[Shambles]

After a few recent comments made on the public forum, and in response to the odd () PM, I'm asking what the consensus is with regards our swear filter.

Some words are "pixellated" while others get substituted.

Remembering that this is a public forum, viewable in most parts of the world and with a mixed demographic, please cast your vote 

[AlanHo]

I voted to remove the swear filter in the belief that members are mature enough not to use profanity unecessarily and to avoid the most gross language at all times.

If anyone is guilty of posting excessive profanity - there is always the "Report" button for those offended to resort to - which gives moderators the opportunity to "have a word" with the filthy, disrespectful, moronic, uneducated clown who posted the stuff - or delete the post

[asathorny]

I was looking for the option, 'I don't care one way or tother'...   It's never affected me so for me you can leave it as is, but I ain't bovvered really.

[Shambles]

Votes are anonymous, as with all polls on an SMF-driven forum. Should have clarified that.

[rustynutz]

Personally, I can't see the point of it when it doesn't stop the posting of offensive photos and youtube clips etc......

[Surferdude]

This is a particularly interesting topic and one I urge the admin not to make a decision on lightly.
Swear words don't offend me per se.
What does offend me is the manner in which they are used. Face to face, if you use certain words without the right facial expressions you are asking for a thumping. On the internet, even with the use of emoticons the real meaning can be lost, causing considerable "hurt"to someone on the receiving end.

There are two sayings I use to help judge whethe ror not someone is out of line.

1/ "Perception is reality".

2/ "Justice must not only be done, it must be seen to be done".

IMO if either of those sayings appear to be operative, then swearing (or, for that matter, racist or generally offensive behaviour) should be "managed".

So what I'm saying is, the swear filter seems to be working. Sure there are ways to get around it but people who do that are probably not ones we need on here.

Please note the above opinions are not necessarily those of the forum admin. Just mine.

And I try to err on the side of caution.

The forums works successfully. In fact it works brilliantly. No need to change it.

[bumpkin]

I'm with Trevor on this one, what we have works, if we need to look at individual words (such as what was mentioned yesterday) then we can amend the existing filters and delete or add to it as we feel appropriate.

PS I have a third saying

3/ "Justice must not only be done, it must be seen to be believed"

[beerman]

Personally I weigh up the need for profanity against the cost.

If you allow people to run off at the mouth (or should that be keyboard) then you need to have a line, over time that like will blur as people push against it. Most forums struggle with the line slipping over time, then realise when it it too late, causing argument and angst when the original standards are reapplied.

I am not a wowser by any lengths, and in fact would probably be regarded in some circumstances to be verbally loose.

I do however think that this place has been created primarily as a place to exchange information, and it would be a shame if even one person did not join or contribute because they were offended by the content (and worse still if that person was a Hyundai engineer etc). Especially since the use of profanity adds nothing to the post, and can be effectively expressed by the use of different words.

If you wished to loosen the standards in particular sections (jokes or vids for example) that could be achieved with a warning, that the section was more lightly moderated and language may offend. But for the sections where the primary objective is to share info on the I30 then standards should apply.

 

[Surferdude]

 

[AlanHo]

If you wished to loosen the standards in particular sections (jokes or vids for example) that could be achieved with a warning, that the section was more lightly moderated and language may offend. But for the sections where the primary objective is to share info on the I30 then standards should apply.

 

[Dazzler]

Thanks for that well worded opinion Beerman... Some very valid points there 

[2i30s]

I'm with leaving it as it is,and i swear fairly often.