Starting/writing a book, care guide, magazine, website, forum, group, newsletter, etc

[CavySpirit]

The story of how I came up with it is on this page:
http://www.guineapigcages.com/aboutus.htm

[Harrys Dad]

Let us know when you get the book done CavySpirit I for one would love to get one.

[lynn's Cavies]

Hi,
I just wanted to say that years ago when I was volunteering at the BC spca I saw their coroplast cages and thought wow, what an idea! I was wondering later on when I found your site if they had found the idea from you. It's neat that I was able to see firsthand where this all started.
Lynn

[guineapigluver1]

Originally Posted by Harrys Dad

Let us know when you get the book done CavySpirit I for one would love to get one.

Yeah, I'd love one to!

[Harrys Dad]

Originally Posted by guineapigluver1

Yeah, I'd love one to!

ok that is 2 orders are you done yet?

[crazywiggy]

Hi T,

I've just been going through some of these old threads and a few questions popped into my head. A couple of what might be really obvious random ones and one more specific....

1) At what point do you consider it a copyright / plagiarism issue?

Don't get me wrong, people pinching stuff like the veggies chart, or c+c cages, is almost certainly taken from here, and people soliciting here are obvious...

But at the same time I imagine there are many people who know a lot about piggies from their own experince and research. Would you object to them doing their own (accurate) info resources?

2) I was also wondering about one of the more recent posts about making you tube videos... sorry I can't remember the exact details or find the thread....

I think someone was talking about making a youtube vid showing happy, well cared for pigs. Not so much as a care guide, just counteracting some of the really awful ones so people could at least see the preferred alternative.

I think the original poster was asking if anyone had any footage they could use, and lots of people resonded that you had said you were against this form of "soliciting" on your site....
I don't remember you posting yourself, why would this type of thing be an issue? If it is not a specific care guide and is not generating a profit, what would be the problem with people here helping out?
Not that it affects me personally - I wouldn't have the first clue how to use youtube! Was just curious.

3) I am actually one of those people considering writing a book. I have started writing, but whether I will ever actually finish it and succeed in getting it published is another matter. To give a brief (for me) insight....

It is NOT a care guide of any sort.... the aim of the book is to get people thinking about animal welfare issues they never even knew existed. It's about pets in general and looks at a variety of issues, from housing and feeding to overpopulation and training methods.

I got the idea some time ago when I realised that most people who take poor care of their pets are hypocrites who will moan about farm, lab or circus animals but treat their pets no better without realising it.

The book is intended to get people to compare the lives of the animals they think are treated badly (eg circus or lab animals) with their own - to show them that maybe they're not doing as well as they thought. E.g. people complaining about the treatment of circus animals being beaten or poked with electric cattle prods but will hit their own dog and use a sock collar. Or the people who complain about the conditions of animals in labs - then keep their own pets in cages that are too small to be legal in a lab. It's that kind of stuff. Basically just writing down what was in my head to get people thinking and discussing these issues.

None of it is too specific - as I said it is not a care guide just an eye opener. I also hope to include a "useful contacts" section with the web address or contact details for places like here, the RSPCA, Association of Pet Behaviour Counsellors etc.

All the knowledge that the book is based on comes from a variety of sources.... years of research (books, websites etc), my own experience keeping and working with animals etc, plus what I have learned through college and various courses. Nothing is stolen from here, it is very generic - but would I still need to contact you to verify this before going ahead?

Sorry it was so long - I obviously need to get out more!

[guineapigluver1]

T is writing a book, so you needn't do so.

[Char-x]

Why not though, since their are hundreds - well more likely thousands - of books with poor advice surely the more books filled with good advice would be welcomed ?

[crazywiggy]

guineapigluver1

Was that comment aimed at me?

If so I'm afraid you obviously missed the whole point of my post.

T stated early on in this thread she is writing a guinea pig caging / care guide.

First of all, *I* plan on writing my OWN book about cages and some related care items.

