Hey Brad et. all -
I've seen countless threads where posts were edited/deleted for language content, and in some cases, for language that we allow on public TV and radio. So many posts, that we even have emoticons for it! Now I know its a family site and everything, and thats cool- I'm sure it helps cut back on a lot of bad blood btwn members if nothing else. But what about this - back in the day, I remember most internet providers had a "net nanny" thing, so that children couldn't access certain content. they even make cable boxes that instantly edit out swear words on TVs so the television in the kids room won't play Scarface in its beautifully vulgar entirety. Now, isn't there some way to make the language filters only filter language on computers being used by children? I mean, to get on the net, the kid has to sign in- if his parents care about what he sees on the net, they'll have it on restricted access- the kid comes to this site, he can see all the content, but the swear words are edited out. Eh? Eh? and moderators, I'm sure you're more than just a little tired of editing posts and PMing people, many of whom didn't even realizing they were swearing! I mean, sure the f-word is a no brainer, thats getting edited out- but the wh- word that rhymes with oar? the s word that rimes with cut? even the simpsons get away with more than this site.

 

You'll have to take that up with the FCC. This site will remain squeaky clean. If you wish to curse, please do so on someone else's forums.

 

I don't even care about this. Wasn't my point in that thread.

However, I do have to ask: Why?

 

Because while I may curse, I don't do it in your house, and you won't do it in mine.

 

I'm with Brad on this, I want this site to be as clean as the day it started
It gives this site integrity and that little extra something that makes it special.

 

So you are saying that instead of allowing some of these words, you would rather have the following happen:
1) person posts, not knowing about the language filter
2) person sees word is blocked, edits post to bypass filter
3) moderator is alerted to the post, and must edit the bypass out of the post
4) moderator PMs user about bypassing the filter

Not to mention that some of the words blocked are not considered to be "curse" words.

And are you opposed to a language filter that the member themselves would be able to turn off for them personally? Have it on by default, and if someone chooses to realize that its really not that bad, they can turn it off for themselves personally?

Again, I should state that I don't care either way, and it doesn't really bother me. I don't swear much at all IRL, and many of my forums that I used to run were for kids and had the same type of language filter. However, I think it is crazy to have this be such an issue (on a site where most of the members are 16-18+) and then let completely disruptive things go.

 

I haven't seen any modifications to the software that would allow members to turn the filters on and off as they wish. And again, if you or anyone else doesn't agree with the language filters, please feel free to practice your right to free speech elsewhere.

 

Ben, Thank you for bringing this to the proper forum. Brads immediate response should assure you that he reads this forum.

As for the net nanny, it unfortunately will censor words that should not be censored out, and can be far more restrictive than you would imagine. We had to remove the software from my kids computers, they couldnt even research for projects or book reports. I just track thier activity, and then block things I find questionable.

As a mod, I dont mind watching for this stuff. The thing is, this is Brads site. He has a vision for what he wants for this site, and more than 6000 members call this site home. I think Brad has hit a home run with his vision of a family site, and his growing membership numbers would only support that.

 

Also, I've got far more praise than criticism for running a clean site.

 

oh sure, side with the site god... j/k

well, Brad -I'm not suggesting it be done just for the fun of cursing - I'm not 7, I don't get a thrill out of saying curse words. But what I mean is this - there was a thread by a guy who found it funny that his wife had nicknamed his car "the little sl**" now, that wasn't really offensive (at least no one complained or said they thought it was rude) and another person responded, saying his wife had a similar nickname for his car, the "wh***" and that poor stinker was chastised for using a swear word when he wasn't even aware it was a swear word on this site. kudos on running a clean site, its obviously worked (number one most popular mustang forum, isn't it?) and I understand the logic behind the filters. It justs seems a bit excessive - at least don't scold ppl when they don't even know they're doing something wrong! and posting the nickname your wife has for the car is waaaaay different than one member swearing at another. one's funny as heck, the other is unneccesary and the reason the filters are there.
P.S. - don't get me started on the FCC - the fact that it even exists is a slap in the face of our constitution.
PPS - Brad, 's your site, do with it what you want, I'm just throwing my suggestions out there

 

I'll look, I know it exists.

