My formal request

Shelly,

I have seen this and will make sure it is discussed. Thanks for raising the issue.

Thank you Kate for taking my request serious and striving to provide a fair environment for the members.

Thanks, Benedict.  I, too, would like to see things stated more specifically.  Not that I'm in the habit of using vulgarity on the forum, but, for example, many of us have used abbreviations, such as "he&&" to denote the underworld.  I don't know if that is now a problem, since I don't go sifting through all the day's threads to see who the latest inking victims are, but it certainly would be helpful to have a non-arbitrary list, so that in case it is, the first time you find out doesn't have to earn you an edit.

ORIGINAL: jjsmom06

 
...I am formally requesting a list of unacceptable words/ abbreviations be posted by administration to allow members the chance to stay within the guidelines of the new TOS rules.

There are obviously quite a number of words that the majority UNDERSTANDS are unacceptable words.  But IMO, there are words/ abbreviations that have just newly been identified by admin/ moderation team as unacceptable language, that when used,  warrants a "formal warning”.  These words/ abbreviations that have been used on this forum for ages, and until today were not considered a problem.   

With respect jjsmom06, vulgarity and profanity is not part of my verbal or written language but it is normal usage for some.  I do not take offense to the use.  So in consideration for those that are sensitive I am not sure about posting "a list of unacceptable words/abbreviations" publicly would be a good idea.  It may be acceptable just to have the list of those "have been used on this forum for ages, and until today were not a problem".  Or, maybe the Admin and/or Mods can provide a grace period to allow for informal warnings and self corrections.

DPU. You bring up some good points and perhaps I should have made myself more clear. I am defiantly not suggesting that a formal list be included that actually states all the words, nor do I think that is even necessary. One can even use parts of words to allow the members to understand what word they are referring to.  Even more so than the actual words, I am concerned with abbreviations.  For example… have even abbreviations like “LMAO” become something that now constitutes a “formal warning”?  Frankly I don#%92t know that answer.  A few hours ago I thought I did and now I am unsure.  I think that perhaps this list could become part of the “reading and agreeing requirements” for all new members. Perhaps a short “grace period” for all current members so that in this case, if I used a word that had been acceptable yesterday, but today was NOT deemed acceptable I might get a little ‘tap on the shoulder” so to speak or an “uh-ah”, rather than an automatic written, formal warning that makes up one of the 3 allowed warnings one is allowed.    
 
I hope that clears things up a bit more in terms of my request.

I think we can safely assume ([8D]), a google of George Carlin's "The Seven Words You Can't Say on Television", will give us the basics...and then there are those "fuzzy", two-meaning words...

(...trying to get several Monty Python movies out of my mind). [sm=meditate.gif] 

[sm=abducted.gif] I'm starting to feel like I've crossed into the twilight zone.
 
Joyce

Jjmoms06, rule number#2 says the Admin and/or Mods will be judges and not guardians of a list.  The forum's software does filter words and replaces them with asterisks (*) before or as the word is posted.  Maybe the master list that the software references can be updated and no 'formal warning' can be given.  But my line of questioning has always been related to the word "judges", which implies at the descretion and subjectivity of the Admin and/or Mod.  As we saw in the other thread, 3 moderators passed on editing a word that seem to break rule#2 while one recognized it as a violation.  Like you, I am just seeking an understanding and trying to be proactive before I get into a 'STRIKE' situation.
 
Rule 2: Vulgarities will not be tolerated
Vulgarities, whether they be language, images or other offensive material, including, but not limited to, race, nudity or pornography will not be tolerated. The administrators and moderators shall be the sole judges of what does and does not violate the board's standards.

I guess I'm just thick but I really don't understand what all this concern about what we can and cannot post is all about. I have a pretty clear understanding as to what is vulgar or offensive and I don't use them. Most times it's not even the word or phrase, it's the context. Any word used in a derogatory way can be offensive - like 'treat dispenser'. Will that ve on the list? I say use your judgement. If you happened to get edited, so what. You get a strike, so what. It's not like you are going to prison - and you will also know not to use that again.

You get a strike, so what.

I don't think it's the idea of getting a strike that worries people.  I think it's the idea that their posting privileges would somehow be permanently revoked for infractions that are pretty arbitrary, and that have not prompted a response from mods in the past. 

I guess I'm just thick but I really don't understand what all this concern about what we can and cannot post is all about. I have a pretty clear understanding as to what is vulgar or offensive and I don't use them. Most times it's not even the word or phrase, it's the context. Any word used in a derogatory way can be offensive - like 'treat dispenser'. Will that ve on the list? I say use your judgement. If you happened to get edited, so what. You get a strike, so what. It's not like you are going to prison - and you will also know not to use that again.

The fact of the matter is Denise,  that when one day you can use an abbreviation that has been allowed on this board, and then the next day, without being told otherwise, that same abbreviated used constitutes a FORMAL STRIKE, that may lead to a temporary or permanent suspension, THAT is a problem for me.  Like DPU, I want to know ahead of time what is going to get me into trouble because even though the majority of words MIGHT be OBVIOUS to most of us, it has been demonstrated that there are some circumstances, where something that was OK to use not even a week ago, today is NOT OK to use.

I am stepping away from this discussion now as I do not want to overstep what may now be considered "inappropriate boundaries”.  I simply wanted to make a formal request to admin and the moderation team and I have been assured by Benedict that this issue and my request will be discussed.  I trust that they are looking for a fair resolution to this problem.  

Do not worry..Anyone wanting a list may contact me via PM...Shelly,I will pm you personally with a list of vulgarities..

 Beastiallty,especially with horses,Is most definitely a no no...

Edited because my funny pic was not popular [8D]

I'm not sure what this above is, but I'm pretty sure it's not contributing anything valid to this discussion.
 
Back on topic, a few new words have been added to the filter that would have no place being used on a family forum.  There will be no further additions to the filter unless a term or abbreviation starts to be heavily used in a derogatory way, if that happens the term will be discussed. W[color=#06060f]e reserve the right to edit out individual instances of accepted words if they are obviously intended to wound.[/color]