Word Filtering

Do you filter Swear words on your forum? Are they important to do so, or you dont mind them?

Well for me its both, I use filters because I want to keep this forum as professional as possible but I dont mind people using them, unless they are using it in a bad way or calling someone something...

 

No I don't, I just edit them when I see them in posts

 

I just filter basic swear words, and edit out the rest.

 

No, it's too much of a hassle. But I do make it so that using vulgarity towards certain individuals and ways is prohibited in the rules.

 

Agreed. Well said. We have a strict policy against using it towards others.

 

If you find swear words offensive, you don't really belong on my forums. If someone wants to use a certain word it's not my job to tell them to clean up their language. That said, no I don't filter words.

 

It dosent really depend on you, its depends on the type of forum you run. If this was my gaming forum, than I wouldnt care, but this is my webmaster forum so it does matter.

 

Digital Point is one of the largest webmaster forums out there and they don't censor jack. I think it just depends on that admin's beliefs and expected age group.

 

Well yea, thats wrong of them then.. because they should as a business type forum. Dosent matter how big they are. I just filter the basic words.

 

I agree. It all depends on the targeted audience of your forum and what you thimk is appropriate.

 

Agreed. Nicely explained.

 

I can tell you this, ProphpBB DOES NOT censor anything, it is left up to the moderators discretion to leave it there or remove it & warn the user or not, etc.

 

Due to the nature of my forum (debate), I've censored the common swear words. I do have a rule which says everyone must be respected regardless of views so it would be covered if someone was swearing at someone else.

 

I don't filter anything, the Internet is like a public domain where you should be able to say what you think..

 

Not when is something very rude and its directed toward someone else, and especially not on a professional forum.

 

No, I don't bother with the filter. They're easy to evade and if someone isn't mature enough to not use swears every other word, they surely aren't the member I want on my forum. A swear occasionaly is no big deal, we've all had those times when we need one to vent.

 

Couldn't have said that better myself

 

Nothing wrong with the filter but they are easily circumnavigated. Self censoring and swapping letters, or putting in asterisks, are too easy to do, and very hard to auto-censor. You have to be vigilant and immediately stop any attempts to get around your rules.

 

All of these are true and acceptable, but there are also auto "censored" options that can be added to the forums. I should know. I'm a part of several where I have tried to enter a swear word and after it posted, it comes up as <censored>. This I like and should be used on the more professional forums that want to avoid flaming and attacks on other members.

 

I allow my members to swear, because we're not a "kids community", where a community of teens and adults, so thus, why limit the way they can talk
I cuss as well, so I lead by example.