Technically, if not legally, all website designs are open source, except for the source Photoshop files.Edit: Yes, I'm sure nobody here EVER looks at other websites for ideas...
I would venture to say that most of the really good designs are regularly posted to both sites. I tend to appreciate OSWD more because there are a higher percentage of high quality designs there. OWD tends to allow a lot more designs in and sometimes the aesthetic quality is less desirable. Either way, all of these sites tend to be a great addition to beautifying the web in one way or another, generally by encouraging people to avoid built-in templates from applications like FrontPage.However, I always think these open templates and designs are better used as a guidline on making your own site based on the designs shown. Often times too many people rely on these sites as places to get a complete design. It can be done - but I generally find that hybrids based on the designs come out the best. This is coming from a long time user of the open web design community and a more recent contributor. Just my thoughts. Not even worth a penny.
No, it won't put designers out of work. But it will weed out the weak and overpriced designers. As with everything else in our free market economy, it will force better quality at lower prices.
if internet==web2.0, then freeware=="oopen source"...only not.Seems like everybody is just jumpin on board, with no real understanding of the Open Source Movement. Open Source is more than free, and more that displaying your source code. It is also about a collaborative working environment towards a common goal... oh f**k it... prolly get buried anyway.
For-profit websites won't use these because they're not allowed to? I call B.S.. A company cares about the bottom line and if they can take something free, tweak it a bit to convince themselves it's not stealing, then they'll use it. Check out <a class="user" href="http://www.panic.com/extras/ripoff/">http://www.panic.com/extras/ripoff/</a> where people have ripped off the Panic Transmit logo.
'put designers out of work' so who makes these templates?? robots?& also design is not just limited to the web.. have a look around, it is everywhere!! & i (as a designer) am forever busy!
Welcome to Snotty Designers vs. Eager LearnersTo the Snotty Designers: stop condescending. Were you born with your unbelievable talent, or did someone actually invest in you, encourage you.... did you ever grab the source ad start playing with it? These templates are a decent place to start and build off of - at least to learn a few tricks.To the Eager Learners: building off of others good ideas is a great place to start, but slapping anything pre-made on a site without making it your own is what will make you a better designer... nutshell: decent templates, but restrictive still.
armbarJun 23, 2006
Technically, if not legally, all website designs are open source, except for the source Photoshop files.Edit: Yes, I'm sure nobody here EVER looks at other websites for ideas...
wildleafJun 23, 2006
I would venture to say that most of the really good designs are regularly posted to both sites. I tend to appreciate OSWD more because there are a higher percentage of high quality designs there. OWD tends to allow a lot more designs in and sometimes the aesthetic quality is less desirable. Either way, all of these sites tend to be a great addition to beautifying the web in one way or another, generally by encouraging people to avoid built-in templates from applications like FrontPage.However, I always think these open templates and designs are better used as a guidline on making your own site based on the designs shown. Often times too many people rely on these sites as places to get a complete design. It can be done - but I generally find that hybrids based on the designs come out the best. This is coming from a long time user of the open web design community and a more recent contributor. Just my thoughts. Not even worth a penny.
right75Jun 23, 2006
No, it won't put designers out of work. But it will weed out the weak and overpriced designers. As with everything else in our free market economy, it will force better quality at lower prices.
sembetuJun 23, 2006
if internet==web2.0, then freeware=="oopen source"...only not.Seems like everybody is just jumpin on board, with no real understanding of the Open Source Movement. Open Source is more than free, and more that displaying your source code. It is also about a collaborative working environment towards a common goal... oh f**k it... prolly get buried anyway.
Closed AccountJun 23, 2006
For-profit websites won't use these because they're not allowed to? I call B.S.. A company cares about the bottom line and if they can take something free, tweak it a bit to convince themselves it's not stealing, then they'll use it. Check out <a class="user" href="http://www.panic.com/extras/ripoff/">http://www.panic.com/extras/ripoff/</a> where people have ripped off the Panic Transmit logo.
bradleylandJun 23, 2006
I see nothing in the licensing they reference to prevent commercial use. See the string of comments above yours.
phidongJun 23, 2006
Popdmb, people on digg automatically assume that every link is spam. :(
giveaphukJun 24, 2006
'put designers out of work' so who makes these templates?? robots?& also design is not just limited to the web.. have a look around, it is everywhere!! & i (as a designer) am forever busy!
brookmanDec 28, 2006
Welcome to Snotty Designers vs. Eager LearnersTo the Snotty Designers: stop condescending. Were you born with your unbelievable talent, or did someone actually invest in you, encourage you.... did you ever grab the source ad start playing with it? These templates are a decent place to start and build off of - at least to learn a few tricks.To the Eager Learners: building off of others good ideas is a great place to start, but slapping anything pre-made on a site without making it your own is what will make you a better designer... nutshell: decent templates, but restrictive still.
brookmanDec 28, 2006
Does anyone know of any Public Domain templates to build on?
flashvillageMay 8, 2007
I've published a bunch of opensource flash templates at <a class="user" href="http://www.flashvillage.com">http://www.flashvillage.com</a> if anyone's interested.
flashchatterAug 22, 2008
Website templates from <a class="user" href="http://www.layoutspack.com/">http://www.layoutspack.com/</a> also look very nice, that's a pity they are not totally free!