Does your forum use a badword filter (or censor)? Is it a very restrictive one?
Don't post the specific words you censor.
On FE we use a pretty basic one. Probably 2/5 in terms of restrictive. Basically, most of the very offensive "insults" I could think of, plus variations. 😛 We also have a thread in the staff board which lists the censored words. Otherwise it's pretty much impossible to enforce the "don't bypass the censor" rule. 😛
I voted for 3/5. I have a censor set up, and it stars out some of the word. For example, if "forum" was considered a bad word and someone put it in their post, it would turn into f***m. Certain words star out completely, so "forum" would turn into *****.
I have seen a few forums who go overboard with their censor/filters, or change the original word into something completely different (using my forum example, it would turn "forum" into "animals"). The other thing I have seen which I would never do is censored urls/web addresses. i.e (www.forumpromotion.net and "Forum Promotion" would be censored/filtered)
More than censoring 'bad' words is the general discouragement of racism, sexism, etc., passive-aggressive behavior, and arguing without bothering to support one's points.
In other words, some forums are so concerned with words at face value that they leave aside behavior of some individuals who create a 'poisonous' atmosphere while 'skirting' the rules.
By avoiding punishment for breaking rules, I mean for example such members may say hurtful things to others in a 'polite' way: i.e., with 'big' words and no obscenities, and while acting shocked that people are offended by what they say when the history of their conduct makes obvious that such a reaction is and has been desired.
It really depends on the forum atmosphere I am trying to create. Some forums I make that are a "layed back" type atmosphere don't have any word filter. If I'm trying to create a quality, serious type forum, I generally have one that's pretty strict.
On FE we do URL bans using the word censor, but only if we have reason to. We haven't banned any sites which haven't tried to post on the board or anything.
I honestly do not use one, I allow cursing to an extent. I made guidelines that basically say it has to be kept at a minimum, and if they cannot follow that then that's on them, not the other members, and I won't censor the words just because a few members abuse it.
And if you're older than 13, you have probably seen and heard most of the words that would be censored anyway, so it's not like you're hiding the words. Most cases you can tell which curse word they are saying. 😛
That, and it looks tacky in posts. I would prefer to have a few curse words here or there rather than a censor.
I don't use one. I state in the rules if swearing is permitted or not. I feel that it is the users responsibility wether or not they want to abide by that rule or not. And if they dont, it's noones fault but theirs. 😛
Pretty much mirroring what Teapot said in the above post, I too don't employ filters. Never have done. If someone wishes to pass insults or publish profanity, they'll be removed. I prefer to manage communities with a more off-hands approach, assuming everyone to be level-headed and catching folk out when they slip and start offending others.
