Yes, of course we're still friends...but I really have to wonder about your comment saying that you "know" that I am "among the people who voraciously download all the free stolen copyrighted material that people post on various site."

First, I don't know how you would "know" what I download and "know" how much I download from anywhere. Are you working for a different spy agency than I'm working for? That's really wild.

I don't think I download any more stuff than anyone else does.

And when you say that you have seen me "thanking several people for posting links to archives of material stolen from the members' sites of large sites" that's also very far out.

Please note that offering thanks to someone who posts a link to a site with pictures is very different from offering thanks to someone who I know has posted a bunch of stolen pictures.

I'm sensitive to copyright issues...I work with copyright issues every day...and I am not a guy who willfully takes advantage of copyright thefts. That's not me.

I mean...maybe you think everyone who follows a link to a picture archive takes note of all the photos there and then searches everywhere to find out the copyright holder...that's ridiculous. I don't have time for that, and I don't know anyone else who does.

I can guarantee that I have never, ever used a stolen password for a site...and I have never, ever gone to a web page where I knew the photos were "stolen" and then voraciously downloaded the pictures. Never.

Those accusations are out of line, Mike...and I'm surprised you would say something like that. Maybe you became angry when I criticized your "free tour"...I don't know...but my criticism still stands.

That doesn't mean I think your site is unworthy of paying to see...it just means that I was feeling frustrated at not being able to get a feel for what it is that you're selling...that's all.

I'm sorry if you took it the wrong way....but please...don't start grouping me in with copyright thieves. I've been, and still am, a paid member of several SF sites...I don't have to go around stealing copyrighted photos.

So yes...you asked if "still friends?" and my answer is yes...for almost 20 years now...yes. But I wish you would be more careful with these accusations, please. Thank you.