First, open source is a licensing and distribution model for
source code making up software applications. Since you aren't looking for computer programming, I'd recommend not using that metaphor. I realize you want something similar (
"free beer") but you said you're not finding anything useful when searching Google, and if open source is part of your search query, that's likely why.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Towhid
I want to start a portal website on the topic of global warming.
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Why? There are 2 possible motivations here, and which one of them people think is responsible for your site, is going to have a tremendous impact on whether those people are willing to help you. You might be launching the site because (1) climate change is a problem that you would like to take a part in solving, or because (2) this seems like a quick way to make an AdSense buck. If it's #1, you might find like minded volunteers. If it's #2, the donors you're asking for might not be forthcoming. I'm going to assume #1, and give you my advice.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Towhid
Since it's a portal website I will be importing most of my content from external sources. Now there's only one problem...I have no idea where to get these various articles I need.
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If they're already available from other sources, they aren't terribly valuable to you. Anything on Wikipedia is fair game. You can grab and republish their global warming article, with or without any changes you like. But then you need to ask yourself why your readers would go to your site and not Wikipedia. There can be good answers to that question - and you need to make sure they apply to your site!
Quote:
Originally Posted by Towhid
I have already considered finding articles that I like and contacting their authors via email and asking for their permissison. I will ofcourse state them as the authors and other than changing formatting will not alter the writings in any way. I might even consent to post a link to their website if it is of any value.
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Now you're in a bit of a bind, because you have a potential conflict of interests. If it's of any value means if your users can benefit, but on the other hand, how many people will agree to let you publish their hard work, if you tell them you won't even give them so much as a link in exchange?
Put yourself on the other end of the question, and imagine being asked.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Towhid
Is there any one place where there is an archive of free opensource articles that anyone can just post on their websites? Also is there such a place for photos (getty images is a bit expensive to say the least)?
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You can grab from all the usual article dump sites and the like, but, again, you need to provide something of value to your users, and that generally means something they can't get elsewhere. That might be a singularly wonderful collection of articles, that might be all kinds of things. But simply having files with lots of words won't do it.
