There is nothing wrong with people converting for they're own use. If they post it as their own, however, then we Jafo them.

From Webster's:

Jafo (jah' foh) v. 1. to drop a huge legal sounding email on some unsuspecting ripper's head. 2. to stalk message boards zapping the uncouth and/or unlettered

I was using the first definition.

The thing that gets me is that a skinner, who understands about skinner's rights would know better than to post something they did that way. But this application would seem to attract a lot of the sort who don't have the skill or patience to make a skin and see a way of uploading something in their name. It just seemed too easy, to me. Instant knowledge with no learning curve, no explanation of ethics.. nothing at all.

This is strange.... I just dl BBX Winamp because someone said they couldn't and I wanted to test the link. This converter popped up and automatically converted the BBX skin to windows media. I looked and it is in there! I have never used the converter, I was only looking at it.

Here is the screenshot of my port... just look in the reply. (SHEESH) http://groups.msn.com/morphingpuppycom/general.msnw?action=get_message&mview=0&ID_Message=29&all_topics=0

Maybe I should change my nick to 'The AccidentalSkinner!

I wouldn't sweat it GM, its not like you posted it or as a port or took credit for it. I port stuff all the time for my own use, but you'll never see it unless I get permission, and neither will you. I think Voo knows that.

Thanks. I was feeling kind of guilty.

Hmmmm.... I can't find the skin files, so maybe they hid them. That is good to know. Thanks....

...... me not finding files on my own computer is nothing new though...

I went and checked it out and Microsoft has placed in the instructions the Information at the end of my comment, it's realy up to each Individual on how honest he is and if he has any respect for other skinners. If you convert them for your own personal use I see no harm in that, however if you convert the skinners work and post it somewhere as your work then that's not right and you should be held acountable. I personaly value you skinners, you do something that I can only do in a limited capacity and myself and my desktop thank you.

Microsofts information:
If you are not the creator of the skin, you may need to get permission from the owner/authorized licensor of the skin before importing. In general, any unauthorized use of content without explicit permission and/or valid license may be a violation of the law, including U.S. and International copyright laws.

Yeah. We already knew that. It is just that if MS has a WA skin converter in WMP then one might feel it is OK to rip skins that way. That and if other companies are going to do the same then skinner's rights will be violated easier than ever.

Yes. I am not even doubting it will effect this site. How about other sites? That's where we find the rips. But your last point made me not to worry about it too much.

but it was a Winamp2 skin you converted (Winamp3 can use Winamp2 skins as well).

i doubt that converter can convert Winamp3 skins. all the Maki scripting and that WMP only supports 1-bit masks makes this rather impossible i think. anybody knows if it also converts Winamp3?

I doubt WMP can convert Winamp 3 skins, just as I doubt the reverse could be done as well.
BTW: what do you mean WMP only suports 1 bit masks? I've used PNGs in WMP with full 8 bit transparency, and I am quite sure as well I've seen gradients of white used for 8 bits transparency masks as well.