Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
This post answers Frequently Asked Questions regarding my icon posts & journal.
Why do you post icon usage requests with your icons?
It is each icon artist's choice to make any requests in exchange for use of their work. I post my usage requests with each icon post, to insure that anyone not familiar with them will see them. See below for a brief explanation of each item.
1. Comment on which you take.
I enjoy knowing which icons are liked by others. I like to compare your favorites with my favorites, and it helps me learn what categories, and styles are most appealing. That information helps me plan what types of icons to make in the future.
2. Credit [eyesthatslay] in keywords/comments.
This type of crediting will show up on your user pic page, and is the easiest place for other people to see who's credited for making the icon. It is how I prefer to be credited, even though I tag my icons. For a detailed post on why I request credit for my icon work, and how to credit correctly at LiveJournal, click here.
3. Don't hotlink.
LiveJournal has policies against hotlinking. See LiveJournal's Infomation and Abuse Report Forms. Hotlinking is theft of my bandwidth, which I pay for. Hotlinking/remote linking/direct linking images or icons from other's sites or journals, is universally considered stealing across the internet. For an detailed post on what hotlinking is, and why it is wrong, click here.
4. Don't modify.
I do the work on these icons, and I try to achieve a certain style or feel to them. Altering them is disrespectful of that work. Also, all my icons are tagged with my user name, which is not to be removed.
5. Don't redistribute.
Don't take my icons and repost them at other icon blogs, icon galleries/sites. I've had major problems with Xanga users taking my icons without permission, and reposting them hotlinked, and without credit. If you'd like to refer or recommend my icons, feel free to post a link to my icon post.
6. Nominations are welcome.
It's always a wonderful surprise when someone has been kind enough to nominate my icons for contests or awards. If you've nommed me, and I'm not aware of it, thank you. :)
Why do you tag your icons with your name?
I decided to tag my icons as a last resort, because of widespread hotlinking, and non-crediting of my work at Xanga and other sites. It was the best solution to both problems. For a more detailed explaination behind my decision, click here.
Is it ok to remove your tags or change you icons?
No. I choose to tag my icons for reasons explained above, and my icon work is meant to be as it is shown. Please do not change or modify my icons in any way.
Are all of your icons tagged with your name?
Yes, it's a decision I feel strongly about.
Since you tag all your icons anyway, do I still have to credit you?
Yes, please. The tag is discreet, and a last resort. I prefer to be credited in keywords, as asked.
Do you take icon requests?
I don't do requests because of time constraints. If I don't make the type(s) or theme(s) of icons you're looking for, do a search of your particular interest here. Mostly likely you'll find icon communites that cater to the theme you're looking for.
Are the icons shown on your sidebar snaggable?
Yes, they are. All usage requests apply to them as well.
If I take icons from several different posts, should I comment on each one?
I appreciate knowing which icons you snag from each set, but if you'd rather do one comment letting me know you snagged multiple themes that's ok too.
Where do you archive your icons?
I keep a list by theme in my memories here on LJ. You can also click my icons tag to see only my icon related posts.
Do you mind if I use your icons as my avatar/user pic on another site or blog, other than LiveJournal?
I don't mind at all, as long as my usage policies are followed.
Do you mind if I friend you?
Not at all. Feel free to friend me whether you like keeping up with my icons, or reading my life ramblings. If you'd like me to friend you back, leave a comment here letting me know.
Where do you get your images/screencaps for your icons?
I use some of my own personal photos, and make many of my own screencaps using PowerDVD, but I also use images from the following sites.
BtVS & Angel Images:
Screencappiness - BtVS, Angel, & Alias
BuffyGuide.com
Seasonal, Holiday, & Other Images:
Image After - Image & Texture Database
Getty Images Stock Xchng - Free Stock Photos
Pixel Perfect Digital Corbis Images
Alamy Images.
Where do you get your brushes/gradients/textures?
Adobe Studio Exchange
photoshopsupport.com
500ml.org
Seishido
44 Suburbia
Damned In Black
Where do you get the fonts you use on your icons?
All the fonts I use on my icons are either standard Windows fonts, or free fonts I've found around the web.
What graphic program do you use?
Adobe Photoshop Elements 2.0
How do you make your own screencaps?
With Power DVD
Do you have any icon making tutorials?
No, I don't. You can check out
icon_tutorial for lots of wonderful step by step tutorials for various icon effects.
Where did you get your layout?
I obtained the layer code at
s2howto, and created my header banner myself. I barely get by with html, so I'm no layout wiz by any means.
Do you do layouts for other people?
No, I barely get by doing my own layout, so I'm not the right person to go to for layout help. See
s2howto for layout help and info.
Do you take requests for headers, or backgrounds for other people?
No, I don't.
Do you make mood themes, and where did you get the one you're using?
No, I don't make mood themes. You can go here and do an interest search for mood themes, and mostly likely find mood theme communites, or users that make them. I always credit my current mood theme at the bottom of my user info page.