And good luck to her - I think it is a great idea. T is definitely the best person to do so, and I would happily buy a copy myself and recommend it to others.

As T has spent many hours and dollars finding out everything she knows about piggies, it is completely understandable that she doesn't want someone else coming on here and taking credit for all her hard work. As she states:

I sure as heck don't need any newcomer stealing all the information that has cost me many hundreds of hours, and tens of thousands of dollars to compile for their cute little book, site, magazine whatever.

My point is...

I am NOT writing a book about guinea pigs.
I am NOT writing a book about c+c cages.
I am NOT writing a care guide - for piggies or any other species.

My book is a totally different concept to T's. It will not be in direct competition in any way. I am certainly not stealing info from this site, as my book does not contain any specific information on guinea pig caging or care.
(Heck I thought my post was long enough to make this obvious!?)

I really don't see how you can suggest that it would not be benefical to have a book that gets people to question everything from their pets diet, to whether their dog gets enough exercise, or whether their cat should be indoor / outdoor etc just because there is a good piggie book available?

The only reason I even mentioned my book here is for some confirmation that I am not going to be treading on any toes. I would much rather have the support from people like T than get into any sort of in-fighting. We are all trying to help animals in some way - so fighting amongst ourselves is counterproductive.

Char X:

I do agree with you here.... although I see both sides.

I do NOT think anyone should use info stolen from T to write their own care guide, because that is highly unfair on T.

However, at the moment people only have about a 1 in 100 chance of finding decent, accurate piggie info. By flooding the market (and the net etc) with GOOD care guides, people would have a much higher chance of getting it right. The result would be many more knowledgable owners, and fewer neglected piggies.

Hence I think it is fair enough if other piggie experts use their own research and experience to write an accurate care guide.

[PiggieMamaKelly]

I don't think there needs to be a large number of care guides to get the message across, but a large number of people directing others to a smaller set of really quality care guides.

[Char-x]

Originally Posted by crazywiggy

Char X:

I do agree with you here.... although I see both sides.

I do NOT think anyone should use info stolen from T to write their own care guide, because that is highly unfair on T.

However, at the moment people only have about a 1 in 100 chance of finding decent, accurate piggie info. By flooding the market (and the net etc) with GOOD care guides, people would have a much higher chance of getting it right. The result would be many more knowledgable owners, and fewer neglected piggies.

Hence I think it is fair enough if other piggie experts use their own research and experience to write an accurate care guide.

I agree, I think it would be slightly odd if people who wanted the best for cavies were to be against people who know what they are talking about spreading information anyways - not talking about copyright things though, just general information.

Sort of on topic but didn't rescues and places use Wire store cubes for cages before this site made it so well known? What exactly do you own with the copyright because apparently the idea has been used by some people for years and years, and places like this site made it more widespread...is it the cubes AND correx together? I dont plan on using the idea by the way I just am confused by it all

[Drawingwords]

I am writing a children's article about correct Cavy care and was going to use this site as a reference or a place to find adoptables but I see that this would be highly against this sites rules. That's disappointing because I would like to educate children and adults alike in the proper care but I certainly will not use a site that will sue me.

[Percy's Mom]

Did you read the whole thread Drawingwords? Based on your response, I don't really think so. CavySpirit doesn't have issues with people educating others, or using the material from here as a resource as long as it is paraphrased. Guiding people to this site for even more information is absolutely not a problem. Plagarism is the issue. There are instances fairly often where people want to simply grab things from the site and plug them into their own work.

If there is something you want to use or have questions about what is allowed, just send a private message to CavySpirit.

[Drawingwords]

Yes, I read the whole thread. In the subject of the thread it mentions articles which is what I am aiming to write. It would be a children's article in something like Ranger Rick, etc. but be very generic in information. I will PM Cavy Spirit for any questions. I just didn't want to have to worry about getting sued if I used the link as a reference guide in the article. Thanks.