Swearing

[THECORBYLOON]

On this site profanity is not allowed and there is an automatic filter that blocks certain words but displays them as asterisks. There are also words which are "banned" because of a combination of letters within that word, "WRISTWATCH" used to be censored for a while. Folk use profanities using asterisks but it is obvious to EVERYBODY what the word is. If I were to write the F-word (or worse) in full it gets censored and replaced wi asterisks. If I replace the middle two letters wi "**," it goes up on screen-where's the logic? There is no watershed on a site accessible to all ages, at any time any place in the world.

ABE I know you rely on us to report offenders but I have a suggestion. We ALL know the words that are causing offence and there is no justification for their use. Instead of censoring the words (including the ones using asterisks or symbols,) stop the entire post from appearing. The ABers who are in the habit of using profanities will soon learn not to do so.

[smudge]

What a brilliant idea TCL.

At least that way, it will make the AB user wonder why their post has been deleted and will also make them think before they post in the future.

[Dakota]

I am in full support of this idea too TCL :)

[SteveD]

This would only work if the "offending" poster is notified of why their post has been blocked. They can then re-word it.

If a poster innocently uses words such as "wristwatch", "Scunthorpe"or "Dick van Dyke" (possibly 2 "offences" there - I'll find out when I click Submit.), they will not understand why their post is immediately banned.

[SteveD]

Whew!

[Kerplunk]

I think the idea is a load of ******. How can you possibly ***** a ****** of the whole post.

Only joking...great idea.

[smudge]

That's also a good idea SteveD.

On submitting - a short note popping up asking the poster to rephrase the Q/A perhaps?

Would that be too technically difficult though Ab ed?

[AB Editor]

Hi All,

It is a very good idea and I will run it past the Heavies.

Members do have the option of reviewing their Question before it is submitted, where instead of swear words, you can clearly see the astericks. People who choose to submit after viewing their astericked post, do so because they don't care they are being naughty. We of course have no control over that.

Oh the freedom the internet brings....

AB ED

[woofgang]

absolutely agreed. well done TCL

[THECORBYLOON]

Thanks for that ABE.

PS, what's an "asterick?"

[Robinia]

Great idea TCL!!

We all have a curse to ourselves I'm sure but there's no need for it on here, asterisked or not.

[snappythe4th]

What I don't understand is the favouritism with certain posters. I got upset after 2 awful videos were posted on this site.

Now they were removed and I was banned for getting upset, and the poster of the videos has been allowed to stay.

And they regularly make deflammatory comments about me, although I have never complained or responded and they get clean away with it.

AB Ed - Get some fairness here, the joke is wearing thin!

[january_bug]

snappy - were you removed for being upset, or for the way you expressed your upset and the comments you made about the person who posted!?

I'm guilty of swearing at times, but I agree that it would be a good idea.

gotta run -oops!

[snappythe4th]

See janbug, that's what I don't get.

If you don't swear. You get off! Simple as that...

[january_bug]

snappy - my point was that whilst "profane" is an option when reporting, so is "abusive", perhaps you were guilty under the other, in the eyes of ABE. I'm only putting ideas on the table, not suggesting my own opinion as I really don't remember what was said.

[snappythe4th]

...so you agree that the person I have a problem with still makes comments regularly about me and although I don't respond, they get off - That that's fair.

I've no respect for you now.

Find out both sides of the story, then criticise me.

[january_bug]

I agree with no such thing!!

I quite CLEARLY stated that I don't remember the situaiton, so am not stating an opinion. Please reread my last post again.

Where on EARTH did all that venom come from!?!

I don't want to find out both sides of the story, and I don't want to criticise you. I don't want to get involved in other people's fights - I have ones of my own to worry about.

I honestly wasn't having a go. I was just saying what MIGHT be the case in the eyes of ABE.

I'm sorry that you felt the need to jump on me like that, and that you feel you have no respect for me now, just because I sepculated about how others might have felt, whilst clearly stating that this was not my own opinion and that I wasn't stating an opinion for the simple reason that I don't know the facts. You have got mad at me and demanded that I find out the facts before judging, when I clearly stated that I wasn't judging BECAUSE I didn't know the facts. I'm SO confused by your outburst.