On my housebuilding blog I recently got a request from a student publication to publish some screenshots from my blog. Here is the request:
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To whom it may concern,
We are the editors of OZ, an award winning student-edited journal published by the
College of Architecture, Planning, and Design of Kansas State University. Each year we
compile an issue exploring a theme in contemporary architecture. We invite you to
consider contributing to our 31st issue: ?untrained.?
The theme of this issue was sparked by an existential dilemma. It has been said that 98%
of the world?s population has no need of architects. Many building projects today are
executed without an architectural agenda. At the same time, architectural education seems
to attenuate the distance between architects and others in the allied building
professions. Maybe society needs buildings, but do buildings need architects? What is the
application of architectural training to the fabric of society in real terms? Bluntly,
how relevant is the institution of architecture?
One section of this years journal will be an expose on the resources available to the
do-it-yourself home builders via the internet community and easily accessible/affordable
software.
We would ike to ask permission to publish a few screen shots from your blog in our journal this year. These screenshots will be used to help our readers understand the resources availiable online to the
do-it-yourself homebuilder.
We would be honored if you would be interested in contributing to the OZ31 journal and
eagerly await your response. You can visit our website at www.ozjournal.org to see
information on previous journals. We look forward to speaking with you soon.
Yours truly,
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I left off the requestor's signature, however it is available in the comments to the most recent post on my blog.
I am considering authorizing his request with the understanding that
1. I get a free copy of the "journal" in which my information is printed, and
2. That I get authorization to review and approve the final copy of whatever they want to print about my blog, and
3. That no information outside of what is already published in the blog be included in their journal.
Is there anything else I should be thinking about here?
Would you, if the request had been made to you be comfortable with participating in their "journal"?
thanks in advance for your response(s).
I'm inclinded to say yes provided they document that the images are a representation should not be considered as an instruction on how to build.
Our place will be in Pencil Bluff which is about 50 miles from you.
Have you done or stated anything there you'd rather not have repeated?
Thanks for replying guys.
Good point River. I will include that as a requirement.
Don - I don't think I have said anything I wouldn't want repeated. But, I will re-read most/all the posts.
Thanks again.
We have been in several similar things. We only turned down the TV people at -HGTV "What's with that house" - or something like that. It was mostly for profit for them with no benefit or compensation to us and in fact may have been detrimental to us.
We nearly always allow educational benefit use, and have had no problems. We usually specify - no location info other than general
This is the kind of information we were always hungry for in architectural school. I would not be too suspicious of the intent here.
It could be a chance to tell not only your story but to turn these kids on to some of the great resources on other sites that support owner/designer/builders.
"Bluntly, how relevant is the institution of architecture?" and "do buildings need architects?" - Great questions! Let's give them some answers. :D ;) ;)
Too bad their publication is not available online ($30 per publication)
Okay guys, I authorized them to take snapshots from the blog to publish in the Oz Journal. They agreed to send me a copy of the Journal when it's finished (around August).
If anyone is interested, I'll see what I can do about at least summarizing what is in it, or whatever else I can do that doesn't violate copyright.
Sounds good, Tony. Thanks