[NTLUG:Discuss] OT: Ethics Question

[Steve Southwell]

As one who has programmed the innards of websites for about 10 years, I 
tend to look at things from a functionality and usability perspective.  
I've yet to see any case where the user needs to know, or would even 
find it interesting to know who built a page.  Just my opinion, but it 
seems kinda "dated" to use these types of vanity footers - almost 
reminds me of the various "Under Construction" pages that you used to 
see, back around '95.

If anything, a credits page should be enough, with the link being only 
visible from the site map.

That being said, there are two exceptions:
1.  If significant _content_ were written by her, then it may be 
appropriate to keep her name for editorial reasons.  For instance, if 
she actually wrote articles.
2.  You may want to list a webmaster or help link on each page as a 
service to the user.

-- 
Steve Southwell                     214-488-2239 (Voice)
President / CEO                     214-280-6439 (Mobile)
SagePost, Inc.                   http://www.sagepost.com
Internet Data Services Provider


dmyhand610 wrote:

> I apologize for the off topic post, and for the distinct possibility 
> of the flame war which could ensue.  I know there are some HTML Coders 
> out there and they would probably best be suited to answer this.
>
> I am a High School teacher and I teach Web building among other 
> subjects, and one of my duties is to maintain the High School 
> Website.  Prominently displayed on the Site is the name of my 
> predecessor, and the fact that she created the site.  She left one 
> year ago this October and is no longer a School District employee.  My 
> name is below with an e-mail link for those who have questions or 
> comments about the site.  I have had several people ask me why her 
> name is still listed as the site creator and why my name isn't 
> listed.  I tell them it is because I did not create the site, she did, 
> and I do not wish to take credit for the work of others.  I am still 
> being urged to remove her name, and by more people.  Should I do this 
> or stick to my ethical guns (Which is what I am still convinced is 
> right to do)?  Thanks, Dennis
>
>
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