andreasviklund.com

Comment from Gnome
Time: August 9, 2006, 2:09 pm

Wow… I had no idea people would do stuff like that. It is kind of sad that you were forced to post this to stop people from complaining about things you have no control over. I hope this helps you to reduce the volume of useless mail you recieve.

Comment from CoolGoose
Time: August 9, 2006, 2:11 pm

Lol what idiots :). Just ignore them.
ps: You still didn't reply to my email lol :P.

Alex Bucur
——————
Be Smart, Think Free, Choose OpenSource.

Comment from Scott
Time: August 9, 2006, 3:56 pm

Wow. It just blows my mind that people can't figure this one out…

Comment from Dari
Time: August 9, 2006, 5:08 pm

Hey Andreas, i got a similar problem. One of my free templates was used on a spam blog, that was stealing other peoples content and images. The owner of the original content/site had the same theme as mine which means the spammer kinda stole the whole site.

Do you have any suggestions or ideas how this can be fixed? I told the owner that he should contact the host so they "suspend" his hosting account etc.

Are there any other ways of "fighting back" things like this?

What's your expirience?

Thanks,
Dari

BTW: I'm a big fan of your stuff :) Keep it up!

Comment from LobsterMan
Time: August 9, 2006, 5:50 pm

LOL, some people just don't get it. I got support questions for the andreas_01 wordpress theme, I have no clue why, maybe because I use the andreas_01 template for my site…

Comment from Ainslie
Time: August 9, 2006, 5:54 pm

A similar thing happens to me fairly often.

I write back politely informing them I am not responsibe for the content and my only involvement was the theme that the site was using.

It is usually the last I hear about the matter, but there are times when I would love to ask just how stupid they are!

Comment from badger
Time: August 9, 2006, 6:33 pm

I got a support question for Andreas 01 the other day, because I had it on my site.

She wanted me to help her get it running on her site, since I had gotten it working on mine.

:)

Comment from Carl Galloway
Time: August 9, 2006, 8:16 pm

I've had similar problems, and just recently I actually had to get my legal team onto someone who stole all my content and republished like it was their own words. Cost me a fortune but I think it was worth it. On the other hand, turning the other cheek is a good policy and stops you having a heart attack from the stress.

Here is an idea, why not change the link in all your new templates so they refer to a static page that gives a really nice sales pitch about your templates but also advises people that you are only the designer and not the owner of the referring website. Personally I would be happy to change all of the links in my zipfiles where I've ported one of your designs.

Comment from Richard Gatarski
Time: August 9, 2006, 10:44 pm

The term "Design" (currently in high fashion) has many and different meanings by itself. Clearly Andreas made the design (meaning here form, function and ergonomics) of the template - and should be rightfully credited for that. The problem is that most visitors probably interpet "Design by" as for the whole web site. This is natural, especially if there are no other credits given for other parts of the site design. As I see it, the best fix (for future releases) is to replace "Design by" with "Template design by" or "Original template design by".

Some of you commenters: don't regard people as stupid, they simply do not know how web technologies like templates works - and many of them do not (and should not) need to know.

Andreas: you are right in that there are a lot (congrats :-) of your templates out there. Maybe a clearly visible subtitle like "the maker of template designs used by thousands of web designers all over the world" on andreasviklund.com could cool down some of the upset visitors you receive. Furhtermore, perhaps include a button next to that subtitle which links to a static page that explains what you do as a designer, something like the idea from Carl.
If so, please acknowledge that some visitors are angry. Welcome them and explain (not lecture, as you do in this posting) what is going on. I would also suggest that you indicate that they can address their web manager in question and what they can do about the problem on their side. (I am not sure if you allow the "Design by" credit to be moved off the footer of every page).

Too bad this happens to you, please shake it off and sense the warm acknowledgments from the many more of us who love and admire your work.

Comment from Ainslie
Time: August 10, 2006, 12:31 am

I'm happy to go with a combined effort. Email me your ideas and I'll be 100% in support. Your the innocent guy in this and I have already considered posting about the situation. As you mentioned Wp-Andreas09 on WordPress.com is the source of most of my mail from people looking for the person responsible for the site. I, like you, are a link that has a contact form, from sites that often do not publish any form of contact whatsoever.

Perhaps my comment about these people being stupid was not the best statement to make… On reflection emotive subjects like war combined with the language barriers that are more than likely to exist are bound to cause confusion. Do you now someone who could translate for you, hopefully to explain the situation?

If I can help in any way please let me know.

Comment from Dari
Time: August 10, 2006, 1:59 am

I think we can still use "Design by" but people should add "Content by" or something. Or for wordpress we can do it ourselves kinds. And add the correct php string after the "Content by" for the blog name or something…

Also i think it's a good idea to know what to do if someone is trying to sue you. Or if they think that you're with the bad guys, explain the situation and try to help them out or point them to the solution.

Does giving a link to the oswd or something help? Or they still don't get it? :)

Comment from anon
Time: August 10, 2006, 3:48 am

you can't blame them. It looks like you're running the site.

