Re: Business Question

I will post this last message regarding ethics, but I should probably move
my discussions regarding ethics to the "HWG-Business" list.  I don't want to
continue intentionally posting off-topic :)

Nathan I think you brought up a good issue off of my message regarding
ethics.  I have been trying to find on the net somewhere, "Website Designer
Ethics".  But I have been unable to find any.  I think this is due to the
fact that every website designer is different.  Every designer has differing
morals and ethics.

I personally have made my contracts very tough when it comes to the
restricting the types of websites that I will design or maintain.  The
following is a short excerpt from my contract:

"Examples of unacceptable content or links: Pirated software, Hacker
programs or archives, Warez sites, Nude art and/or photography, Drug abuse
or alcohol abuse promotion....   Your site cannot promote demonic, occult,
satanic, new age or anti-Christian values or beliefs; cannot promote
pro-choice or pro-abortion views; cannot promote gay or lesbian lifestyle
views; cannot promote a distorted view or faulty interpretation of the Holy
Bible.... You cannot have links to any sites with offending material on them
or any of the material listed above.... Advantage Pro Technologies decides
what is offending to our family and our church.... Advantage Pro
Technologies reserves the right to refuse or discontinue service for any
reason at our discretion."

This is just an example of the restrictions that I have in place, regarding
the types of people I will work for.  I once had an innocent little art
store that I did work for.  One day the owners sent me some links to some
nude art websites (rather violent nude art if you know what I mean) and he
was rather upset with me when I refused to put them up.  I quickly severed
that business relationship.

Brandon

----- Original Message -----
From: "Nathan" <natelyle(at)chartermi.net>

This isn't *directly* related, but kinda is I suppose. (And other people
have already said the only thing I would have anyway.) But, I had thoughts
along these lines a while back when I was approached by a member of the
Arian Church (or a member of some part of it anyway) to redesign their site
and work with them to make it better. I was very confident I *could* do
that, the site they had was very unprofessional and sloppy. I actually
spent a week or two debating whether or not to take the job. I don't
believe that as a web designer I have to "buy into" whatever
message/product a site conveys, my job is just to make the best
presentation/function that I can. But, I found I had to draw the line with
the Arian folks and refuse the job because I didn't think I would be happy
with myself if I helped promote a message of hate.

HWG hwg-techniques mailing list archives, maintained by Webmasters @ IWA