Thing 10: Creative Commons

I have to admit that even watching the videos, I was rather skeptical about Creative Commons.  It has to do with knowing whether something has been posted through CC or whether it was just thrown on the internet haphazardly and made public domain.

Granted, I can see how useful it could be for research... nothing is more frustrating than being a student looking up information and finding that you have to buy articles or subscriptions in order to get that one essay that may have that one piece of information that you need.  Academic Creative Commons could be really useful.  It would also be a great way to get research out there and shared with people - with your name on it.

My biggest concern is keeping your name on it, I guess.  I know that it is so easy to google image search something, copy it, put it in a power point, and forget to mention who made it - or maybe you don't know.  Or maybe you don't care.  There are a lot of opportunities for abuse of such sharing... though that said, I suppose it makes it safe than just posting it in a blog or putting up on the internet is...

Okay, after exploring their website, and searching for material that falls under CC, I can understand using it a little more.  It isn't just a CC stamp, it gives the information that the material should be attributed to with the image, music, whatever.  I think if the other alternative is just posting it on the internet somewhere where it is not necessarily protected, this is far better.  Also, if others use your work a lot, then your name gets out there and you get recognized... so in a way it is like putting links to websites you like - helping to promote them through your social network when you use CC material.  Huh. 

I feel research, images, etc. would be best for this.  Music.  I wouldn't want to put out personal essays - like anything I'm writing for my essay class.  Those are far more personal - and publishable - and changing them could alter the pace, voice, purpose, style etc. of the piece.  Definitely wouldn't want that.  But photos would be okay - though if it was being put elsewhere on the internet, I would like to know where, I think...