Talk:Tolkien Google logo petition

Beren's The One Ring Logo

So far I really like Beren's design. It's simple, to the point, and well implemented. I can easily see something like it on Google's homepage. I was looking forever trying to find an image of the One Ring but in my head I kept looking for the exact circular shape which makes it impossible to see the inscription , the tilted idea is brilliant. --Hyarion 18:05, 4 May 2006 (EDT)

Question…

Before I sign up, I'd like to know if anyone has consulted with the Dark Tower (TE). Can Google ever act on this if it's considered copyright infringement? Don't get me wrong - I think it's a great idea - if it's possible.

I understand your concerns. TE is pretty picky but I believe it constitutes fair use as there is no money involved at all and its not hurting their image. Worst case scenario is Google asks us to take down the images, but in that case they have already seen the petition and a chance of their logo designer hearing about it is pretty good. --Hyarion 00:03, 5 May 2006 (EDT)

Is this really a suitable place for a petition?

The petition is hard to get to and the act of signing it is even more confusing, especially if you have never used a wiki before. Wouldn't it be better if you set up a petition on one of those free petition-specialised sites? I think that would get it better coverage. Also, using fake names won't do any good for the petition, I'm affraid.

P.S. I apologise for not being registered yet, I'm posting this in a hurry. - Denis Kasak

Denis, the petition is already for some weeks the Featured Article on the Main Page, so it's not really hard to find, IMHO. And adding a name to the petition isn't that hard, either, if you'd ask me.

The 'fake names' you object to are socalled screen names, which are widely used (as you might know) on on-line discussion/message boards. --Earendilyon 05:05, 16 May 2006 (EDT)

I know what screen names are, which is precisely why I mentioned it :) Maybe I've given off a wrong impression in my first post. What I meant to say was that using real first and last names could probably add quite a bit of credibility and weight to each of the signatures, not to mention the seriousness of the petition as a whole. -- Denis Kasak

Hello Denis. As Earendilyon mentioned the petition has been on the main page for weeks, and is present on numerous news sites. If one still cannot find it you can simply search for "Google" at the left search box and click the first link. I do agree with you that signing may be difficult for people not familiar with wikis. I've added a bit of text which informs the visitor to click Edit on the right, as well as to not worry about the alphabetical part. I hope this helps and thanks for your input. --Hyarion 09:09, 16 May 2006 (EDT)

It was probably a bit of an overstatement to say that the petition is hard to find. Concerning my other point, I was merely expressing worry that some people may find the complications of a wiki (with which they may not be familiar) to outweigh the benefit this petition may bring. I would not want to lose such people due to the system because I'd like this petition to be heard just as much as you :) I hope I am wrong and this won't stop people from signing. Still, kudos to you Hyaron; the text you added is a great improvement. Well, I'm off to registering and signing. -- Denis Kasak

Denis, concerning your point on screen names: that's how the Internet (often) works; people are more known by their screen names than by their RL names. Google is part of the 'net, so they should know that and accept that (IMHO). If not: boo to Google! --Earendilyon 15:34, 16 May 2006 (EDT)

Agreed, screen names are indeed what most people use when online. They are, however, not used exclusively as a method of personal identification on the 'net. My stance on this matter is probably biased towards what the programming community on Usenet and similar media would consider polite and appropriate, since I am myself a programmer. On a more objective note, what concerned me is that Google might decide that screen names, as there are many duplicates and it is more difficult to decide whether it is a genuine name, are an invalid method of proving the number of people that actually signed the petition. Still, I am probably delving into the matter much more than necessary. I'm sure Google, as a respected Internet based firm, will be reasonable on the matter. After all, it is not too much of a problem on their side to make something like this come true. I must say I'm looking forward to 3rd of January!

Oh, one more thing. How will the logo be chosen? Will Google decide on which logo to use if they accept our proposition? Denis Kasak 16:17, 16 May 2006 (EDT)