User configurable profanity filter

[Ouch]

Here's an idea.

I know in WB, the 'profanity' filter was a big looser when it was put in.  Part of it was the typical "IT'S CENSORSHIP! IT MUST BE EVIL!" kneejerk reactions.

What I would like to see is a toggle that would automatically replace (just like in WB) the offencing letters with *** or ___ or &^((=%^ or whatever.   If I don't want my children to see the foul language, or if it offends me, I can turn it off.

And I *KNOW* that some id's and some town names, and other normal language would be occasionally filtered.  It would be a choice that *I* would make.  It would also put the Processor hit on MY machine, and not slow down the servers.

(This is a very sore point with me.  I just reopened my account, and now am closing it because my 4 year old daughter is learning to read over my shoulder.)

ouch out

[Karnak]

Sounds good to me.  I like anything that empowers a person without hurting others.

Sisu
-Karnak

[SpyHawk]

There you go. I like that suggestions.

I hate any kind of censorship.

But this is great. I always tell people, "you don't want to hear it? Then turn it off!"

That's what this idea is. That's what's great about it. You don't want to hear my "adult language"? Then just turn it off.

[joness]

Why do people type profanities anyway? Sounds kinda stupid, its not like you get rid of any steam

[miko2d]

 Consider this, joness:
 Look at the stupid things top politicians, scientists and military commanders do. That is despite the fact that their intelligence is way above average - no less then 80th percentile (smarter then 80 out of 100 people). Now the average person is in the 50th percentile - way dumber. We (the average people) are pretty stupid  
 Besides, you do not need many jerks on channel 1 to spoil everybody's mood - a couple will do.
miko

[Ice]

Hiyas Ouch!

I have 4 kids ages 6-12....my 11 yr old son loves to watch me fly, however, until this is corrected, I do not allow him to watch any longer.

I flew against ya and with ya in WB's...hate to see a good guy like yourself not fly due to others lack of respect for the community.

Fire that account up and trust HTC to fix this...my son understands why I won't let him watch any longer and he knows that as soon as HTC fixes this, he's back in the right seat

Take care!

I'm Out!

[Minotaur]

Ouch;

First off I respect you tremendously for not initially wanting the system changed, but only changing what you could.  That is removing that envoirment from you children.

I have had many ideas on this subject, many run more or less along the lines that you have suggested.

However; the easiest solution for HTC (from a non-programers standpiont  ) to implement would probably be to allow any channel to be squelched.  Not just channel 1, but any channel.  

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Mino
The Wrecking Crew

"Who's next?"
Naso

[StSanta]

Ok, please don't take this the wrong way, parents, as I am not one  

Why "protect" your kids from profanity? What's so dangerous about it?

Sure, an ugly language is annoying, but exposing kids to it doesn't automatically lead to bad language. Exposing it as what it might do more good. Kids might use it, but I believe parents have enough authority to ban it in the home.

I mean, they watch violent films, they talk to their friends, who inevitably picks up a few choice words from their pals, and the ride goes on. Discovery Channel introduces them to basically the same mating procedure we humans so much enjoy.

What I am asking, basically, is what use it is to protect yer kids from something they *will* be exposed to by normal social interactions and educational tv?

As I've said, I ain't a parent, and I am quite sure I am missing an important point, which is why I am asking  . Maybe it is the watering down process, i.e it becomes so common that it becomes acceptable in a way, and they use it even at home? Or that it's just plain ugly and you want a zero tolerance towards it, including tv and games etc?

--
StSanta
JG54 "Grünherz"

[JoeMud]

First words to come out of my mouth where oscarhole. But im sure you dont want your kids to end up like me so...SQUELCH IT MAN!

[Karnak]

StSanta,
One good reason is because it frequently involves things that we don't want them thinking about, getting curious about or asking questions about.

Young children need time to be children.  There is plenty of time for that stuff once they get older.

'Course, I imagine the challenge is to keep them from doing something irreversible after their hormones start making them think about such things regardless of what they've heard.  It doesn't help if they have already heard the words or know what they mean when they're 6, 8 or 10.

Another reason is because those words aren't polite.  There is no reason to insist that we help vulgarize society.  Hollywood is doing that quite well enough without our help.

Being polite is not a personal shortcomming, even if pop culture wants us to think that it is.  Being polite does not mean one is a wimp.

Sisu
-Karnak

[eagl]

Joness,

People type profanity because otherwise there's no way to call someone an bellybutton or any number of other (worse) words.  Really  

I like the idea of a configurable text filter too, but all things considered I'd honestly prefer that the HTC crew didn't waste much time on it.  IMHO.


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eagl <squealing Pigs> BYA
Oink Oink To War!!!

[-duma-]

This shouldn't be too hard to program, just as long as HTC doesn't make it compulsory.

Just because if we have a compulsory swearfilter, we'll get all the substitutes like $h1t, oscarh0le and so on, and the off-coloured water end of the US genepool ranting on about how the constitution clearly states that every man should be able to swear in whatever company at all times. (That's what freedom of speech actually means, don't you know...)

No offence, Joe.

Well, maybe just a little.  

[Pavel]

Dear Ouch,

Sounds like a great idea.  If the filter has a toggle (such as the combat trim one) and each user can identify whatever words he considers offensive, this concept is a solid winner.  This adequately answers the "Who's gonna take the performance hit" and "Who gets to say what words are 'bad'" objections to a filtering mechanism.  I'd really like to see this soon given how [relatively] easy it ought to be to implement and how many reasonable concerns it would address.   I assume it could filter the entire radio buffer, to include handles and squad names.

[JoeMud]

Yeah them there papers also state that I can carry this here SKS with 75 round drum.

No offense ;-)

Ya damned brit

[This message has been edited by JoeMud (edited 09-21-2000).]

[funked]

I know for a fact that the abusive language in the arenas is causing HTC to lose business.

I think a filter would be a great feature, along with a persistent squelch command.

BTW Santa the reason you don't expose kids to foul language is because they pick it up real fast.  If someone hears that kind of garbage constantly when they are still young and developing their vocabulary, it's pretty hard to "un-learn" it.  Then you end up with a kid who can't get through a job interview without saying "sweet" every other word...

[This message has been edited by funked (edited 09-21-2000).]