Individual Comic Panels?

Gantros · Joined: 30 Jul 2007 Posts: 244

I was downloading my weekly comic update (no, I do not redistribute, I have a sexyfur.com account and anyone who knows Jeremy Bernal's reputation knows that he prosecutes to the fullest extent of the law!) when I noticed that when you try to save the full size image you only download the individual panel, rather than the whole page. This started on issue #4, page 13 and appears to be present on page 14. Is this a security feature, and if so, can we at least have a link to download the whole page rather than just the panels?

Ronald · Joined: 18 Oct 2003 Posts: 2693

It is intended to speed the loading of the pages...

And yes... stop a few pirates who have been downloading our pages and reposting them on stupid chan sites, apparently they feeling like they're a hero in spreading the content. This is only hurting our sales and could ultimately cause our website to discontinue as I fear Vanessa might not feel it is profittable to continue.

Aside from that, members can still enjoy the viewing of the pages in the members area, and even print the pages using their printer to view offline.

We are re-evaluating the need for people to save the pages.

Quote: Is this a security feature, and if so, can we at least have a link to download the whole page rather than just the panels?

Would defeat the purpose of security feature, if we did provide it as a download whole page wouldn't it? :-)

Like I said.... You can still print the page to a printer and still get the whole page.

We may redo the paneling in 3 slices instead of 25 panels... which might make it still easier for people to save and view offline if they choose not to print from the members area.

-R

Tursi · Joined: 06 Feb 2007 Posts: 213

For my two cents, I'd suggest that going much further than you have now is only going to hurt the people who pay for access. This is a decent compromise.

The people who feel like heroes for distributing the content are not going to be stopped by any but the most devious technological approaches - if it's onscreen, ultimately it can be saved. The harder it is to do so, the more useful these people become to others, for doing the "hard" work.

I'm deliberately not listing techniques, of course, since the forum is open. ;)

Ronald · Joined: 18 Oct 2003 Posts: 2693

Yes. We know it is not bullet proof. But those who are more 'technologically advanced or savvy, will know how to do it. :-)

We're trying to get the message to those idiot less savvy distributors who feel they're a 'Hero'. Sorry but Robin Hood mentality doesn't work in this situation...

-R

Ronald · Joined: 18 Oct 2003 Posts: 2693

i've considered other alternatives such as flash files...

Gantros · Joined: 30 Jul 2007 Posts: 244

I thought about what you said, so I dug up the security protocol Bernal uses for his furry site, it's called strongbox, I have the link. And like you, he was considering preventing his pics from being downloaded, but after the subscriber outcry, he opted for this, and we haven't heard anything but pirate after pirate being caught in his editorials. I'm not saying it's unbeatable, but it does seem to allow the honest subscriber to download for personal use while protecting the content from pirates. Here's the link

http://www.bettercgi.com/strongbox/

Ronald · Joined: 18 Oct 2003 Posts: 2693

That strongbox has nothing to do with image protection...

All that does is protect the site from being brute forced or password sharing...

-R

Xebulon · Joined: 28 Mar 2007 Posts: 1396

Is there anything those of us here who are less tech savvy can do to assist in catching/preventing pirates? Other than have a shovel handy I mean. :)

Ashton Gray · Joined: 15 Feb 2007 Posts: 3003

Don't forget to have a pickaxe handy, Xebulon, just in case you come across a hard-packed patch of earth. Still, regardless of available tools, your wish to help is not unshared. Is there indeed anything those of us who want to help can do, Ronald?

Vanessa · Joined: 13 Nov 2004 Posts: 689

Tursi wrote: For my two cents, I'd suggest that going much further than you have now is only going to hurt the people who pay for access. This is a decent compromise.

The people who feel like heroes for distributing the content are not going to be stopped by any but the most devious technological approaches - if it's onscreen, ultimately it can be saved. The harder it is to do so, the more useful these people become to others, for doing the "hard" work.

