This forum is set up to have word filter and today I got filtered for typing in E R O T I C. I thought that was a bit too restrictive.

Have you had words filtered you thought were OK? Please let us know, now or in the future.

Also, what are your general thoughts on having a word filter turned on?

I haven't had anything be filtered, and although I don't generally use naughty words, language does not bother me as long as nobody's calling each other names or anything - which I don't think would happen here.

Thanks Kim. Foul language doesn't bother me either nor does adult talk on sexual matters.

Here on my thoughts on foul language as it relates to a parenting forum. My long term concern is that if we allow unrestricted language we will start to attract individuals who lack restraint, enjoy out cussing each other, and use the F word (and worse) to provoke and incite hostility. My thinking is when a person feels strongly about what they are talking about, it is good for them, and for the forum, to stay within some adult boundaries that cause them think about what they have to say. Instead of saying "That F UCKING sucks dick" they can dig a bit deeper and say something that is more interesting and challenging for others to consider.

I lean towards it being more loose than restrictive. Ideally, I would prefer not to have a filter turn on at all, but have guidelines on what is consider acceptable language for a parenting forum.

On the other forum I visit they don't have the word filter but they do have guidelines restricting the use of the "major" curse words. I personally do not use what I call the really filthy words F, GD etc and I do not like reading them at all :( I don't mind the little 4 letter words though since I let those slip on occasion :lol:

I think that if we had the guidelines and enforced it then I wouldn't mind not having the word filter turned off. But I don't want to come on and read F this and GD that on every other post either. I don't mind seeing this for example F*** since I see that in my head as fudge or some other word. I just loath seeing or hearing those words in print or hearing them IRL. Now B**** I have no problem with since that one is technically a proper word used to describe a female dog :)

Just my 2 cents :)

On the other forum I visit they don't have the word filter but they do have guidelines restricting the use of the "major" curse words. I personally do not use what I call the really filthy words F, GD etc and I do not like reading them at all :( I don't mind the little 4 letter words though since I let those slip on occasion :lol:

I think that if we had the guidelines and enforced it then I wouldn't mind not having the word filter turned off. But I don't want to come on and read F this and GD that on every other post either. I don't mind seeing this for example F*** since I see that in my head as fudge or some other word. I just loath seeing or hearing those words in print or hearing them IRL. Now B**** I have no problem with since that one is technically a proper word used to describe a female dog :)

Just my 2 cents :)
I can assure you we would never allow the use of those words here. Filter or no there is no place for language like that on a parenting forum

I have no problem with a word filter. The board I help moderate has one, although it rarely catches anything because everyone is good about language. However, occasionally a new member will post swear words and it's nice that the feature catches it. Makes life a little easier for the moderators and quickly points out the offense to the newbie. I believe admin. can also add or delete words from the filter to customize it.

After reading this thread last night, I quickly checked the filter and the word erotic was blocked. It really should not have been. When this forum first started I took many of the settings, including the filter list, from a previous forum I used to run. The word erotic would never fit at the last forum but here even though it sounds odd, that word might come up from time-to-time. :)

Now of course the other vulgar words are not intended to be displayed and they are still filtered. I will say this though, we probably only have 8-10 total words blocked. I personally have no problem adding more if and when they are abused. As others have said earlier in this thread, certain words will never have a place here. I hope that people that visit in the future will use common sense and not test things out just to see if something is filtered.

Thanks Kim. Foul language doesn't bother me either nor does adult talk on sexual matters.

Here on my thoughts on foul language as it relates to a parenting forum. My long term concern is that if we allow unrestricted language we will start to attract individuals who lack restraint, enjoy out cussing each other, and use the F word (and worse) to provoke and incite hostility. My thinking is when a person feels strongly about what they are talking about, it is good for them, and for the forum, to stay within some adult boundaries that cause them think about what they have to say. Instead of saying "That F UCKING sucks dick" they can dig a bit deeper and say something that is more interesting and challenging for others to consider.

I lean towards it being more loose than restrictive. Ideally, I would prefer not to have a filter turn on at all, but have guidelines on what is consider acceptable language for a parenting forum.

I need a "I agree, Neal" smilie as I find myself typing this too often. But I agree, Neal! :)

I prefer less restriction, with general rules that emphasize common courtesy and moderately mature behavior. Any filter can easily be evaded, and many cause unexpected problems (I know of one forum where you couldn't type "basement"). I'd rather have basic expectations and clear, consistent moderation.

Somewhat OT, I was just going to start a thread giving positive feedback on the lack of tiers and weird tier-based rules. I don't understand being so restrictive - although I do understand the concepts of internet nuts, forum-killers, and spammers - and appreciate that this site doesn't make users scramble up a bunch of tiers to do basic things like edit posts or posting links. :thumbs:

Somewhat OT, I was just going to start a thread giving positive feedback on the lack of tiers and weird tier-based rules. I don't understand being so restrictive - although I do understand the concepts of Internet nuts, forum-killers, and spammers - and appreciate that this site doesn't make users scramble up a bunch of tiers to do basic things like edit posts or posting links. :thumbs:

The whole tier thing has its pros/cons, just like the rep system. There is an audience for having tiers in parenting forums that appeals primarily to women/moms. It personally doesn't appeal to me all that much, but I recognize that I am in the minority. My hope is that quality of people and their posts are the primary attractor for other parents on the Internet who are looking for a helpful, safe, & fun forum. In other forums, I truly find it nearly impossible to create a post with the primarily intent to jack up my point count so that I reach the next level. It just makes me feel weird knowing that I'm not really saying anything of significance. However, I don't judge other's posts when they say something quick like "Hi, have a nice day", because their intent may be sincere; I personally would find it very difficult post that comment unless I meant it, so my assumption is most of the time people mean what they say.

Overall, the challenge for any forum is to somehow reward those members who bring value to the forum. I agree making people work hard for basic features (editing posts, posting links) is too restrictive. I can't say it is wrong/bad, because there are a lot of people that love that kind of thing, even if they have to spend a lot of their time/energy to achieving each level. My perspective is that then the focus is not on parenting issues, because then the forum's design is to be partly a game to keep people active in the forum, which again, is not necessarily a bad design. A parenting forum should be fun.