Forums | MacLife

Bren · 2009-03-21 12:41 pm

I've been wonderin' about this for quite a while now. I've drifted away and then returned to these forums a few times over the years, so I don't know when things changed or whether there was any debate about it.

I do recall that back when this was the MacAddict Forums, or at least for most of the time that it was the MAF, it was generally understood that instead of spelling out, say, the F-word, you would write f***, for example.

Just wondering how and why this changed. Though I am dirty-minded and evil, you'll notice that when I'm here, I tend to use the BSG-ism "frack" (or "frakk," if you like), rather than the actual F-word.

Again, for example.

Just a few minutes ago, I posted a response to that Summer Glau thread, and in it I used the word, "cum." It felt weird, though. I have no problem using much more colorful language in various settings and contexts...

But here? At the former MAF? It goes against whatever instinct I have towards respecting this place, its moderators, and the magazine's editors.

I'm not criticizing anybody for not having my instincts or hang-ups, mind you.

As I said, It's just somethin' I've wondered about...

Last edited by Bren (2009-03-21 12:42 pm)

user · 2009-03-21 1:11 pm

We haz word filters for the tender folks, so it's better to cuss away if you want to. *

*** is considered "filter-dodging".

justine · 2009-03-21 1:57 pm

Cursing has always been allowed here. That's why filters are in place. Now, if you're swearing just to swear, that's another story, and there's nothing more irritating than when posters try to get around the censors using words like f*&%. Either type the real word, or find a different word to use. People that don't want to see it will turn the censors on.

This is also not the forum to discuss this in.

Bren · 2009-03-21 2:20 pm

Oh, fiddlesticks!

ukimalefu · 2009-03-21 2:48 pm

Smurfing bullsmurf I say.

Fracai · 2009-03-21 4:42 pm

I've never understood why people think using something like "F-ing" or "F-word" makes it "OK". Everyone knows what you meant to say and at best, as Louis C K said, "all you managed to do is make me think it instead of hear it, you made me say it".

Even the speaker knows what they really said. I think the only effective filtering would replace it with a less "offensive" equivalent.

"You're smurfing stupid" -> "You're really stupid"
"You smurf" -> "You idiot"

But that would involve far more extensive processing and bring up further censoring issues.

Plus, I typically find it somewhat hilarious when people swear on the Internet. Just like in meat-life, it can either effectively emphasize your point, or make you look like a child. And the Internet swearing seems to trend towards the latter.

Last edited by Fracai (2009-03-21 4:43 pm)

resedit · 2009-03-21 8:54 pm

We can smurfing smurf here? Smurfing cool!

ScifiterX · 2009-03-21 9:06 pm

I should also point out we only allow the cursing in the text of the posts. We still ask you censor the images you post else they will get removed (probably with your ability to post here).

Bat · 2009-03-22 1:10 am

Bren wrote:
...It felt weird, though. I have no problem using much more colorful language in various settings and contexts...

But here? At the former MAF? It goes against whatever instinct I have towards respecting this place, its moderators, and the magazine's editors.

I'm not criticizing anybody for not having my instincts or hang-ups, mind you.

As I said, It's just somethin' I've wondered about...

Actually, Bren, I'm with you on this one. The tone has changed quite a bit over the years, and you can't exactly rate the place as family-friendly anymore.

If I had young kids, I doubt I'd want them here, especially when even forums like Unplugged go this way. And Justine, filters are no cure-all. Terms like those in this post come thru them exactly as written.

justine · 2009-03-22 6:00 pm

Bat, i have to admit, i haven't seen that thread and i do agree with you somewhat. However, no one has reported anything about that thread being controversial.

I also don't believe young kids belong in these forums at all, and a childrens forum was suggested but shot down because of legal liabilities.

Bat · 2009-03-23 7:47 am

We did, tho, have a recent complaint on those lines, about another Unplugged thread. Longtime, if not very prolific member.

mrreet2001 · 2009-03-23 8:02 am

I complained about that one too. big_smile

justine · 2009-03-23 10:09 am

Bat wrote:
We did, tho, have a recent complaint on those lines, about another Unplugged thread. Longtime, if not very prolific member.

Why are you comparing a posts about swearing to ones about pot use?

ukimalefu · 2009-03-23 10:28 am

justine wrote:
Bat wrote:
We did, tho, have a recent complaint on those lines, about another Unplugged thread. Longtime, if not very prolific member.
Why are you comparing a posts about swearing to ones about pot use?

From now on, we shall call it "wacky tobaccy" big_smile

mrreet2001 · 2009-03-23 10:35 am

justine wrote:
Bat wrote:
We did, tho, have a recent complaint on those lines, about another Unplugged thread. Longtime, if not very prolific member.
Why are you comparing a posts about swearing to ones about pot use?

sneaky Because both topics make the forum the opposite of family friendly.

At lease the swear words aren't blatantly illegal

justine · 2009-03-23 11:25 am

If the magazine editors have no problem with it, then members shouldn't either. If a thread about drug use bothers you, don't read it. If you don't like the swearing, turn the filters on. If your kid is going to be registered on the forums, check it out first and monitor what they read. It's really quite simple.

mrreet2001 · 2009-03-23 1:25 pm

justine wrote:
If the magazine editors have no problem with it, then members shouldn't either.

So does that mean we can talk about ripping dvds now?

Susie wrote:
you do realize we have how-tos on the site for ripping DVDs.

