If it would be the best of the web, can I upload it?

July 19, 2001 1:12 PM

If something can't be found on the web (private bbs, email meme etc.), is it appropriate to upload it to your own site, clearly label it as not yours and then link to it on metafilter? What if there is an original website, but it's bogged down? Is alright with certain media types (a video clip), but not ok with other stuff (a list of funny things kids have said, which would be a crap post anyway)?
posted by alana to Etiquette/Policy at 1:12 PM (6 comments total)

It would be a crap post anyway.
posted by john at 1:16 PM on July 19, 2001

I know which post you're referring to (one which is now lost in the nether regions to which deleted front page posts are relegated), & I think that in that instance he could've done one or two things to not make it a self-link. First off, simply linking to the video directly probably would've prevented the whole uproar, rather than linking to a post on his site mentioning the video. Another thought, one with a little more effort required that completely prevents the whole "self-link" thing, would be to just upload the video to FilePile & link to it there. That way, both the FilePilers & the MeFites get to see it, which should be good if it's such a great video.
posted by zempf at 1:21 PM on July 19, 2001

or just put it on filepile because that's a more appropriate venue for such things.
posted by palegirl at 3:40 PM on July 19, 2001

filepile is such a good idea. Too bad the server is so slow.
posted by crunchland at 3:55 PM on July 19, 2001

please to be disagreeing with zempf; i've seen direct-to-bigass-download links get people nailed to the cross. not recommended.
posted by Sapphireblue at 7:32 PM on July 19, 2001

If you put it on FilePile, be sure to link to the archive page instead of the front page, because the turnover can be pretty high.
posted by briank at 11:26 AM on July 23, 2001