Comment from Jake
Time: August 10, 2006, 5:21 am

I don't think you should change it from how it is, but instead have a standardized reply. It is mere ignorance.

Comment from Carl Galloway
Time: August 10, 2006, 8:34 am

Andreas I take your point about the large number of templates already out there, and in that case you are correct, but may I remind you that you plan on producing more templates, not just through this site but also through jokmokk.biz so at some point you need a workable solution.

Changing the link might not be the best solution and there are those who will always not understand either because English isn't their first language or because they are hell bent on causing mischief. Despite this I stand by my offer, and if you request it I will even place a message on my own blog just like Ainslie offered. Don't fight this on your own, you have a loyal following who will happily do everything they can to make this work for you.

Comment from Thomas Williams
Time: August 10, 2006, 10:04 am

Perhaps you should have the "Design by" redirect to another page, which explains your not responsible for the content from the website they have just come from.

Comment from Luka Cvrk
Time: August 10, 2006, 11:55 am

I have the same situation here..

Comment from michael
Time: August 10, 2006, 4:07 pm

I will sympathize, too - I am a systems guy, and I still to this day get emails about software packages that I built 3-4 years ago for long-ago EOL'ed Linux operating system versions, only because my name and email address is in the changelog and "built-by" line in the package info. "Can you fix this bug, or build a new version from the current source?…" No, upgrade to a supported OS version, talk to your OS vendor, and get a clue.

I like "Design by" - short and sweet. "Can you fix this site bug or update the home page with the latest news?…" No, go to the site and look for proper contact info, talk to the site developer, and get a clue. ;)

Kind Regards

Comment from manos
Time: August 10, 2006, 6:26 pm

well it happens sometimes.Do not worry so much

Comment from Greg
Time: August 10, 2006, 7:22 pm

Rookies :) . Just ignore'em.

Comment from Ainslie
Time: August 10, 2006, 7:58 pm

In many ways it's too late to change. A quick Google for Andreas Viklund is showing over 7.5 million hits.

So, "Do not worry, do not cry. Don't be afraid and don't ask why…" may be the best option. Nice sentiment :-)

If you want me to change the credit links in the WP versions of 06 and 09 just let me know what you would like.

Comment from dandyna
Time: August 11, 2006, 12:18 am

can't believe there's still people who doesn't know these things…. tell me it's a joke, andy!!!! :)

Comment from K
Time: August 11, 2006, 4:34 am

You must be getting a lot of people coming from this site - http://www.morgellons.org…

This web site is touting a fake disease that tries to dupe Americans out of their money by claiming that the disease causes blue fibers emerge out of ones wounds. I followed your link from that site, but I see that you are not involved with that group.

The Open Web Design site looks cool. I wasn't aware of it before, so I'm glad I found your site.

Peace.

Comment from dandyna
Time: August 11, 2006, 8:15 am

Replied ;)

Comment from KenWall
Time: August 11, 2006, 8:36 am

I am a long time follower of Andreas's work and this is my first time responding to a comment however I felt I must as he does indeed seem to be an honest and upright individual. This is in response to the comment by "K" above. I am in NO WAY affiliated with the mentioned website or do not know anyone with this disease. I also realize that this may seem like a bizarre disease and thus one that a person may feel that the website mentioned is trying to dupe people out of money as "K" stated. I must make a simple correction. The Morgellons Research Foundation was featured on a national ABC broadcast about Morgellons disease, which aired on: ABC Primetime — Wednesday, August 9, 2006 at 10 p.m. EDT/9 p.m. CDT. I watched this show and was quite astounded by this disease and at first thought it a joke and soon realised it is not. The website above did state that this episode was airing and it appears it is not a scam website at all. Bizare that it is!
BTW — The report on TV was done by ABC News Primetime correspondent Cynthia McFadden and she reported on the suffering caused by Morgellons disease and the inability of patients with the illness to get a proper diagnosis and treatment. While the bizarre nature of the skin symptoms of this increasingly common condition has led some members of the medical community to dismiss symptoms as impossible, it is again real. Please do not jump to conclusions without investigating the facts.
Andreas please keep up the GREAT work that you do! :)

Comment from KenWall
Time: August 11, 2006, 5:50 pm

Thanks Andreas for allowing me to make that correction above. Like you I have little interest in it as well however as a frequent reader of blogs I am just very tired of reading ill informed responses from people that either through ignorance, impatience or just not being the brightest bulbs write that are simply wrong. I will not write an answer to a question if I am unaware of the background on the topic until I do research and then I respond so my answer (though maybe not fully the most informed) is at least a somewhat intelligent one. I am certain you do the same. This is exactly what is happening when people write to you about websites that use your templates, they are just not informed and look before they leap! Looking forward to seeing more of your work.

Comment from cyberbaguioboy
Time: August 11, 2006, 6:52 pm

I'm a fan of your blog designs. I've been using some of great designs and so far, I'm very happy. Just one thing: how can I change the graphics of the header of andreas01 (New version!). for instance, I want to put in my own graphics?

cheers

Comment from isecore
Time: August 12, 2006, 12:32 am

People will always be stupid, especially on the internet. A lot of people think that a connection to the internet is like a license for being an asshole.

