Question on ethics

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Posted: Sat Apr 02, 2011 4:05 pm

Hi guys, I'm pretty new here as a baiter but I've been reading your stuff for a while so I have a question for you. Do people mind if you blatantly rip off their scripts. There are a few lovely baits that I wanted to try my hand at and even though they are not word for word copies I have used major portions in my baits. I feel this helps me through the process of seeing what these lads are willing to do for a few bucks. I understand if each bait is somewhat akin to art and people would rather you make up your own stuff but I thought I would pose the question anyway.

Also, is it better to publish full baits on the "Publish your work here" forum or should we be publishing as we go along. I am not sure what heightens the entertainment value for our dear readers, perhaps it is completely relative. Let me know though since I have a few going on right now and if I should publish them enroute to the endgame then I happily will Very Happy

Posted: Sat Apr 02, 2011 4:48 pm

Well I've used some ideas already from other baiters. But the most fun part is to create you're own story.
But it helps to start to bait with some ideas of others.
Everytime I answer a lad, after some minutes I say to myself : oh I should have done this and that,... You write it down and try it with the next lad.
This way my story is created and after some time you won't have to use other ideas.
Beware, every lad can react in a different way so sometimes your story needs to change but the main lines will always stay.
Just need to set up a goal and try to achieve it.

Posted: Sat Apr 02, 2011 5:22 pm

I don't think baiters mind if you use their ideas, in fact, I would consider it an honour if someone else could profit from it

Posted: Sat Apr 02, 2011 5:28 pm

Anything posted on here is essentially up for grabs. If someone posts photos or forms it would probably be polite if you asked permission first.

I like to publish as I go, but others prefer to publish complete baits. Just personal preference, I guess.

Good luck! Very Happy

Posted: Sat Apr 02, 2011 6:49 pm

What Bluth said.

If a particular bait inspired you, go ahead and try your hand at the same idea. I think that no two baits will ever go the same way, because no two people will react the same to situations that arise. With that said, as soon as the bait deviates from the script you are following you might be surprised what new directions you decide to take it.

I like to publish as I go once I get one on the hook. I think it's fun for people to watch the story unfold.

Have fun!

Posted: Sat Apr 02, 2011 6:58 pm

Sometimes my baits don't conclude the way I'd like, so personally I like to share on the move, so that people can see where I went right and maybe where I went wrong, the more we know as a group the better we're equipped.

Personally IMHO the me attitude is the attitude of a lad.

Posted: Sat Apr 02, 2011 8:26 pm

United we stand - there are fewer baiters than scammers, but by sharing information, baits and such, we have a bigger better effect than being islands alone.

Posted: Sat Apr 02, 2011 9:20 pm

As others said I think if it's posted it's up for grabs. I have borrowed ideas from other baiters in several of my baits. We learn from each other and it just makes us better at torturing the lads.

I recommend publishing as you go. I decided to publish one of my He@vy Electric1ty baits after the fact and it was a major pain in the ass. Plus as others mentioned it's fun to get people's insight as you go.

Posted: Sat Apr 02, 2011 9:56 pm

As with everyone else, I agree -- modalities are up for grabs. Eater baiters are the most kind and sharing people that I know. Not only can you use bits and pieces or whole chunks of modalities, but 99% of the time, they will help you with whatever you need -- if you just ask or PM them.

I do think that most documents, photos, etc posted by other baiters are usually free to be re-used and have done that a time or two myself. (We used one of jose's contracts, edited, for our Paga baits.) I do think it is polite to ask (if they are still around) -- especially if it is a photo of their lad or something that you want to reuse. But essentially, if it is posted on Eater, then it can be reused. Very Happy

Posted: Sat Apr 02, 2011 10:08 pm

I figure if anything I share is used by others, I feel good about that. And as Dora said--everyone is helpful. I get some ideas for my baits from the posts here, and I share some of mine.

I personally don't publish my works that often, just when co-baiting or involved in a mass bait. And as Bravo95 said--we all learn from each other.

I do think that one should ask permission to use a tactic, if both baiters are dealing with a lad. For example, right now Morgain Le Fay and I are co-baiting an investment lad, and someone else here is also. I don't mind sharing information, but I I don't want our same tactic used, as it could kill our bait.

So far as ideas and scripts and craziness--I think unless someone specifically says don't use it,then it's public info and available for use.

Not quite a Newb Joined: 14 Jul 2005 Posts: 41

Pretty much what everyone else said - if members don't want something being used by other baiters, then they either need not publish until they are finished, obfuscate the name/modality being used or implicitly say so.