Strait from the editor's mouth.

rant:
And frankly the pot thread was just ridiculous ... It started out as a thread saying one of our own members was giving up his drug use ... and it turned into a smoke this no drink this I have this bong you have this grinder ... christ ... If it isn't against the rules so be but its still friggen rude. Come on the guy is trying to kick the smurf ... and we have users ... mods no less promoting drug use.

/rant

Why are you comparing a posts about swearing to ones about pot use?

You asked why the curse words were being compared to the pot thread ... I don't want to put words into Bat's mouth so take this as my opinion not his... I tried to answer it but I don't think you were getting the point of what I said. You stated no one complained about the swear words ... and well no one did until this tread ... but Bat did point out that someone in another thread did complain about the wholesomeness of this forum...

In this case I happen to agree that swearing should be allowed as thats the point of the censors ... but the question lies with in ... when people start questioning the wholesomeness of the forum should it be against the rules ... Should any thing else be against the rules?

Bren · 2009-03-23 2:18 pm

Aw, dang! I never even got through all the responses to that drug thread, and I'd been procrastinating about returning to it, just 'cause it seemed like getting through all those posts would be so much work.

I guess I can still read 'em, even though it's locked.

Bren · 2009-03-23 2:20 pm

"smurf, smurf-smurf! See, it didn't hurt anybody!"

-Eric Cartman

Bat · 2009-03-24 2:05 am

mrreet2001 wrote:
but Bat did point out that someone in another thread did complain about the wholesomeness of this forum...

Should any thing else be against the rules?

Yeah, that was pretty much the gist of the connection. And it does seem to be a rather considerable policy change from the days of Kirk and Niko et al, when I joined.

I think Susie took her response about as far as she could without interfering with the way the forums are currently moderated. Looking over everyone's shoulders in that way would likely add even more work to folks who have more than enough to do with lean 'n' mean Imagine's workload, especially after their recent job cuts.

I don't have young kids and am certainly no prude, but even I run with the filters on. I come here to relax and share enthusiasms, not cope with even more smurfitude. Life gives me plenty already.

And Bren, funny as SP is- you're in trouble if you think of Cartman as a font of wisdom. A time & a place, a season for everything... sometimes here ain't the place.

MysticCow · 2009-07-28 9:31 am

I miss the "intelligent word filter" that would turn whore into "nice lady" and smurf into...well, I can't remember that one. Any chance on getting that one back for a while?

edit--WHOA, whore is uncensored now???

Last edited by MysticCow (2009-07-28 9:32 am)

Nefarious · 2009-07-28 9:35 am

Mooooooooooooooooooooo

wink

General_K · 2009-07-28 10:02 am

Didn't the smurf filter once substitute "pc user" or something like that? lol

dv · 2009-07-28 1:27 pm

We still have profanity filters. shrug

Use 'em or not. Your call.

sturner · 2009-07-28 2:17 pm

frak 'n racken smurf. snog it all.

Forums | MacLife

#1 2009-03-21 12:41 pm

When, exactly, did it become OK to use dirty words here?

#2 2009-03-21 1:11 pm

Re: When, exactly, did it become OK to use dirty words here?

#3 2009-03-21 1:57 pm

Re: When, exactly, did it become OK to use dirty words here?

#4 2009-03-21 2:20 pm

Re: When, exactly, did it become OK to use dirty words here?

#5 2009-03-21 2:48 pm

Re: When, exactly, did it become OK to use dirty words here?

#6 2009-03-21 4:42 pm

Re: When, exactly, did it become OK to use dirty words here?

#7 2009-03-21 8:54 pm

Re: When, exactly, did it become OK to use dirty words here?

#8 2009-03-21 9:06 pm

Re: When, exactly, did it become OK to use dirty words here?

#9 2009-03-22 1:10 am

Re: When, exactly, did it become OK to use dirty words here?

Bren wrote:

#10 2009-03-22 6:00 pm

Re: When, exactly, did it become OK to use dirty words here?

#11 2009-03-23 7:47 am

Re: When, exactly, did it become OK to use dirty words here?

#12 2009-03-23 8:02 am

Re: When, exactly, did it become OK to use dirty words here?

#13 2009-03-23 10:09 am

Re: When, exactly, did it become OK to use dirty words here?

Bat wrote:

#14 2009-03-23 10:28 am

Re: When, exactly, did it become OK to use dirty words here?

justine wrote:

Bat wrote:

#15 2009-03-23 10:35 am

Re: When, exactly, did it become OK to use dirty words here?

justine wrote:

Bat wrote:

#16 2009-03-23 11:25 am

Re: When, exactly, did it become OK to use dirty words here?

#17 2009-03-23 1:25 pm

Re: When, exactly, did it become OK to use dirty words here?

justine wrote:

Susie wrote:

#18 2009-03-23 2:18 pm

Re: When, exactly, did it become OK to use dirty words here?

#19 2009-03-23 2:20 pm

Re: When, exactly, did it become OK to use dirty words here?

#20 2009-03-24 2:05 am

Re: When, exactly, did it become OK to use dirty words here?

mrreet2001 wrote:

#21 2009-07-28 9:31 am

Re: When, exactly, did it become OK to use dirty words here?

#22 2009-07-28 9:35 am

Re: When, exactly, did it become OK to use dirty words here?

#23 2009-07-28 10:02 am

Re: When, exactly, did it become OK to use dirty words here?

#24 2009-07-28 1:27 pm

Re: When, exactly, did it become OK to use dirty words here?

#25 2009-07-28 2:17 pm

Re: When, exactly, did it become OK to use dirty words here?

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