There is obviously a big swearing problem on funkypool.

The moderators do a fantastic job but when none are around, a lot of swear words that come up with **** do regualy occor.

I think that we should introduce the 3 strike system where if you type a bad word that requires stars to come up, you are on strike one.

If you get to 3 strikes in a certain amount of time (1 hour, a day, week??) you will be booted for 24 hours for continious sewaring.

Then if you are booted out at a set amount, you get banned (I dont know the current banning rules)

But we would have to get Nick or someone to add in more words that come up with starts.

example. the BS word comes with stars. some people type in Bull (space) then the S word or BULLS (space) then the rest, this is example, dont get me into trouble!!!!)

(you're not - but i cleaned it up just a little to make sure.spinner.)

We would have to get them "stared".

There would be ways to shortcut the system but I think the 3 strike rule will make people think before they type.

Edited by forum moderator spinner, at 07:59 Fri 16/03/07 (GMT)

I certainly support this idea. Other times it has been mentioned there have been suggestions that it only apply when there are no mods online, but personally i think it would be a good idea at all times.

No swear filter is foolproof though, and there will always be people who are immature enough to work around it, however these people usually dont last long before ending up banned.

Yeah. Excellent idea.

great idea

Thumbs up from me too, let the abusers dig a hole for themselves

Edited at 09:07 Fri 16/03/07 (GMT)

Whats interesting is that the auto-boot feature is already in existence for guests. I presume there is a reason is is not implemented for members at the moment.

Maybe it is because of hte inherent weaknesses of the swear filter? I mean it's like me in many ways, easily confused!

Personally I think it would only be an improvement.

Autobhans? hehe :)
I think we need to consider each case individually so maybe if the offenders were automatically marked for admin attention?

I did'nt mean auto baning but I got a new idea.

You are banned until you are reviewed by Admin!!

Thats exactly how it would need to work.

"You account has been disabled pending review by Admin"

Innocent until proven guilty and all that

gd idea though i am guity of saying the odd **** (but not the word)

Interesting ways this might go against you though:
- a word you might think is innocent (such as ** or **** or ******* - pmsl!) (okay...) turns out as banned and that's a strike against you
- you accidentally curse (e.g. you type "sh*t" instead or "shot" - o and i are right beside each other
- a word which is banned because it's similar to another banned word (and it banned itself as a result), and even though this variation is lighter, you still get a strike for it, e.g. spelling the f-word with kk instead of ck (don't think it's banned anyway...) (although that an example of flagrant circumvention anyway, so that probably doesn't count

I'd would rabidly support any suggestion that favours each user to set the amount of censoring he/she sees, so that one user might see **** and another, harder-to-offend player would see the word uncensored and doesn't mind at all.

I'm afraid i dont agree on the censorship level thing. For the simple reason that swearing is unnecessary at any time.

The accidental thing is taken care of with the time constraint of 3 strikes within, say 15 minutes. No normal person chatting will accidentally exceede this.

And, as said, the situation will be avaliable for review. Perhaps by mods as well as admin (to keep things moving quicker).

Many good ideas here - perhaps a trial of introducing the guest system to members would be worth a go?

double post

Edited at 00:21 Sat 17/03/07 (GMT)

It's got to rely on the people who are being abusive being reported to mods. I sometimes type **** when I miss an important ball because that's what I'm thinking at the time so that's what I type and I live in the real world where real people swear.

If it's not in a threatening way, and the fact that 4 stars block the word then what's the problem? If you are offended by the words then you shouldn't be on the internet. If someone is being abusive and rude and swearing at you then they should be banned.

Well said.

Fact is, the first one, as you said myfriendfats, could be a slip up. We all do it. But i'm sure after you do it jogs your memory not to do it again?

I agree there's a difference between swearing when you miss a shot (which is swearing at yourself) and swearing abusively at another member.

But how can you accidentally type a swearword, because that's what you happen to be thinking? It's not like saying it.

The rules of the site are simple, no swearing. So if your fingers 'accidentally' manage to type four letters and enter before your brain steps in to stop them, you're breaking the rules no matter what the excuse

As for the system-boot. It's a good idea but most people leave spaces to beat the filter, and will simply do so all the time to beat an auto-boot. So we'd actually see MORE swearwords (rather than stars) if the system were brought in.

Edited at 09:34 Sat 17/03/07 (GMT)

That last paragraphs a good point martin, but realistically I don't think it would mean more cursing. it's the swear filters existence in the first place that might have that effect.
I think it is a good idea, may not have a revolutionary effect but certainly a positive one!

aflumpire i think your idea is aload of codswollop.*playing in tornie final* "o tiddles that black would of won me the match never mind,,u played gasply well"
dont like the sound of that!

Regarding accientally typing a swear word martin - it's just heat of the moment stuff and when I'm in my own little world playing pool, my hands interact with the keyboard and I type things I would say to my opponent if we could hear each other but without thinking about it - like not conscieously typing. I know that sounds weird but it's true!

Anyway seriously guys, I really don't see why you're making such a big deal about it. It's only swearing, there are far worse things going on in the world to let some naughty words, some even simply meaning backside, bother you.

It's alright as it is - there are swear filters and mods who act, that's about all you can do.

So if someone told your 9 year old child to f off and started calling them a w...and a t.... you'd be happy with this? You say it's only swearing, but to some parents this is not 'the real world'! However i do think it's fine as it is, when in a private room with certain people (friends etc) i would use certain types of language. I don't want booting for it!

Good point and one which I didn't think of. Ok then maybe there should be more laws in the chatrooms but not the game rooms.

I like the idea too.....
Im not sure about sayin it three times in a week....as when im drunk...i might accasionally use "Star" words....Not bad ones but ones like the g** word(Sorry bout that)
But im thumbs up for the idea..