acting like you have 24 hour PMS and your days are only going to get worse. We all have off days, I have had them myself, heck I have even blown up at people. We all do but you cannot make it your life’s goal on IMVU to go around and seeing how many people you can tick off. Well you can but don’t expect your sales to be high. Many people black list people because of attitude, I am one of them and there are hundreds of others that will not buy from someone because of attitude alone. Trust me you do not want to be black listed if you want to make a decent profit around here.
Treat your fellow developers with respect and decency, treat your customers well and you will go far.
