Freepages-Help-L Archives

Archiver > Freepages-Help > 2010-10 > 1286763846


From: "J.A. Florian" <>
Subject: Re: [FreeHelp] Coding to help prevent online theft
Date: Sun, 10 Oct 2010 22:24:06 -0400
References: <88558.75713.qm@web43142.mail.sp1.yahoo.com><201010102343.o9ANh650023079@mail.rootsweb.com>
In-Reply-To: <201010102343.o9ANh650023079@mail.rootsweb.com>


I've never made pdf files but have found some online that were not
searchable, nor could I "copy" parts of text I needed to save. In this
case, it was the name and address for a non-profit so to me it was very
annoying that I couldn't just copy that part. LOL BUT--although I could
download the entire file, I would have had to re-type it if I had been
inclined to "stealing" the text. So it would slow people down.

I've also seen pdfs that the text was visible, but they had thick-outlined
words imprinted diagonally in a version of light gray. For example, one had
OFFICE COPY repeated diagonally. Another file had DRAFT COPY repeated
diagonally over the 'real' text. Maybe this would slow people down? These
files were also ones a user could not highlight and copy. Not sure how
companies select these features, but it certainly creates obstacles to
copying the info presented.

And, although I don't recommend this, one person I know picked random
names throughout his online genealogy and inserted fictitious middle names
and dates. He said he was tired of other people stealing his work and that
if he found someone had taken it, he would
know who stole those sections and could confront them. But, to prove the
theft, he'd have to give the right info... so it didn't seem workable to me.

Judy

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