Hello everyone, it's been a looooooonnnngggg time!

As was stated in a journal dating back to early July 2006, I no longer use this account.

The newer account I have been using is Thesis-D.

Here's the link for the new account again, in case you didn't get it before:

[link]

Why post a journal after no public activity on this account for two years? Simple. I still get notes from people asking me where I am and why I haven't responded to messages or uploaded anything new. It is obvious that all of these people are unaware I've even created a new account and moved there, despite the fact I gave sufficient notice of this.

Maybe they didn't read the journal announcing the move or notice all my deviations were gone (except the one pointing you to the new account).

At any rate, this is a reminder that the move was made (for those that are/were not already aware of it) and that if you are still interested in watching me to go to my Thesis-D account. I am active on that account, respond to messages, etc. My art has improved since this account was in use, so if you were/are watching me on this account, I don't think you'll be disappointed with the new account.

I hope the people who were not paying attention all this time and the people who send me notes or e-mails recieve this journal and read it, so that I hopefully don't have to do this again. LOL

Thanks a bunch,

Damien

Well, folks, this is it. I have taken all the measure of moving myself from this account to my new account. [link]

I have:

- deleted all but one of my deviations (the one that remains is a link to the new account and will serve to redirect traffic my way).

- deleted all my journals except two (this one and the copyrights one).

- saved all my work before deleting it (of course! ).

- re-submitted some of my old favorites which I have dubbed "classics" from my "classic collection", on the new account. ^^

- re-submitted all my current work.

- created a journal which covers several issues/f.a.qs. It is quite long, but please read it so I don't have to explain it to you guys individually or answer your questions or concerns individually, which I don't want to have to do!

Here is the link to that journal: [link]

Also, please do not be expecting any activity out of this account anymore. I will only be using it when necessary and to clear my inbox and such. If you leave a reply and I don't respond to it, don't take it to heart. Please direct all your responses, notes, etc., to the new account. Thank you.

Well, thats all. It's been great, it's been swell, and anyone who wants to follow me over to the new account is more than welcome to do so.

Kindest personal regards,

Damien Jones

A short guide to accurate art protection.

(c) is not ©.

"me" is not a person.

"artwork (c) me" is something I see alot of artists/photographers/poets/authors/etc., even those on my watch list, typing when it comes time to accredit their work to themselves.

This is the WRONG and UNSAFE way to copyright your work. The imitation of the copyright symbol is not a substitute for it. Technically, it does nothing for you. Its just a "c" between brackets.

I realize that some people, perhaps more the younger artists particularly, don't know how to type the real, actual copyright symbol. There are also people that know that what they are doing is wrong, but also don't know how to type the symbol.

EDIT:

The quickest way to type the copyright symbol is to hold down the alt key and then (while still holding the alt key) press 0, then 1, then 6 and then 9. When you've done this, release all the keys and the copyright symbol should have appeared.

For laptop owners, obviously there is no numberpad on the keyboard since everything is compact, but most laptops should compensate for not having a number pad by having the m, j, k, l, u, i, o, p, 7, 8, 9, and 0 keys act as a substitute.

These keys should appear as a different color, usually blue. On my laptop theres a small icon on the key showing what number pad function it substitutes.

If any of you use laptops or desktops, and using these keys doesn't work, you need to hold down the Fn key AND the alt key, and while still holding those two keys, press 0, then 1, then 6, then 9 (or on a laptop mjo9) and then release them all, and the copyright symbol will appear.

If it doesn't, then you're not holding the keys right. You need to hold the alt and fn keys, and while holding them press (one at a time, not at the same time and not holding) 0169 (for desktops) or mjo9(for laptops) and then release the alt and fn keys.

There is a program already on your computer called the "character map". In addition to having the copyright symbol it has a load of other symbols as well that you may need to use some time. And all you have to do is copy and paste it.

The character map program is a default program that should have come with your computer when you bought it. You can access it by clicking "start" on your desktop, then going to "all programs", then "accessories", and under "accessories" there will be a section called "system tools". In "system tools" there will be a program called "character map".

Just open it up, select the symbol you want (in this case the copyright symbol), copy it, and then paste it into the text here.

Its as simple as that people.


But just posting the copyright symbol is not enough. As I said, alot of people are accrediting their pictures to "me". And while most people watching you are going to know you are "me", technically, you are not identifying yourself. And that is also a huge oversight and mistake to make.

To ensure your copyright notices are sound, you should post the accreditations like so:

Azalyn and artwork © Damien Jones
Character/artwork © Damien Jones
Character & artwork © copyright Damien Jones 2005

These are just a few of the correct variations you could use. Just remember that the symbol and your name are the most important things.


Just in case you don't know, my real name is Damien Jones. And for all intents and purposes, this is the person I need to accredit. An actual name needs to be given for it to be official. "Me" is not a name and (c) is not ©.

While you gain natural copyrights upon the creation of an original work or art piece, its more safe to accredit that creation to yourself. It's also good practice to accredit art that is not yours to the original creators when you can.

For example:

Sister Prier © Nippon Ichi

You can include the year if you want, but that seems more optional, since your work is naturally copyrighted for your life plus 75 years after death. If you go professional however, dates are more and more important.

Also, it's a good idea to draw in or type the copyright symbol in your art as well for added safety and assurance. If the character does not belong to you, you can still copyright the art, just make sure to give credit then, if you can.


Copyrighting and proofing your work correctly is even more important if they are original characters. And with that in mind, I refer you to the U.S Copyright Office website. It is the official government website which handles copyrights (domestic and international).

[link]

It will explain what copyrights are exactly, for those of you that may not understand. It will also give you information on how you can register your work officially. It's just another tier of protection. Having your work registered is like having a receipt for your work, more proof in the event theres a serious infraction made against you.

If you take your work seriously and you value your precious characters and creations, you should consider going this far to protect them, even if it's not completely necessary.

I hope all the people that need to read this will. Its for your own good.

- Damien