What parts of code are ok to "steal" Options

[esksmith]

I'm not sure this is a kosher question and I'm also not sure I'm putting it in the right place. If I have broken any rules, I am terribly sorry. I need etiquette help.

When creating a layout for any site (MySpace, Blogger, LiveJournal, etc.), what parts of code are okay to "steal" (I prefer the word "borrow", but I have to be honest and call it what it is)? I mean, if the background, buttons, colors, links, and everything else is yours either through customization or creation, is it acceptable to use another person's code so that you don't have to type it all out? I know that sounds incredibly lazy. And I know there are people who will probably want to have my head. But I've turned the situation around on myself and I honestly think that as long as the person used all their own images and I couldn't SEE that the coding was mine, I wouldn't care. Let's face it, a link to "pics" in MySpace is going to be the same whether you type it or I type it! The only difference is the ID.

So...at the risk of alienating myself...should I just type it myself, save it, and have a clear conscience? Or can I paste what I've already copied and say to heck with it....also with a clear conscience?

Please, please don't tell me to go jump off a building because I'm a horrible person. A simple, "No. You really should just type it yourself" will suffice.

And thanks!

[Medi]

Header codes, some sites have put everything in their header, as far as keywords and meta, where to put the favicon, etc, etc. I think that would be the only thing that would be okay, because it's going to be the same, and it's much easier to 'steal' someone else's and change it for your purpose. It's not like your actually regurgitated the same exact layout code, tweaking it for your purpose. But you should always give credit, where credit is deserved. ^_^