Common misconception. Free speech doesn't exist on a site you don't run.

Again, all I can say is "why devote your attention to this and ignore other things?" The moderators would be better served not running around trying to chase down people saying "s*ck"

 

case in point- I was going to write "poor bas****" about the guy who was chastised in the previous thread. then, i thought better of it (why bother, it would surely be edited out), so instead i wrote "poor su*ker) and THAT didn't make it thru the language filter? (it came out as "poor stinker") thats just a little restrictive - no one could reasonably find "poor su*ker" offensive. in case anyone is wondering, its suppossed to be a "c"

 

You can't even say "that s*cks", it becomes "that stinks". I agree with you there, bas**** is actually a proper word, but he can do whatever he wants.

Wow, I certainly posted in this thread a lot for something I don't even care about. I think I've been hit by the filter once in my 1750+ posts. I guess I just got caught up in it from the other thread.

 

also, please don't be so dramatic with the "go elsewheres", Brad. If we wanted to go elsewhere, we would. I love this site, it has saved my butt a number of times and really been a help when I couldn't find the info I needed. But, this forum is called "site feedback and suggestions" so thats what we're doing- suggesting how we feel the site could be improved. theres no need to be angry with us for suggesting in the suggesting forum.

 

I think I got him mad with the other thread.

 

And Jess - yes, this quelms the doubts I never had that Brad reads what we post. However, I think if ppl see this thread, they will respond to it. this place has 6,000+ members, but i don't for a second believe that most of them, if given the option, would rather let some one else decide what they should be allowed to read or write. I think if ppl. notice this thread, and I hope they do, bc its not real noticable (i didn't even know this forum existed until you mentioned it to Grantsdale), they will say that they would rather decide for themselves what they can read or post. If you have no problems with it, I'd like to add a link on my sig to this thread, so that it might be a little more noticable. If you do, just take it off or PM me. I'm not trying to damage what you guys have created here, I just have to speak up when I see censorship. I'm hoping that Grantsdale can find these great modifications he's mentioned, and I hope they aren't expensive!

 

Hey Grantsdale - you don't have to be a victim of censorship for it to bother you. I've not been PM-ed once for language, and the two times I've been automatically edited were for the same word - I said the waiting for my car su*ks, and that the guy was a poor su*ker. thats it. I've been squeaky clean out of respect for Brad and his site, but I still don't like it and would like to see some change made like the mods you mentioned (sadly I know nothing about computers or the internet, at least not programming stuff)

 

The original poster was chastised for bypassing the language filters. By bypassing them you are purposefully typing a word you know would be edited out automatically differently, so as to "bypass" the filters. The second poster was not chastised but the mod who edited the post explained why he edited it out.

For example all of the instances of (vaccuum action) have been prime examples of bypassing the language filters, in this thread. When you bypass them, you are taking steps to break the rules. Thats what the orignal poster was being chastised for.

I would defer to Brad on the link to this thread. Seriously people, this really is not as big an issue as those in this thread are making of it. Of the 6000+ members on this site, we have... what, a maximum of 10 that may have issue? I dont see the need for it to be blown out of proportion.

 

Sigh ... we are discussing the filter in this thread, its hard to discuss it without bypassing it to show what we are talking about.

As far as "6000 members and 10 with an issue". First, 6000 registered members, yes, but how many have more than 1 post, and how many are still active. Second, I'd guess it will be a lot more than 10 that would like at least some lessening of the filter.

 

no, its not a big deal. after all, the point of this forum isn't to swear at each other, but to share info and opinions on the greatest cars on earth. I'm just saying, if all it takes is some little internet mod like the aforementioned ones, why would you want to limit what people can say or read? Then again, ppl viewing this thread - if you think I just have too much free time on my hands and think I'm a whiner who should shut the (can't say it) up, please say so. But when I can't even say that the wait "vaccuums", that just seems a little much. If you don't think we're capable of deciding what we should be able to say or read, then tell me so (not directed at you, Jess - i mean anyone)