Hi Petra:

This account seems rather unclear as well ...especially if the web-site manager attributes the message(s) to the author(s). So does the author own the content or does the web-site manager / owner (for these case)?

It is safe to say that asking for permission is always a safe bet (though the info. content can be conveyed by means of other/different words {and not infringe the copyright per se}...with attribution to the writer of course).

The other problem that I see in general for internet message boards is that someone (not on this board that I have seen) may repeat info. from a copyrighted document in a message causing possibly improper attribution as to whom said what....

With regards to scanning the internet for previous posts what I see, in general, is that people are human and make mistakes all the time. However, with google archiving the mistake can be relived at a later date with terrific clarity. Good thing that one is allowed to "nuke a post" which tends to suppress the message (but not entirely remove it).

I think it might be good, that in the histories of human relationships, that memories fade over time. But now with instant recall...hmmm that may refresh some unpleasant exchanges along the way... So it all depends on each person and how freely they post messages....

So far, so good...that's good.

.02