We did warn that we'd have to take necessary measures if this story did repeat in order not to close the site for good, this is the last thing we'd want to do. Against piracy there isn't much to do aside from locking the pages, but for now we've given another chance to the readers and we won't do it. It's a matter of conscience and sadly these people have in their nature the pleasure of stealing and betraying. But we must take measures for PBB's future.
I'm very very sorry and hoping in your undrestanding that if we don't acts in some way the site will close...
It's a painful choice.
I'd like to demonstrate to them how much time I take for the comic, about a full week, and I give up all my free time for the rest, but those people are too stupid to understand.
Expecially our dear "friend" ( A Royal member traitor!)...If this idiot hadn't betrayed us you could have kept downloading PBB's pages.
Oh well...
... maybe downloading the pages this way could be a pleasant pastime for the puzzle lovers, while they wait for the page of the following week... and then you can print the page.
For now this is the only way, but we still try another better system to do.

Freeza790 · Joined: 21 Jan 2004 Posts: 97

Wow... I peronally like the change and thnik that a 3 or 4 page split might wor better than 25. I'm just shoked that someone would download the pages and repost them.. I mean thats just a stupid idea. I've been downloading the pages but they are for my personal vault. I collect things... its kinda my trademark ;) I would never even consider re-posting pages anywhere, the idea of it seems so dirty to me.

Ashton Gray · Joined: 15 Feb 2007 Posts: 3003

"( A Royal member traitor!)"?! We have a traitor in our midst?! Methinks I hear the sound of a guillotine being sharpened, a noose being wound and methinks I also smell smoke, leading me to believe there are torches and a bonfire being readied. Then again, this may all be my wishful thinking. :lol: Personally, I hope you'll try even the most drastic of measures before deciding to close this most grande place you have constructed.

duo2nd · Joined: 19 Jun 2007 Posts: 666

Oh great! This is a LOT like those Art Thieves in dA at all.

Xebulon · Joined: 28 Mar 2007 Posts: 1396

Vanessa wrote: Expecially our dear "friend" ( A Royal member traitor!)...If this idiot hadn't betrayed us you could have kept downloading PBB's pages.

[sigh] It genuinely saddens me to think that someone here would deign to do such unscrupulous deeds. Alas, there are always those who feel obliged to become scoundrels. Let us pray that (insert your deity of choice) will intervene to keep them from further desecrating the goodness that Ms. Santato has brought to the world. And maybe, within the fullness of time, they can find redemption. ::0sad::

ksathra-blackfox · Joined: 19 Aug 2006 Posts: 73

I have to agree I love this site and the comic and IMO I think my money is being well spent on supporting this site as we all know how much work and time Ms Vanessa puts into this comic and it also saddens me that someone among us would do this as well. :/

JohnnyPsycho · Joined: 08 Jul 2006 Posts: 1124

Wow, I didn't realize things had gone so bad that there'd be a "traitor" in our midst, but then again I suppose I'm not very surprised. It's times like this that I hope for a little "frontier justice", but I suppose that's a bit overboard. It's still nice to see so many of the other fans here willing to defend this site...

...Don't worry, boys, I've got ya covered... *clicks back the hammer to his revolver*

Xebulon · Joined: 28 Mar 2007 Posts: 1396

Thank you for the support Johnny, but I'm sure that it will be unnecessary. At least, I hope it will.

Ronald · Joined: 18 Oct 2003 Posts: 2693

I'll get the issues 4 pages reposted with a 3 panel slices... So you'll still be able to download and read them...

Vanessa · Joined: 13 Nov 2004 Posts: 689

Sigh! This person is a sort of beggar...
he wrote in the chan topic that was deleted that he'd pay two months, becoming a Royal Member, and giving to the other whatever he'd have managed to take from his submission. Afterwards he told everyone that if they wanted more they'd have to raise enough money to pay for his future subscription...
They may consider him an "hero", but I think he's just sly and despicable

Ashton Gray · Joined: 15 Feb 2007 Posts: 3003

Hero or no, anyone who would steal the loving and loved work of another is despicable, at least in my eyes.