If I would be getting emails from dickheads who don't understand the difference between design and content I would simply forward them to /dev/null and not be the least bit bothered. I'm not responsible for the content of Such And Such Website, and if Mr JerkOff on the other end of the line doesn't understand that then tough luck for him.

Don't lose sleep over this. In fact, even putting this notice out is superfluous in my opinion. You've explained briliantly what a free CSS/XHTML-design entails, and if people still insist on being dense, then that's their problem.

Comment from GUAGUAU
Time: August 12, 2006, 3:52 am

Hermano una pena lo que pasa tranquilo que las cosas iran mejor
abrazo virtual

Brother one suffers what happens calm that the things iran better
virtual hug

Comment from george
Time: August 12, 2006, 2:38 pm

Hi guys,
How can I design better my blogs? I always have problems with that, so please help me.thanks

Comment from Dean
Time: August 12, 2006, 11:46 pm

Hi Andreas, just found a site ripping your work:
http://www.dreamtemplate.com/index.php?action=detail&catID=47&productID=874

Comment from Dean
Time: August 12, 2006, 11:50 pm

And this one:
http://www.dreamtemplate.com/index.php?action=detail&catID=47&productID=872

I'd say this one is too:
http://www.dreamtemplate.com/index.php?action=detail&catID=48&productID=772

If you need any of the source, email me (as I'm a member there, and have access to the downloads)

Comment from Gnome
Time: August 13, 2006, 1:57 am

Lots of template-selling sites rip good OWD and OSWD templates, not just Andreas'. They only snag the ill-informed into paying, so it shouldn't be a problem. It seems to me that these problematic emails are not the problem, but the sites they came from are, because it is likely that the site has no other contact information. If most of them take the explanation and run, then there isn't much of a problem. They are not nessecarily idiots, just zealots. isecore, not everyone is a dickhead, as andreas said, most of them realise their mistake, and go, but for those who don't figure it out, I'm with you.

Comment from Deep
Time: August 13, 2006, 11:39 am

Hi,
Just reached here by clicking one of your wordpress designed themes.

I have a better idea to overcome this issue.

When you write Designed by Andreas…. the link should point to page like this: http://andreasviklund.com/designed-by.html

So when people click on it, they will land on that page, and that page should give clear information about the meaning of it and how you are not related to the site.

So this will help people to understand the stuff and I do not think so they will bug you.

Regards,
Deep

Comment from Josh
Time: August 13, 2006, 1:18 pm

Jaha, där var du också! :)

Long time, no see. Nice site.

Comment from Dean
Time: August 13, 2006, 4:01 pm

It's dreamtemplate.com , not dreamtemplate*s*.com :)

Comment from dlevy
Time: August 14, 2006, 1:13 am

Andreas,
I had removed your name from the footer and placed it under a credits section. The page looks like:

"Site developed and managed by My-Name.

Web layout template donated by Andreas Viklund. (+ link to your site)"

Btw I've already had very positive responses using andreas-9, and have directed other developers to OSWD and your site.

thanks again for a great template!!!

-david

I hope this helps.

Comment from Stefan
Time: August 14, 2006, 2:12 am

Some people want make money without a effort. Like an artist I have cases for my stolen songs. I see on internet big lies and the bad thing is: people buy and buy. Take a look for example for sites like "Make money fast " or make 1 million $ for one night " Good Luck Andreas.

Comment from pratik
Time: August 17, 2006, 7:19 pm

Thanx Andreas for the wonderful templates u designed. In any case, that tag line deserves to be there, not withstanding the erronous suppositions.

Comment from Sam
Time: August 18, 2006, 3:22 pm

Hello,
I have surfed on the net I have found your blog. It's amazing.

Comment from zoneX
Time: August 20, 2006, 5:50 pm

Hello Andreas I had to pass speak before that the six best one, also carl eheh:) Then they are Italian, I do not understand well English I write to you with tool of google sorry to my WP 01-1,3 WOW are your WP-Andreas belli8ssimo and are valid XHTML and the CSS no warning and have installed widget, the some do not go, but it is not guilt of your template ones that for the code he is only compatible also with plugin of v1.5 the Thanks!! Andreas :)… and I am ipovedente and with you I have learned, to 51 years to understand the CSS It compliments, I cannot makes you one donation: I would want but alive with EUR200 to the month: (

vote for topscore my is 8.5 and my domain is new, but you hare by 10 :p
hi a presto.
francesco grossi
firenze
italy

Comment from Richard
Time: August 22, 2006, 11:59 am

Hi, I've only recently discovered your templates and am really impressed with them.
Time to start my website all over again I think.
I have a horrible feeling that no matter what you put on the template "Designed by" you will still have the problem of idiots/misguided soles who believe that you are the webmaster.
In fact a lot of them probably have no idea what a webmaster is!
Keep up the good work

Comment from Dean
Time: August 22, 2006, 11:23 pm

Just wondering what the outcome was with the rippers :p