FAQs

Site Questions

What is “Reading Time” based on?

Oh, you noticed that you read faster than what we wrote down huh? Well that makes sense. Our reading time is based on 300 words a minute.

According to several studies, the average reading speed for adults in the United States is around 200-300 words per minute (wpm). However, this can vary depending on factors such as the difficulty of the text, reading comprehension level, and individual reading habits.

There is no single reading speed that applies to all age groups but, research has shown that speed increases with age and experience.

The average reading speed for children in elementary school (ages 6-10) is around 100-200 wpm. By middle school (ages 11-13), the average reading speed increases to around 200-250 wpm. In high school (ages 14-18), the average reading speed further increases to around 250-300 wpm.

For adults, the average reading speed can range from 200-400 wpm depending on their age, education level, and reading experience. Some studies have also shown that older adults tend to read more slowly than younger adults, with average reading speeds ranging from 150-250 wpm for those over the age of 65.

So hopfully, that answers why we choose 300 wpm as our benchline… ya smarty-pants.

What does “Public Domain” mean?

In the context of intellectual property, the term “public domain” refers to works that are not protected by copyright law and are freely available for use by anyone, without permission or payment.

When a work is in the public domain, it means that the copyright on the work has expired or the author has intentionally waived their copyright, making it available for anyone to use, copy, distribute, and adapt without restriction.

It’s important to note that the rules for determining when a work enters the public domain can vary by country and over time, so it’s important to check the laws in your jurisdiction before using a work you believe is in the public domain.

Determining whether a work is in the public domain can be complex and requires knowledge of copyright law. Here are a few ways to help you determine whether something is in the public domain or not:

  1. Date of publication: If a work was published before 1926 in the United States, it is generally considered to be in the public domain.
  2. Date of copyright: If a work was published between 1926 and 1977 in the United States, it may be in the public domain if the copyright was not renewed or if it was not properly registered.
  3. Copyright expiration: In the United States, a work created on or after January 1, 1978, is protected by copyright for the life of the author plus 70 years.
  4. Government works: In the United States, works created by the federal government are generally in the public domain.
  5. Creative Commons licenses: Some creators choose to release their works under Creative Commons licenses, which allow others to use the works under certain conditions.