Everything else really is fair game.

Master of Master Baiters Joined: 27 Dec 2010 Posts: 586

Yep, what everyone said. What makes us so succesful is that we share information. Just look at the Japanese crises scammer baits. http://forum.419eater.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=199692&highlight= Those guys are killing tons of bank accounts. Keep sharing info. Unless someone does not want some info to be shared to save the bait, respect that. Other than that everthing else should be up for grabs. I like to share my on going baits as I like the advice.

Posted: Sun Apr 03, 2011 3:40 am

Consensus! Very Happy

Yes, if you publish something, it's free for the taking by anyone. And if I come up with something someone else likes, great! I've certainly 'borrowed' plenty from others.

As for when to post, I used to wait until a bait was done but if it's one of the rare really good baits I find it more fruitful to publish as I go. Sometimes it blows up in my face, but so far no one has taunted me for such failures. More often than not, I've gotten fantastic input that has helped direct my baits and make them even better.

Whatever you're comfortable with. That's the key.

Posted: Sun Apr 03, 2011 9:57 pm

"Imitation Is The Best Form Of Flattery".
I used to worry about it but most baiters will love the fact that you are using their ideas.

As for publishing, I would advise publishing as you go.
I'm sitting on some very acceptable baits but I really can't be arsed to format them for publication (I normally give up half way).

I really should post them as they unfold. Smile

Posted: Sun Apr 03, 2011 10:30 pm

^^^

I wish I could train myself to publish as I go. But I don't. And I've got several baits that I'm sure others would love to read, but I don't have the time to try and sort it out and now and format.

The calls alone are enough to die for Smile

Posted: Mon Apr 04, 2011 4:07 am

When i see some bait that tickles my fancy i generally ask the baiter can I use their idea first, just because its the right thing to do Razz

and bend it for my own evil Wink

Posted: Mon Apr 04, 2011 7:04 am

I have no qualms with people grabbing stuff I've come up with if it helps their baits. So feel free to use anything I do that may be helpful. Smile

Posted: Mon Apr 04, 2011 7:18 am

You can always give a little nod in the direction of a baiter whom you borrow modalities from when you publish. Wink

Posted: Mon Apr 04, 2011 9:21 am

There is nothing wrong with using other baiter's ideas.
Afterall, that is why we are all here, to share ideas and to use those ideas to bait ourselfs.

Even though I straight bait, I still look through a few older baits to see if I can incorporate something new into my baits.

I personally don't care if someone takes a whole bunch of stuff from my baits, just as long as the end result is you wasting a scammer's time.

As for publishing, I update our site as and when I send or recieve an email.

Posted: Mon Apr 04, 2011 2:55 pm

I like the publish-as-you-go method; however, I don't post about many of my baits, since they are primarily straight baits with no twists and turns. I do a lot of co-baiting and generally keep a log going of what we are doing so if we do want to publish we have something with all our emails, etc in it.

If anyone would like to see the log we use, click on the PM or EMAIL button and I will be glad to send you a copy. I usually keep it updated every day and it only takes a minute or 2 then I have everything I need for reference. It is done in a WORD table format which you can change up as needed.

When I post up about a bait I am doing, I am open to suggestions and comments, otherwise I don't post about them. I might comment on others baits about something I have done in a bait.

One of the things I like best about baiting is making the forms. I enjoy the research and creativity about making up forms. I think this goes back to my days in law and engineering offices. If a baiter wants a form for something, I am glad to do it since knowing that it will help waste a scammer's time.

Posted: Mon Apr 04, 2011 4:20 pm

I'm honored when someone uses something I posted here. Everything I use originated from something posted here by someone else to begin with...

Posted: Mon Apr 04, 2011 4:42 pm

Personally, i've gained a brilliant "quick-fix" of enjoyment from the 'pieces' of bait that are frequentley published. (Cammy, I love you. Mal, you're a bastard but you're ok.)

They are frequentley not whole baits, but extracts. IE. sometimes it's great to watch a soap opera (life's highlights, without the boring bits) than a film like "The English Patient".

Posted: Mon Apr 04, 2011 4:43 pm

I think the publish-as-you-go method is the best way to do it - you can get very good input and ideas from other baiters. My "demonic bait" would not have been anywhere near as good without all the help I got (search for demons and Drysdale if you want to read that bait).

Only downside to publish as you go - be sure to leet key words so the mugu cannot google it.

Bruin

Posted: Mon Apr 04, 2011 7:45 pm

I voted for publish when done... but unless it is REALLY funny and you need help, then publish as you go.