I've often discovered after downloading a zipped freebie here in Renderosity's Free Stuff that that some of them don't include a readme. Just the item being downloaded and nothing else. It would be helpful if a readme file was required in all zips being uploaded. I understand that freebies are now being "approved" before appearing in Free Stuff. Are the zips being checked for a readme file? It makes it difficult to contact the originator of the freebie (or even know who the originator was) without some documentation with the file that gives terms of use and contact info. There have been times when I wanted to contact an artist and found no readme, then when I went back into the Free Stuff to check the download page, I can't for the life of me find it again, even with a search. I've ended up deleting wonderful things because I wasn't sure if I could use them for commercial projects or not. Just a suggestion. Melanie

And while I'm on the topic, lol, it would be nice if the author's terms of use were clear. Some are sort of ambiguous as to whether they can be used for commercial projects or not. I've seen some that say something such as, "Use this for anything you want, just don't sell it." That doesn't tell me anything. Does that mean I can use it for commercial projects, just don't sell the object? Or does that mean don't sell the renders I've used it in? It would be helpful if folks would just say something like, "You may use this item in your commercial renders, but please don't sell or redistribute the object." Thanks, Melanie

I don't think I've downloaded many items from free stuff that didn't have a readme file in them, but then again, I haven't downloaded a huge amount. Something that you might find helpful is to only download items that say they are for commercial usage under their thumbnail. I install those into my main library, and any that are for non-commercial usage into my downloads library(I'm using Poser 5), so that I don't mix them up. I even have two seperate folders I initially download them to...one for commercial usage, one for non-commercial usage, so that when I install them, I haven't lost track of what can and can't be used. A little time consuming, but considering the number of readme files you end up with(often having to rename them, as well) after a couple of years of buying and collecting, it's easier than trying to keep a log of them....though I keep meaning to do that, lol. Just a suggestion, hope you find it helpful. :)

Personally I would also vote for always including readmes. It protects the freestuff contributor and aids the users, when they need to know if they can redistribute or modify the file.

I've come to the point where I won't download anything that isn't for commerical anymore. But once in a while I find a file that had said Commercial on the thumbnail, but come to find out there's no readme. I just like the security of having that readme as an assurance that it really was for commercial use. There's always the possibility that the person who uploaded it clicked the wrong button when uploading it and really meant it to be noncommerical only. Melanie

"There's always the possibility that the person who uploaded it clicked the wrong button when uploading it and really meant it to be noncommerical only." Good point. :)

Because it's free, it's realy up to that member if they have a readme or not. We do however suggest it.